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From the Board
Jeff King, 2017-18 TBA Past President
As I write my last article for the Bandmaster Review, This past June at a band director
I cannot help but to reflect on my past six years serving workshop at SMU, I asked the
on the Board of Directors for TBA. I can honestly say that following:
serving the band directors of Texas has been one of the 1. Name 3 things that your
most rewarding experiences in my career. Working with administration can do to support
and getting to know other board members from across your program.
the state has been gratifying on so many levels. We are all 2. Name 3 things that you can
fortunate to be working in the best state in the country to do to support your administration.
be a band director. I have been fortunate to witness the As we begin this new school year, I challenge you all
growth and quality of band programs over my 34-year to think about how you would answer these statements,
career. It is both inspiring and humbling to see the growth especially #2. By supporting your local administration and
of quality band programs in Texas. school, we all benefit. We all want our programs to be the
I am going to go out on a limb (because remember I am very best they can be and so do your administrators. Ask
a “tree” guy) and thank all of the people who made the not what your administrators can do for you, but what
2017 TBA Convention/Clinic a huge success. The combined you can do for your administrators.
efforts of our TBA Board/Spouses (Chico and Reagan Whether you are a new teacher, 30-year veteran or
Portillo, John and Dena Morrison, Phil and Amy Clements, somewhere in-between, I believe that we all want to
Roland and Jackie Sandoval, Danny and Ruth Allen, become the best band director that we can be. One of the
Steven and Monica Moore as well as Leslie King), TBA staff best ways to do this is to observe other band programs and/
members (Mike Brashear, Robin Tovar, Justin Young), extra or have one of the many great band directors in your area
convention help (Brian Merrill, Tom Harrington, Priscilla come work with your band. I am constantly reminded how
Brashear, Frank Troyka, Michelle Gordon, Charlie Munsell, much that I do not know and the tremendous resources
Chuck and Sue Kuentz, Kim Young, Al and Jan Sturchio), that are available to me. There is a wealth of experience
clinicians, performers and the hundreds of convention and knowledge from our retired band directors across the
workers all came together to organize, create and provide state. We are ultimately a mix of all of the band directors
a fantastic convention. I hope you enjoyed the clinics and and other musicians that we have come in contact with.
concerts as much as I did. We are very fortunate to work In addition, attending the TBA Convention/Clinic every
and live in a state where we have so many talented band summer is one of the best ways to improve and grow as a
directors and musicians who are willing to share their band director. TBA President Chico Portillo is spearheading
knowledge and talents. This mindset of volunteerism and an excellent summer convention for 2018. I would like to
selfless contributions back to our profession is what makes welcome George and Karen Little to the TBA Board. These
Texas the very best place to be a band director. are terrific people that will make great contributions to
With the hundreds of volunteer hours from all of our organization. Although Steven and Monica Moore
these selfless people, I am reminded of President John have moved off the board, they will be dear friends and
F. Kennedy’s famous lines from his inaugural speech on colleagues for life. Their dedication to TBA was endless.
January 20, 1961, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask The TBA Board and staff is here to serve you. I hope that
not what your country can do for you —ask what you everyone has a great year of teaching, finding the best in
can do for your country.” He went on to say, “My fellow yourself, administrators and your students.
citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for
you, but what together we can do for the freedom of
man.”
Bandmasters Review • September 2017 4 Texas Bandmasters Association