ABA Updates

Feb 22 2024

I am writing this article, the morning after the decision was made to cancel our AMEA Professional Development Conference.  I was looking forward to celebrating the performances of our great ensembles, and the wonderful clinics that were going to inspire our members to reach for the stars and teach with the passion and purpose that brought them to this wonderful profession. I was looking forward to spending time visiting the exhibits and talking with old friends and meeting new colleagues.  I was excited…we all were excited, but Mother Nature had other plans and we were tasked with making a  difficult decision.  I am thankful to be part of a leadership team that takes their responsibilities to heart, that had foresight years ago to plan for rainy days, for leaders that are not afraid to make the difficult decisions, knowing the impact it would have on many people in our community.  While the excitement of the 2024 conference has been taken away, there is a renewed excitement of knowing the organization is in great hands with outstanding leadership, as we move into the upcoming weeks, months, and years.

One of the jobs that I was tasked with last night was to contact the band directors of each of the scheduled performing ensembles and break the news that the conference had been canceled and they would not be able to perform this year.  It was a difficult conversation that I had with each of them, as I completely understand the amount of energy, time, emotion, and financial investment it takes to perform at the state conference.  It is something a director thinks about every day, from the moment they receive the letter telling them they have been accepted until they step foot onto that stage and stand before their peers. So I encourage you all to reach out to Graham Bennett, John Cain, Matthew Chambliss, Justin Compton, Latrice Green, Meredyth Petersen, Jacob Souder, and Casey Thomas and express how much we appreciate what they and their students did to prepare for this event.  I am sure this would mean a great deal to each of them, knowing you took the time to show your support of their efforts.  After all, if we don’t lift each other up, then who will?

Speaking of lifting others up, join me in congratulating these outstanding band programs that recently participated or have been selected to perform in several national events.  The Alabama A&M University “Maroon and White Marching Band” was given the prestigious honor of leading the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this past November. The Hoover High School “First Edition” Jazz Band made its 3rd appearance at The Midwest Clinic in December 2023. The Albertville High School “Aggie Marching Band”  along with the University of Alabama “Million Dollar Marching Band”, performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA, in January 2024.  The Troy University Symphony Band, the Huntsville High School Wind Ensemble, and the Auburn Junior High School Wind Ensemble have been selected to perform at the 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference to be held February 29 – March 2, 2024, at the University of Memphis.

In looking forward, I am excited about several of our upcoming ABA events. This year we move to our new concert band Music Performance Assessment format, by using the new cumulative music list based on levels.  Please make sure you are using that list to choose your list piece.  Also, take a moment to look at the Sight-reading guidelines, the adjudication rubric, and other general information that is available on our website. 

Another new event for ABA is our Jazz Music Performance Assessment. The Jazz MPA Registration is now open in the Members Area of alaband.org. Thompson High School has agreed to be our host site this year, and the event will take place on Thursday, April 18. All information pertaining to the classification of bands, expectations, and the rubric are also posted on the website under the Jazz Division tab. 

I am extremely excited about the 2024 All-State Band and Solo Festival.  I encourage your students to participate in the Solo Festival.  It is such a wonderful opportunity for musical growth!  We are fortunate to have five incredible conductors for our All-State Bands this year. Dr. Paula Crider was scheduled to conduct the Red Band, but a recent PET scan revealed that her cancer has returned and she is having to cancel all of her spring engagements. Please join me in sending prayers for complete healing for this precious lady.   Mr. Richard Floyd will step in as our Red Band Conductor and Dr. Sue Samuels will replace him as our White Band Conductor. Carol Brittan Chambers will conduct the Blue Band, Cheryl Floyd will conduct the Middle School Red Band, and Mickey Smith, Jr will be the Middle School White Band Conductor.  We have several clinics scheduled and great exhibits to keep everyone engaged in all things Band!   

I cannot close this article without mentioning the passing of Robert W. Smith.  Much has been written about the impact he had on the entire world of music education.  Oh, how I cherish the fact that one of his last clinics was with us this past summer.  I was fortunate to be asked to share my thoughts with the Instrumentalist magazine this fall, where I shared some of my memories and due to space restraints the last paragraph that I wrote was edited out, but I think this is the perfect way to close this article.  “In many ways, Robert’s life was a reflection of the lyrics to the song  “The Greatest Love of All “.  He believed “the children are our future. Teach them well, and let them lead the way”. As teachers, we are responsible for the future…We teach the future…..and we need to carry forth and honor the legacy and remembrance of not just Robert W. Smith but all of those teachers whose lives impacted ours.

