Page 9 - 2017-BMR-September

TBA News

Michael Brashear, TBA Executive Director

The 2017 TBA Annual Convention/Clinic was a huge decided to interrupt the
success and I want to thank YOU for attending! I hope normal activities. Hurricane
that you left San Antonio revived, inspired, and ready with Harvey unleashed its force
new information to start another school year. While our upon the Texas coast and over
annual convention is the primary way that TBA fulfills 40% of the state’s population
our mission statement, we offer several other resources for was affected. We were all
band directors during the school year. The Bandmasters amazed at the efforts of
Review, our quarterly publication, neighbors
is mailed to all Active and Retired TBA offers resources helping neighbors, and we observed the
Members and Business Members, and for band directors during very best in human nature in the face
features several articles that provide the school year: of an overwhelming challenge. The fine
a wealth of information on band arts community also quickly became
pedagogy and motivation. TBA hosts Bandmasters Review engaged. I attended a meeting in Tomball
several Professional Development articles on band pedagogy hosted by J.D. Janda, Tomball ISD Fine
Outreach clinics throughout the and motivation Arts Director, and Monte Mast, Klein
state during the year. See the back Professional Development ISD Fine Arts Director, to brainstorm
cover of this magazine for upcoming Outreach Program ideas for assisting those affected by
events and check our website for Video Clips on Hurricane Harvey. Representatives from
additional updates. At these sessions, Instructional Tips TMEA, ATSSB, TCDA, TODA, other
presenters give in-depth information Houston area arts groups, and several
and attendees earn several hours of Convention Handouts and companies met with Fine Arts Directors
CPE credit. Another resource that TBA Bandmasters Review from the area. After much discussion, it
offers all directors is access to archives articles on TBA website was decided that TMEA would develop
of Bandmasters Review articles and a website where those affected by
convention handouts on our website. You are able to Harvey could post their needs and those willing to help
download, read, and print any of that material. Go to www. could see the needs.
texasbandmasters.org and look under the Resources Tab at TBA is happy to partner with TMEA to encourage our
the top of the home page. New for this school year, TBA members to reach out to those affected by the devastation
will be emailing our members video clips that will offer of Hurricane Harvey. Some band programs have already
more instructional tips from leading educators. I encourage “adopted” others and offered assistance. This would be a
you to take advantage of all resources that TBA provides as great way to connect your program, students, and boosters
you strive to become a better band director. with a band program needing assistance. By going to
One of the highlights of the 2017 Convention/Clinic https://help.goarts.org, you will be able to find a program
was the premiere of “Devil’s Perspective”—the winning in need and work with that director. See page 8 for details.
submission to our student melody competition. We The TBA Board of Directors is already busy planning for
are pleased to announce that we will again offer our 2018 Convention/Clinic. We want your suggestions for
a TBA/KHS America Academic Student Melody clinic topics and clinicians. Go to our homepage and look
Competition in 2018. Please announce this to your for 2018 Clinic Proposals. Click on the top link if you
budding composers and theory students. Look for more are a music educator wishing to propose a clinic. Business
information in our December Bandmasters Review. Members use the lower link.
While Texas high school bands were starting school Have a great fall semester as you make a difference in a
and preparing for their first football games, Mother Nature positive way for each one of your students!!

Bandmasters Review • September 2017 7 Texas Bandmasters Association