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TBA YBDT Partnership,

An Immediate Success

Katie Fehr

“This is a great thing that you are likely to leave the profession because classroom experience, and different
doing,” the conference attendee said of these pressures. The transition from geographic regions of Texas. The
to the presenter. And, indeed, looking college, where one has within their first clinic, What Does a Mentor
across the room as the session ended, reach the guidance and support of a Relationship Mean to You?, featured
one could see dozens of directors professor or a cooperating teacher, to a mentor-mentee panel discussion.
staying after the session to talk with the “real world” where one might have Among the topics addressed were the
new friends and to catch up with individual responsibility for a band or benefits to both parties in the mentor-
colleagues from across the state. for an entire band program, can be mentee relationship, long-distance
Most of the conversations seemed daunting. Thankfully, there are many, mentoring, beginner pedagogy and
informal, but connections were being established veteran directors that are lesson planning, and how to program
made, ideas exchanged. Young Band willing to lend their knowledge and for UIL and other concerts. Audience
Directors of Texas (YBDT) and, more expertise. YBDT’s goals are to act response included such questions as
importantly, the band directors in as a research clearinghouse and to “Is it too late to seek out a mentor?”
attendance, already were reaping the serve as a conduit for the connection -from a band director in his seventh
benefit of YBDT’s new partnership with of veteran director mentors to new year of teaching and “How can I
the Texas Bandmasters Association. director mentees. get involved and help?”-from an
Founded in the fall of 2017, YBDT’s At the 2018 Texas Bandmasters established, veteran director.
mission is to reduce director burnout. Association Convention/Clinic, Advisory Committee members
Almost all members of the music YBDT officers presented two clinics from Young Band Directors of Texas
profession at times feel isolated, and held several social events. The led the second clinic. Entitled Three
frustrated, and overwhelmed. Studies hundreds that attended were a diverse Essentials for Young Band Directors,
indicate that music educators with less group, representing different school the presentation addressed the crucial
than seven years of experience, are most classifications, different stages of topics of guidance, balance, and

Bandmasters Review • September 2018 26 Texas Bandmasters Association