Remember the Why

Oct 13 2023

I hope that everyone has had a great beginning to the new school year, and you are finding a positive to focus on each day!  I was recently asked why I “continue to teach at my age” and my reply was “I love what I do!”   A few days later, I was scrolling through social media, I came upon a sweatshirt ad that read “Remember Your Why”.  We all need to remember why we became teachers.  I am sure if I took a poll on this subject, it would reveal that most of us that chose this career path is directly related to the influence of a teacher that made a difference in our lives.  I was blessed to have a different band director almost every year I was in public school, and they all made an everlasting impact. You are making a difference in a child’s life every day and you should strive to make sure it has a positive impact… So, when the days are long, or the students are struggling, or the parents are too demanding, or your administration wants you to serve on one more committee, or the pay isn’t what we feel like we deserve, and you just feel defeated… take a breath…call someone and let them remind you to “remember your why”.  You matter to someone!

Our annual AMEA In-Service Conference is scheduled for January 18-20, 2024, at the beautiful Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville.  We have wonderful concerts planned by Simmons MS Honor Band, Dauphin JH Symphonic Band, Buckhorn HS Wind Ensemble, Fairhope HS Wind Ensemble, Thompson HS Wind Ensemble, Pinson Valley HS Percussion Ensemble, Northridge HS Jazz Ensemble, and Jacksonville State University Brass Band.  We also have several clinics that should provide our teachers with valuable information and inspiration.  Check out the schedule that is listed in this issue of the Ala Breve.  Registration will be available online beginning October 1st.  Make sure you have renewed your NAfME and AMEA membership, before registering.

We have several ABA reminders:  Please make sure you register and/or update your contact info on the alaband.org website.  If you are new to our state or are a first or second-year teacher, please make sure you contact your District Chairman and Vice-Chairman, so they can provide you with up-to-date information regarding all things ABA!   

We will begin using our new Cumulative List Levels 1-6 this year for MPA.  The list is available on our website under the drop-down of MPA and will soon be published on JW Pepper’s website as well.

Please make sure you read our bylaws regarding MPA, All-State Auditions, Solo and Ensemble, and Jazz Education-related items.  Also on the website, we will post hotel links for All-State Band once all rate negotiations have been completed.  According to our Executive Secretary, Doug Farris, we have had to renegotiate rates due to contracts signed before COVID-19 (and we all know how COVID has affected the economy).  So, please be patient as we work through this process.

Please make sure you are aware of events and registration deadlines. Your District Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen work diligently to provide all this information to our membership.  To avoid late fees, refer to your calendar frequently and make sure you are sending your payments to the right person.  If you are not sure, ask your chairman.  They are there to help and I appreciate all they do to serve our organization.

In closing, let’s have a great representation at our AMEA Conference!  Let’s make the student’s our priority, and let’s always strive to love what we do and Remember Our Why!

Jazz News from Nick….

I hope everyone had a great summer and a good start to the school year.  We would like to encourage your students to audition for this year’s All-State Jazz Band. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase your talents, learn from renowned clinicians, and perform alongside the best musicians in the state.

Important Dates:

  • Audition Material Access: Visit alaband.org for the audition material.
  • Audition Registration Deadline: Friday, October 27, 2023
  • Audition Recording Upload Period: November 1 through November 14, 2023
  • Acceptance Notifications: Thursday, November 30, 2023
  • Mandatory Registration Deadline for Accepted Students: December 4, 2023
  • Music Distribution to Directors/Participants: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
  • All-State Jazz Band Event: January 18-20, 2023, at the Huntsville Von Braun Civic Center

We’re excited to introduce our distinguished clinicians for this year’s event:

  • Ben Posey (Middle School Band)
  • Matt Leder (Bronze Band)
  • Chris Kozak (Silver Band)
  • Jerome Jennings (Gold Band)

We also encourage you to mark your calendars and join us for the Jazz State Assessment, scheduled for Thursday, April 18th, 2023, at Thompson High School. Detailed information on registration and the esteemed panel of judges will soon be available on alaband.org.

For more information and updates, please visit alaband.org. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with the audition process.

Give Back What You Were Given

Aug 8 2023

Let me begin by saying how excited and honored I am to be representing the Alabama Bandmasters Association as your President. It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. Over the next two years, it is my desire to provide our membership with new opportunities that will allow us to grow as professionals, develop new friendships, increase our leadership abilities, and recognize the importance that we each have in our students’ daily lives.

