Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2015
3
Speaking of the 2016 convention, now is a great time
to begin making your plans to attend! The dates will
be July 21-24 which is the Thursday through Sunday
format we had this past summer. We have already
started making plans and can share a few things with
you. First, we are pleased to announce that DCI will
be back in San Antonio and we are working with them
to be a part of our convention. We have invited the
East Texas Symphonic Band to perform as a part of our
Community Band Series. The ETSB was named the 2014
Outstanding Community Band of North America and is
the 2015 recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s
Sudler Silver Scroll Award. Our featured composer is Eric
Whitacre and our Featured Clinician is Gary Green who
recently retired as the Director of Bands of the University
of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Let me also encourage
you to submit clinic topics and possible clinicians for
next years’ convention. Texas is a large and diverse state
and we want to be sure we are helping to meet all of your
needs. So mark the dates on your calendar and check the
TBA website for continuing updates.
In addition to our 2016 Convention/Clinic, TBA
will host clinics throughout the school year designed
to help you. The TBA Professional Development
Outreach Program is made possible by sponsors
D’Addario Woodwinds, ProMark, and Evans. With
their sponsorship, we are able to bring excellent
presentations throughout the state at a low cost of $10
to all attendees. This year’s schedule is listed on the back
cover of this magazine and check the TBA website to
access additional information.
Finally, it is truly an honor for my wife Monica and
me to serve on the Board of Directors of the Texas
Bandmasters Association and to be your next President.
TBA has been a special part of our lives and my career. I
remember when I first began teaching and Butch Almany
toldme to packmy bags because we were going to the TBA
convention. All it took was one time and I was hooked.
Since then I have attended 26 straight conventions and
would not even think about missing one. I look forward
to serving the band directors and students of this great
state and wish all the best throughout this school year.
