Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2015
2
By now, the school year is off and
running! Hopefully you and your
students have found that groove
that keeps everything moving
forward, and your band is making
progress each day. The remarkable
thing about our profession is that
we get the chance to impact the
lives of the students we see each
day and build relationships that last
a lifetime. I have been teaching for
25 years now (all at Lindale) and
each year, more and more of my
former students walk through the
band hall doors with a new sixth
grade band student in tow. The
greeting always begins with a big
hug followed by my former student
introducing their child to me and
going on and on about how much
fun band was and how they cannot
wait for their child to have that
same experience. Therein lies the
true reward in what we do. So as
you progress throughout the year
from marching contest to all region
tryouts, parades, concerts and all
the other things we do, remember
that you make a difference in the
lives of each and every student that
crosses your path.
The 2015 Convention/ Clinic was
a huge success. I would like to
thank Presidents Bruce and Alma
Beach for their work and dedication
in putting together a wonderful
event for our directors, students,
families and business members. The
schedule included concerts by the
Boston Brass, US Air Force Band of
the West, and five community bands
including the Naperville Community
Band from Naperville, Illinois, which
has been in existence since 1859. In
addition, there were over 60 clinics
(designed to help directors at every
level to be their best), a packed house
for Student Day, and a great
Academy workshop for our newest
teachers. This year also included
two new events for the Spouses: a
demonstration at the Garcia Art Class
Studio and a tour of the Jingu House
and Japanese Tea Garden. As you can
tell TBA has something for everyone
and should definitely be on your list
of things to do next summer.
A special thank you goes out
to TBA Executive Director Mike
Brashear, Exhibitor and Ad
Manager Robin Tovar and Director
of Web Development Justin
Young for their professionalism
and
dedication
to
TBA.
We are fortunate to have this
incredible team that not only
organizesawonderfulconventionbut
helps run TBA throughout the year.
I would also like to thank Pricilla
Brashear for her leadership of the
TBA Spouses Board. TBA is unique
in that we not only put an emphasis
on helping the band directors across
the state to reach their full potential,
but we also promote family. The TBA
Spouses Board does a wonderful job
of fulfilling this mission and could
not do it without Priscilla’s help and
leadership. During the convention,
we are blessed to have the help of
several other individuals who are
a vital part of running a successful
convention. I would like to thank
Past President Brian Merrill for his
work with the Academy, Frank
Troyka for his work with Student
Day, Chuck Kuentz for facilitating
our clinicians and logistics, Past
President Charlie Munsell for his
work as stage and equipment
manager, and Kimberly Young for
her help with registration. What a
great team we have at TBA!
Each year at TBA we say hello
to a new board member and bid a
fond farewell to our Past Presidents.
Richard and Lucinda Herrera, along
with their son Baylor, leave the
board after seven years of service.
It has been a privilege to serve with
this family and to be able to call
them friends. On behalf of the TBA
Board, Staff, and membership, let me
say thank you for your leadership,
service and friendship. You will be
missed! I am also excited to welcome
our newest board members, Roland
and Jackie Sandoval, and their son
Nathan to the TBA Board. I look
forward to working with them and
the other Board members to bring
you a wonderful convention in 2016.
From the Board
Steven Moore, 2015 - 16 TBA President
