Page 5 - Bandmasters Review - 2017 June

From the Board

practice, evaluation and learning from the best. I can think Highlights for this year’s convention include Larry
of no better place and time to grow as a band director than Livingston (Featured Clinician) presenting clinics, one of
our annual Texas Bandmasters Association Convention/ which will have a demonstration band. Brian Balmages
Clinic (July 20-22). The convention schedule is slightly (Featured Composer) will present two clinics. His music
different this year so make sure you are planning ahead to will be showcased by the excellent Plano Community Band
make the most of our summer convention. The convention lead by their director, Joe Frank Jr. TBA has commissioned
begins on Thursday morning (July 20) with great clinics Mr. Balmages to write a UIL-type grade 3 piece to celebrate
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and honor band listening. So out-of-town band directors the 70 TBA Convention/Clinic. This world premier will
will want to arrive Wednesday night to take full advantage be performed by the United States Coast Guard Band on
of the convention schedule. The Exhibit Hall will be open Friday evening in the Lila Cockrell Theatre. I would like
on Friday (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) to thank the band directors and programs across the state
This year we will have exclusive Exhibit Hall time (when that have taken part in this consortium and for making this
no clinics and concerts are presented) to better support our commission possible.
vendors who make our convention possible. In addition to the USCG Band, the United States
As you look through the Schedule of Events listed in Air Force Band of the West and Dimensions in Blue
this magazine or on the interactive schedule online at will be sharing a concert on Thursday night. Joining
texasbandmasters.org, you will see a great lineup of clinics Dimensions in Blue will be two outstanding jazz soloist,
that pertain to middle school, high school, university, Wayne Bergeron and Joe Eckert. This will be a concert
marching band, color guard, percussion, concert band that you will not want to miss. In addition, we will have a
(beginner, intermediate, advanced), jazz and mariachi. As concert and clinic by the Konko Gakuen Wind Orchestra
you can see by the schedule, this convention has some of from Japan. Reading sessions will be presented by the
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the very best in our profession presenting clinics to educate 323 Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own”, San Antonio Jazz
and inspire us all. Orchestra and Phi Beta Mu Reading Band.
I want to remind everyone that for every clinic and Along with all of our award recipients, I am especially
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concert that you attend at TBA, you can receive professional looking forward to hearing from our 70 TBA Bandmaster
development hours since the entire convention takes place of the Year, Dr. Matthew McInturf at our annual business
outside the school day/calendar. This is an excellent luncheon on Saturday. Our convention will conclude
opportunity to earn your CPE and GT hours if your district Saturday night with the Barbeque and/or the DCI
has this requirement. Competition in the Alamodome. Our Spouses’ Board led
If you know of someone who is new to our profession by my wife Leslie has some great events planned for the
or new to Texas, I would strongly encourage them to TBA Spouses and families (see page 10). Spouses can be
attend the TBA Academy which takes place on the first registered on Active and Retired TBA members’ registration
day of the convention (Thursday). This one day is packed forms.
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with excellent leaders sharing information that will be Attending the 70 TBA Convention/Clinic is a great way
invaluable for teachers new to our profession or new to to make sure you have a “successful” year. Make certain
Texas. that you plan to attend this summer and encourage your
With more than 80 of Texas finest directors will be colleagues to attend. This is a convention that you will not
presenting clinics, there will be something for everyone! want to miss.

Bandmasters Review • June 2017 3 Texas Bandmasters Association