Page 5 - 2018-BMR-December

The Gift of Service

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Daniel Allen, 2018 19 TBA Tresurer

At this time of year, we all tend to be in a giving frame TMEA has several elected
of mind. Service is a great opportunity to give back to our Region Officer positions that
profession…and there are ways to serve in many capacities you could consider. These
and at many different levels. “To Lead is to Serve” is one of positions are elected at the
those axioms that I have heard forever; even going back to Spring Meeting every two
my high school Drum Major camp days listening to Dr. Tim years. What a great chance for you to not only serve your
speak to many eager student leaders. And it is SO very true!! fellow music educators, but also represent the Region at
As a Band Director, we have so many avenues in which the State level.
service is needed. Here are a few suggestions: The TMEA Mentoring program is another opportunity
At Your Campus for you to work with a younger director and help provide
Most schools have a Campus Improvement Team an instant “phone call away” resource. This can be such a
(CIT) consisting of teachers, administrators, and parents. rewarding experience by getting to share ideas and learn
Depending on the district, this body sets campus wide policy new things yourself from another colleague.
and helps guide many campus based decisions. Having a UIL has the Music Advisory Committee made up of
voice on this committee can definitely help promote and members from each region. This committee has input
defend Fine Arts at your campus. Hey, you might even get a to UIL on many important matters and again, allows an
free lunch whenever the CIT has a meeting!! opportunity for you to share ideas from your local region
Other campus based committees might be available to the State UIL Office.
and having the Band Director on board shows the other TBA also has the Region Rep position which is selected
teachers and administration that you are a TEAM PLAYER by your TBA Board Member every two years. If you are
and have a vested interest in things outside of Band. This interested in this opportunity, please reach out to your TBA
helps build relationships with Admin and fellow teachers Board Member and let them know.
that can benefit you and your program in the future. At The State Level
At The Region Level For both the TMEA and TBA conventions, there are
This is where I learned so much in my first five to ten MANY service opportunities available. This could include
years of teaching. I started off helping someone that was helping monitor or preside over a clinic, actually presenting
organizing an all region band. Then, a few years later, a clinic, judging All State Auditions, assisting with Honor
I was the organizer. It was great to coordinate with the Band listening sessions, helping with tabulation during
clinician and I learned so much from working with them the All State auditions, assisting with the All State Student
throughout the Region Clinic/Concert. Doing this also registration, assisting with the Member Registration, and
helped me to learn better ways to organize, communicate, these are just a few ideas.
and manage time. These conventions are a huge undertaking and being
Another opportunity is helping with All Region involved not only helps make things run smoothly, but
auditions. Yes, we are required to attend the auditions if provides you with so many networking and learning
we have students entered, but I highly encourage you to opportunities.
get on a judging panel or at least volunteer to be a monitor. As you prepare for your Spring Semester, take a few
This is a huge learning opportunity especially for younger moments and think about how the Gift of Service can
directors. The Region Band Chair will GREATLY appreciate inspire, encourage, uplift, recharge, and help others
having extra judges on hand. And, if you don’t end up while doing the SAME for YOU.
being needed to judge or monitor, you can offer to stick I hope to see you at the TMEA convention and at the
around and help out with things in the contest office. TBA Convention/Clinic next July!!

Bandmasters Review • December 2018 3 Texas Bandmasters Association