Page 6 - 2017-BMR-September
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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
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