As we begin a new school year, I challenge you to find something positive to focus on each day. These are difficult times in the world of education. We have to find ways to lift each other up! There’s the well-known pyramid scheme that we have all seen in different forms of business but think for a moment if we developed our own pyramid of helping one other director and then that director helped another…you see where this is going? We each find a way to be a positive influence no matter how big or small and before we know it we have allowed our light to shine…It’s contagious! Instead of worrying about what the person down the road is doing, worry about the kid up the street that just started their career…Think about how you felt in those early days… someone helped you become better and I call on all of you to give back what you were given.  Trust me,  the return on investment is life-changing!

We held the 2023 ABA Summer Conference at the beautiful  Perdido Beach Resort and it was a great time of fellowship and development! Alabama native and world-renowned composer, arranger, and teacher, Robert W. Smith, opened our conference with his keynote address about the responsibility we all have in the development of our students as future leaders.  Many thanks to Gene Butler, Joshua Heicht, Samantha Malttagliati, Chris Moore, and Joel Henson for their outstanding clinics which brought about new thoughts and ideas.

 Our Tuesday night Meet and Greet / Trivia Contest was a huge success and I want to thank Chris Lindley with American Travel Consulting for hosting the fun-filled event!  Wednesday night’s Shrimp Boil Dinner had more participants than anticipated and we loved having the Doc Rogers and the Rock Dodgers Band provide live music!  It was inspiring to see so many members of the band come from all walks of life and generations….it brought all that we discussed in our clinics full circle when you see the 80 plus year-old piano player use her walker as her piano bench!  Priceless!  What we do is important because we teach lifelong musicians!

The board adopted new comment sheets for the back of our MPA adjudication sheets, as well as increasing the pay scale of our MPA Adjudicators so that we are more closely aligned with other states’ pay scales. The Music Selection committee is looking at new music to add to our Cumulative lists and the updated list will be published on August 1st, along with the 2024 All-State requirements.  Look for all of these on our website.

The board voted to take a one-year suspension of the Summer Conference, to look at the financial feasibility of this event.  The rising costs of hotel, food, and other items related to conferences have become astronomical in relation to the number of participants.  The board feels it is our responsibility to be good stewards of the ABA finances, so we will take a year to look into other venues and opportunities for future conferences.

Lastly, we will partner with members of Phi Beta Mu in the development of a new teacher mentorship.  I am afraid, as of this writing, we may have more teaching jobs open than we have teachers to fill them.  We must nurture and mentor our young directors so that we can always fill the positions within our state.  We need more band programs, not less!  More information regarding this will be forthcoming.

 In closing, my sincere thanks to our ABA Board and our outstanding sponsors for their longstanding support of the Alabama Bandmasters Association: Art’s Music Shop, Inc, AWB Apparel, Best in Class Tours, Custom Fundraising Solutions, Fruhauf Uniforms, Inc., Guardian Travel Group, Priester’s Pecans, Inc., Stanbury Uniforms, LLC, Southeastern Performance Apparel, and Southern Performances Inc.

 Best wishes to all of you as you prepare for the upcoming school year.  May it be your best one yet!

The Coda is Here!

May 2 2023

The Coda is Here!

The beginning of my time as ABA President made the end bittersweet! Serving in a leadership role during the pandemic was not for the faint of heart. Numerous meetings, big decisions, and disappointments were the norm. Navigating through virtual auditions, virtual assessments, and mitigation strategies was necessary to keep our association viable during such a difficult time. However, as I sat and watched 800-plus instrumental music students make incredible music this past weekend, it made it all worth it. Band is alive and well in Alabama.

The All State Festival 2023 was once again a successful musical experience for the band students in the state of Alabama. The event commenced with the All-State Solo Festival. It was a great display of the amazing student musicians in our state. The finalists were: Noah Bender, Madeline Cagle, Emma Coley, Kayin Hardy, Ellen Head, Chandler Myhan, Victoria Nail, Koen Pritchard, Yukino Shichinohe, and Olivia Tures. Being a finalist for this prestigious event is a huge honor. The All-State Soloist Finalist winner for 2023 was saxophonist Yukino Shichinohe from Cullman High School.

