Page 11 - 2017-BMR-September

“…and so it will be…”

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: “Out and-soul of our music family. Music Texas music teachers are
of chaos comes order.” If so, then educators everywhere have set aside synonymous with setting the standards
our professional community has their present-moment agendas to aid and going above and beyond the
predictably answered the call with in the rebuilding process, and —if call of duty. The personal resolve
a sense of purpose-’n-mission beyond you will—is the genesis of bringing demonstrated throughout your history
measure. Mother Nature’s wrath ORDER to the CHAOS. Without is the fabric of excellence…and what a
wreaked havoc on our colleagues in question, the PHOENIX will rise from grand tapestry it is.
Texas and Louisiana and within minutes the ashes and the unlimited potential The spirit of music
the phone lines were overflowing with of people-helping-people will be reigns supreme.
concerned people centered on the evidenced time and time again.
prevailing universal theme: “WE ARE
READY AND WILLING TO DO HARMONY: Agreement and concord
Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser is a trusted friend
WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET between people and groups.
to anyone interested in working with young
YOUR LIVES BACK IN ORDER. The HARMONY we seek in our people in developing a desire for excellence
YOU CAN COUNT ON US.” ensembles is also the driving force that and a passion for high level achievement.
His career involves ten years of successful
None of us had a college class fuels this larger-than-life marathon
college band directing and three years with
entitled “PROPER RESPONSE TO A that lies ahead. Who better to tackle McCormick’s Enterprises working as Executive
NATURAL DISASTER 101.” Course the steep climb than those who Director of Bands of America. In 1981, he
created Attitude Concepts for Today, Inc., an
syllabus would include the keys to understand what it takes to create and organization designed to manage the requests
surviving and thriving following sustain HARMONY. Music educators for presentations. Dr. Tim presently serves as
the unprecedented devastation of a are MASTERS at transforming Vice President of Education for Conn-Selmer,
Inc., Senior Educational Advisor for Music
powerful, record-breaking hurricane dissonance and cacophony into for All and NAMM (The International Music
and the beyond-comprehension harmonious beauty, and they refuse to Products Association) and is an adjunct faculty
member at Ball State University (Earl Dunn
resulting damage. give-up or give-in. Instead they reveal
Distinguished Lecturer), Indiana-Purdue/Ft.
Even if such a (hypothetical) a level of commitment and dedication Wayne University, and Butler University. In
curricular requisite did exist, it could unexpected in common hours as they addition, he serves on The Midwest Clinic Board
of Directors and the Western International
not adequately prepare anyone for courageously persist until the job is
Band Clinic/American Band College Board of
the reality of Hurricane Harvey’s done…and so it will be. Directors.
uninvited visit. With that said, we
now begin to witness a groundswell of
support focusing on putting the pieces
Rudyard Kipling said it best in his well-known poem,
of the puzzle back together, and —in
The Law of the Jungle.
doing so—realizing: “The synergy of Now here is the LAW OF THE JUNGLE,
cooperation can (and will) win-out in it’s as true and as blue as the sky;
the restoration process.” And those who obey it shall prosper,
The quick response of TMEA, TBA, but those who deny it shall die.
TCDA, TODA, ATSSB, and TMAC As the serpent who slithers the tree-trunk,
stands as a positive testimony to the LAW runneth forward and back—
the pro-action needed to embrace For the strength of the pack is each wolf,
the challenges at hand. It is a bold but the strength of each wolf is the pack.
reminder of the invincible heart-

Bandmasters Review • September 2017 9 Texas Bandmasters Association