Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2015
19
All day Thursday at the convention, as directors
listened to recordings, attended clinics, and got
reacquainted with colleagues from around the
state, over 155 young teachers and directors new
to Texas took part in the fifth year of the TBA
Academy for New Band, Choir, and Orchestra
Directors. The Academy is an intensive, daylong
session that connects the dots between university
training and the expectations on the job. Topics
included classroom management, discipline and
motivation, legal issues facing music teachers,
communicating with administration, the role
of TMEA, UIL and TEA, professional growth,
dealing with parents, booster clubs, proper money
management, professionalism, and taking care
of your personal finances. Special thanks to the
Academy’s “All-Star” faculty: Brad Kent, Robert
Floyd, Tom Waggoner, Dianne Brumley, Reagan
Brumley, Mary Havenstrite, Jeremy Strickland,
Holly Wardell, Rick Ghinelli, Christina Walk,
JD Janda, Joe Clark, and Tim Lautzenheiser.
Additional thanks to Bruce Beach, Billy Talley,
Jason Thibodeaux, Mike Brashear, Sharon Lutz,
and Academy Coordinator Brian Merrill.
The TBA Academy will be back again for 2016.
Everyone involved in the hiring of new teachers
should encourage attendance to the Academy.
Young directors that have been through this training
are better prepared to assume the professional
responsibilities of a music educator.
TBA Academy 2015
Brian Merrill
“I was feeling nervous and scared about my first year of
teaching. This all day session helped me now feel
surrounded by a community which is supportive and
I am excited to start my career.”
Kelsey Brennecke, First Baptist Academy
Rhodes Middle School, San Antonio ISD
“Coming from out of state, the TBA Academy has given me
extremely valuable insight and information about being a
music teacher in Texas.”
Tim Lyen, Lamar CISD
“This is my second time to attend the Academy. I find the information invaluable as a young director.
The Academy addresses topics I wouldn’t have considered and points you in the direction of resources
and materials. I cannot recommend this session enough to anyone new to teaching.”
Daniel Person, Northside ISD
“If you are looking to start off your first year at your absolute best,
the TBA Academy is a no-brainer, non-negotiable resource!”
Alex Johnson, Keller ISD
“The TBA Academy is a
wonderful opportunity
for new teachers to
become aware of
important information
our professors didn’t have
time to cover in class.
I am so glad this resource
is available to me and
I highly recommend all
new teachers attend.”
Stephen Van Hooser
Richardson ISD
“I feel refreshed, reassured, and ready to rock my first year!”
JaRod Hall, Frisco ISD
