Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2014
4
I am very excited and humbled to be asked to serve
the directors of Texas as a member of the Board of
Directors for TBA. I can still remember my first trip to
San Antonio for All-State as well as my first trip to the
TBA convention upon graduating from college. I have
always admired the Texas Bandmasters
Association as an organization that has
the unique ability to tie together the
traditions of the past with a vision for the
future. Over the years, the organization
and the convention have served so
many by providing an opportunity to
reconnect, recharge, and be reminded
that we belong to a larger society of
difference makers. At the convention I
have had the wonderful opportunity to
learn from some of the most influential
teachers in our profession, to collaborate
with marvelous musicians, and to give
back to the profession through clinics
and presentations. I am looking forward
to continuing to serve our state and the
profession as a member of the Board of
Directors.
As a university band director I enjoy
the responsibility of helping to shape
the future music educators of our
state. Students entering our profession
now have many more teaching tools
at their disposal than ever before. With so much
emphasis in our society on technology and speed, it
is more important than ever that we make sure that
musical ability, mastery of content and the ability
to communicate, inspire and motivate are the most
important tools our young teachers develop as they
enter our profession. I have been excited to watch as
TBA developed the Academy for young teachers to
assist with this continued growth.
I firmly believe that when we teach students about
music at any level, we are offering them an opportunity
to be part of a wonderful community.
We have all heard enumerated many
times the benefits for students who are
part of a band program, but I think that
we often forget what enormous benefits
there are for us as educators. I often
tell students that I am privileged to
work in a profession where I get to do
what I love—share my knowledge and
passion for music with others. While
your students will continue on in any
number of different professions, they
will undoubtedly remember and be
affected by the passion for music and
learning that you demonstrate each day.
We all have the opportunity each day to
inspire those around us. Who could ask
for a better thing to do with our lives?
I know that the Texas Bandmasters
Association will continue to be a won-
derful resource for us all as we learn
how to be better music educators, better
musicians, and better leaders. My wife
Amy and I look forward to serving TBA
and working with the outstanding educators on the
Board of Directors in the years to come.
I wish you a wonderful year and thank you again for
the opportunity to assist TBA in helping you achieve
your professional goals and continuing the wonderful
tradition of band in Texas.
From the Board
Phi l l ip Clements, 2014 - 15 TBA Sergeant-at-Arms
“ I have always
admired the Texas
Bandmasters
Associat ion as
an organizat ion
that has the
unique abi l i ty to
t ie together the
tradi t ions of the
past wi th a vision
for the future. ”