Page 6 - 2018 June BMR

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Spotlight on YBDT Bridging the Gap

Amanda Vereen

organization. In less than a year,
YBDT boasts over 600 followers on
to form in our weekly discussions. Facebook. We have written articles,
We acknowledged that many young shared resources, hosted social events,
Let’s be honest, there’s directors longed for guidance from led an online challenge group, and
a generation gap in our profession. others, but did not know how to find a launched an early version of our
Brand-new directors may start at the mentor relationship or how to ask the virtual clinician program. We have a
bottom of the food chain in a six- right questions. Even more pressing, committee member representing each
member band staff. These directors we recognized that so many brilliant of the five regions: North, East, South,
may spend their day coordinating and experienced band directors wanted West, and Central Texas. These efforts
electronics on the sideline, inputting to help others, but felt that their input are simply the tip of the iceberg when
music into Finale or listening to wasn’t desired or they weren’t able it comes to how we can best serve
podcasts. On the other hand, there are to connect with younger directors the newest recruits of our profession.
master teachers who began their careers in a way that was productive. These This is an organization created for
as the one and only director in a pre- misgivings are not only standing in the young band directors by young band
internet world. These directors drove way of progress, but are increasing the directors. Our mission is to support
to neighboring towns to meet with risk of band director burnout. our members in their first few years,
friends, talk shop or receive comments Young Band Directors of Texas so that they may serve as mentors to
on recordings of their bands. Their started as a final project for grad others and find a way to do what they
vision of what could be built Texas school, but it has grown into so much love for as long as possible.
bands into the highly competitive and more. Research for the project led to Looking toward the future, we
thriving activity that it is today. When discussions with young band directors are eager to partner with the Texas
you consider the changes in technology, across the state about what would help Bandmasters Association. The
public education, and music over the them “stay in the game.” When asked leadership of TBA has made it clear
past fifty years, that pesky generation to identify the most applicable category that they are dedicated to minimizing
gap begins to feel more like an abyss. of support, young directors responded the generation gap and building
In Summer 2017, I enrolled in a unanimously with “all of them!” connections among all band directors.
discussion-based graduate course with Help me with pedagogy, With two YBDT clinics and a reception
Dr. Keith Dye at Texas Tech University finances, health/wellness, scheduled, the 2018 TBA Convention/
entitled, “Topics and Issues in Texas mentorship, and work-life Clinic is just the beginning. We look
Band Education.” Contrary to what balance. Give me someone I forward to getting young directors more
you may expect, this was not an all- can text when my rehearsal involved with TBA—guiding them to
out venting session or a prescribed goes poorly, someone who use all available resources and finding
study of standards and repertoire. We knows what it’s like to innovative ways to communicate and
covered many topics, perspectives, and live alone in a dilapidated grow. With the wealth of knowledge
even hosted video conferences with apartment, or maybe even a and expertise that exists among the
individuals like Brad Kent and Kay group of people ranks of today’s music educators,
Vanlandingham. Due partially to the who understand my lifestyle we must embrace the needs of those
fact that all students in this course and passion. around us and do everything in our
were female band directors in their first In an attempt to meet these needs, a power to help foster a lifelong love of
five years of teaching, a trend began final project turned into a professional music in them and their students.

Bandmasters Review • June 2018 4 Texas Bandmasters Association