Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • April 2014
6
A Spotlight On . . .
Contributions of
Influential Texas Women Band Directors
Greetings from TBA! I hope your
spring contest season is going well
and that your bands perform at
their very best. Even though the
ratings and awards
will always be an
important factor in
measuring success,
just remember that
you alone know how
far the students have
progressed this year.
Sometimes the full
story is not always
tied to a number.
Enjoy making music with your
students and inspire them to be life-
long supporters of the arts. Have a
great finish to your year!
Register now and obtain your
housing for TBA this summer. This
convention is not to be missed!
More than 60 clinics, great concerts,
and traditional spouse and family
activities are planned. Many clinics
will utilize demonstration groups
and several designed especially for
the MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
will be offered. Read about the clinics
and activities starting on page 24.
During my lifetime as a band
student and director, one of the
most significant changes in the band
world is the growing number of
women band directors and their
tremendous impact on Texas bands.
In fact, in the twenty-first century it
would be hard to imagine our band
world without the contributions of
women band directors. However,
this has not always been the case.
Back in the ‘40s,
‘50s, and even ‘60s,
for the most part
Texas bands were
being developed
primarily by men.
Young women were
not encouraged
to become band
directors and in
many cases were told
that band directing is a man’s world.
So how did we get from this
scenario to the present day where
women band directors are successful
at every level from elementary to
university teaching? And, in addition
to producing many of the finest band
programs in the state, women have
also become outstanding leaders in
our profession.
This summer, one of the clinics at
the conventionwill address this topic
and offer insights into our history.
These early women “pioneers” are
the ones we thank for breaking
the gender barrier and opening the
way for future generations which
led to the successes of the present
day. I am sure there will be plenty
of stories, laughter, and lots of fond
memories shared by the panel.
Barbara Lambrecht is leading the
panel which includes Diane Baker,
Marilyn Bennett, Cindy Lansford,
and Marion West. This clinic is
a great opportunity for current
directors to learn more about Texas
band history—don’t miss this one!!
Barbara wants your input.
Here is a list of some women who
were influential from the ‘40s to the
early ‘80s. We know that there are
more women and information that
should be added. Contact Barbara
with additions and especially stories
of women directors who influenced
you. Her cell is (915) 433-6451 and
email is
lambrechtr@aol.com.
Michael Brashear, Execut ive Director
Aust in/San Antonio
BettyBiershenck-Pierce -Austin, RoundRock
Beth Bronk - New Braunfels ISD, Texas
Lutheran University
Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt - Texas State University
Verna Covington - Fullmore JH, Porter JH,
Austin;
Hall of Fame-1991
PaulaCrider -AustinCrocketHS,Universityof
Texas at Austin;
First woman head high
schooldirectorinTexas;HallofFame-2011
Cheryl Floyd - Hill Country MS,
Murchinson MS
Diane Gorzycki - 1975-2006 Seguin,
Austin Porter and Bailey MS;
Hall of Fame-2010
Verda Herrington - 1961-92 Midland,
Klein, Austin, Pflugerville;
Hall of
Fame-2002
Linda McDavitt - 1969-2001 Austin,
Dripping Springs, TCU, Converse
Judson;
Hall of Fame-2012
Carol Nelson - McCallum HS, Austin
Pat Norton - 1955, 1967-98 Brownsville,
Luling, Marion, Scherz, Seguin;
Hall of Fame-2002
Dana Pradervand - Lubbock, San Antonio,
New Braunfels, The Woodlands
Paulette Rainey - Austin