Bandmasters Review - December 2019

Texas Bandmasters Association Bandmasters Review • December 2019 3 and they say they thought you (their band directors) were cool. Cool being professional, respectful, fair, level- headed, funny, caring, organized, friendly, approachable and compassionate. Become an expert at being a teacher that kids just must be a part of your organization. Inspire by introducing them to musical heroes old and new in as many performance opportunities as you can. Play composers from every decade that had an impact on band literature. Play transcriptions, new composers, young composers, female composers, and of course the legends that continue to have an important influence on our repertoire. Make sure they are listening to world class artists and world class wind bands and orchestras as part of your curriculum. Become an expert at creating a comprehensive and diverse musical experience for every member of your band program from 6th to 12th grade. Run a great organization that your parents andadministration appreciate. They appreciate the fantastic ways you communicate and all the options of communication you use. You are willing to listen, adjust and see the big picture. You have worked hard to build caring relationships for the benefit of every student and support of your community. Those observing see a strong work ethic and excellent preparation for every event from social to performance. Become an expert at the behind the scenes of your band program. Teach your students “why” learning music is so important. You not only are sharing with them what to do and how to do it…you must share why we make music at all. The “why” is the game changer to creating a musician that supports the art form and the arts for the rest of their lives. They are the future patrons of the Broadway stages, symphony halls, live music venues, and your band programs. Become an expert at creating that emotional bond and life experiences that music brings to your students’ lives. That brings me to my point of investing in yourself and an organization like the Texas Bandmasters Association. I wanted to be an expert so I could stand bravely in front of my class and give them my all. The summers I spent with my peers, my mentors, my teachers, my role models at the Texas “Summer Music” Convention sure paved the way to that goal. I saved my money all year long as a young teacher so I could get to this incredible opportunity for growth and development. That investment never changed over the years. The TBA tradition started to include my family as well. I have learned from the BEST in our state and country. My family will be very honored to see you making that investment this summer as we celebrate another fantastic TBA convention in our beautiful city of San Antonio. Become an EXPERT…I’ll be sitting right next to you trying as well! Become the Expert The music education you offer your students is for improving the lives of others and leaving your community and musical world better than you found it. Absolutely take the journey to build a program every student on campus wants to be a part of. ..they thought you were cool... Cool being professional, respectful, fair, level-headed, funny, caring, organized, friendly, approachable and compassionate. Run a great organization that your parents and administration appreciate.