We were very fortunate to have world-class clinicians at this year’s festival. The Middle School White Band was conducted by Jack Wilds. Jack is a prolific composer and exposed our students to new and exciting music. The Middle School Red Band was conducted by Dr. Arris Golden who serves as Associate Director of Bands at Michigan State University. She really pushed her students to play a very challenging program with such artistry The Blue Band was conducted by Dr. Ben Lorenzo Director of Bands at Kent State University. His perfect combination of humor and musicianship led to a great performance by this ensemble. The White Band was conducted by Dr. Rebecca Phillips Director of Bands at Colorado State University. This group’s rendition of Eric Whitacre’s Sleep was simply stunning. Lastly, our Red Band was conducted by the highly acclaimed composer and clinician Dr. Frank Ticheli. Their performance was spectacular! I was really moved by Omar Thomas’ Of Our New Day Begun and amazed by his new composition Lux Perpetua.

The All-State Festival is a huge undertaking for the Alabama Bandmasters Association. The District I band directors, led by chairman Stuart Tankesley and President-Elect Keith Anderson, worked tirelessly to make this event successful. Another aspect of making our event run smoothly is the outstanding band hosts and percussion techs for each ensemble. Jon Bubbett and Kevin Ownby (Red), Heather Henson and Doug Teuscher (White), Damon McAllister and Alex White (Blue), David Caddell and Courtney Lankford (MS White), and Connie and Tim Hammond and Josh Lynch (MS Red) served in this capacity for us this year. Our clinicians were impressed with their organization, commitment, and professionalism during the entire experience with the Alabama Bandmasters Association. ABA Executive Officers Lori Hart, William Mixon, Terry Ownby, Ben Posey, and Nick McDonald, and Executive Secretary Doug Farris worked together, along with our District Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, to see to it that our students could count on a positive All- State experience. A special debt of gratitude is owed to our outgoing District Chairmen Stuart Tankesley (I), Jeremy Willis (III), Dakota Bromley (V), Meredyth Petersen (VII), Ben Posey (Jazz Chair), and Terry Ownby (Past President). Terry will be leaving the board after serving 20 years in various capacities. There is no way the association can function without dedicated people like these. It has been an honor to serve alongside you.

As my term as President of the Alabama Bandmasters Association comes to a close, I am filled with a sense of relief and gratitude. It really doesn’t hit you that you have been entrusted with this huge responsibility until it becomes real. It’s hard to believe that a small-town trombone player from rural Walker County, Alabama would ever be entrusted with the privilege of serving in this capacity. Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of working with a dedicated team of individuals who share my passion for music education and the band students in Alabama. As I reflect on my time as president, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in this role and look forward to continuing to support President-Elect Lori Hart to promote music education in any way that I can.

Lastly, the Summer Conference will be back at the Perdido Beach Resort. This event is also later in the month (June 20-22). Registration for the conference will open on May 1, 2023. Information about the Summer Conference can be found on our website: www.alaband.org. This is a great way to celebrate a successful year and kick off a new one. It is also one of the few times that directors have the opportunity to receive professional development while enjoying their families at the same time. The ocean, beach, and outstanding seafood are an added bonus! Hope to see you there! Thank you all for your support during my tenure.

Now....it’s time to take the Coda!


It’s About the Journey

Feb 12 2023

The 2023 AMEA Conference was truly one to remember. I’ve been attending this conference for over 20 years. I can say, without hesitation, this year was my favorite. I had the opportunity to pop into almost every clinic and performance and was extremely pleased with our offerings. It was so nice to see colleagues supporting one another. We are a part of a very awesome profession. That was on display at its finest at AMEA 2023.
This year’s conference was filled with outstanding performances. The opening concert was presented by the Oak Mountain Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Kevin Ownby. This concert was truly a great way to kick off the ABA performances at this year’s conference. The next ABA performance block featured the Smiths Station High School Symphonic Band (Gene Butler) and Rehobeth High School Symphonic Band (Marc McLendon). We then wrapped up Thursday with outstanding performances by the Daphne High School Wind Ensemble (Jamar Dumas), Muscle Shoals Middle School (Daniel Seay), and Hoover High School Symphonic Winds (Ryan Fitchpatrick). Our Friday performances included the UAB Wind Symphony (Sean Murray), Auburn Junior High School Wind Symphony (Joshua Wine), and the Huntsville High School Wind Ensemble (Stuart Tankesley).

We often think of AMEA performances as a milestone for band directors. However, you could look at the faces of the performers in these ensembles and see that it was so much more. Students are the most important part of our journey. If they stay at the center of all of our decisions, they are impacted more than we realize.

The performance at AMEA was an opportunity of a lifetime. It showcased all the hard work and effort that we had put forth since August. I truly enjoyed it!”- Olivia Tures, Senior flutist in the Daphne Wind Ensemble

The 2023 AMEA performance was an exciting opportunity for our band to showcase the hard work and dedication we have put into our performances and music. To have other members of band programs take their time to listen to our band was truly significant as it gave our band the opportunity to perform in a supportive environment that contributed to our success. The AMEA performance will forever be an opportunity to leave a mark of success for our program and ourselves, while also serving as a memory and reminder of the incredible efforts and commitments we have put towards music.”
- Madisyn Sanders, Junior flutist in the Smiths Stations Symphonic Band

“I have had the pleasure of performing in many different ensembles over the years, playing with great clarinet sections, making beautiful music, and creating meaningful relationships along the way. From the constant unwavering support from our directors to the hardworking dedicated students, this ensemble soon became my favorite experience of playing in a wind ensemble. Playing at AMEA for colleagues in the band field was not only intimidating but super rewarding! Thank you to Dr. Murray, Dr. Morantz, and Dr. Fambrough for their continued dedication to this fantastic ensemble!”
- Matt Barron, Junior clarinetist in the UAB Wind Symphony

“Being able to perform as a soloist on Colonial Song was so special to me. It turned into my favorite concert piece and meant so much to be able to perform with my friends.”
- Kemp Horn, Senior trumpet player in the Hoover Symphonic Winds

Coming from a small-town band program, MPA is the only performance our concert band gets to be a part of that takes place in a top-of-the-line concert hall or theater. Knowing how long it took for the Rehobeth High School Symphonic Band to perform at AMEA, made it an honor to be a part of the chosen group. I was once told, “Our greatest failure as musicians is our lack of attention to the smallest details”. As a young musician, the performance made me feel as if all the hard work and attention to small details had meaning, something more than just a concert for our friends and family. To the AMEA and ABA Presidents and Boards, thank you for the opportunity, and I hope the Rehobeth High School Symphonic Band will get the chance to return to AMEA in the future, so those students will have the same great experience I had.
- Coby Gibert, Senior tuba player in the Rehobeth High School Symphonic Band

The AMEA concert for me was a “stepping stone” in my instrumental career. It was a terrific experience that I wish to do again later in my career in band. I believe that preparing for this event made me into a better musician, and I am so thankful that we were invited to perform this honorable experience!”
- Yeasung Choi, 8th Grade clarinetist in the Auburn Junior High School Wind Symphony

“This was such an amazing honor for the Muscle Shoals Middle School Band. Something that I, as well as every other band member, will never forget. It was so special to share it with my Dad.”
- Caroline Seay, 8th-grade clarinetist in the Muscle Shoals Middle School Band

“Performing at AMEA sparked an effort from our band members like never before. And to perform our best in front of such a large crowd was very special”
- Emmie Beth Waters, 8th-grade trumpet player in the Muscle Shoals Middle School Band

“Performing at AMEA with my talented, hardworking peers and amazing band director, in front of people who spoke the same language (music), is a feeling I can’t put into words - it needs to be experienced. Having the honor to impart and share that same love with educators across the state was a special feeling that is now a memory I’ll cherish forever. - Victoria Nail, Senior percussionist in the Oak Mountain Percussion Ensemble

When you read this article, it is my hope that district-level All-State auditions are complete and we are moving toward our All-State event on April 27-29, 2023 at our new venue -The Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. As a reminder to our membership, auditions for this event will be held virtually using the Heartout app. Also, preliminaries of the All-State Solo Festival will be submitted virtually through the Heartout app. You can find complete information about this year’s festival on our website: www.alaband.org.

Good luck with your MPA preparations. Remember, it’s not about the rating; it’s about the journey.


The Reason for the Madness

Oct 10 2022

I’m in a very unique situation. I’m a marching band director as well as a band parent of a student in a marching band other than the one that I teach. That can be a very tough life at times. I rarely get to see my favorite trombone player in action. However, this past Friday night, it was my turn to fulfill my parental obligation to my son’s band as my band had an off week. I happily took my place as director of popcorn operations for a highly contested football game. I was told to make sure we didn’t run out of popcorn at all costs and was “shown the ropes” by a more seasoned band parent. As a director, I’ve been blessed to work with some of the most incredible parents in all of my teaching stops. I’ve included a few images of my favorite moments with outstanding band boosters. However, it was nice to see firsthand the dedication and pride these parents have in their band organization. This opportunity led me to a few conversations that gave me a new perspective on the importance of what directors across the state are providing for both their students and parents during this time of year.

As I was warming the kettle, one of the parents struck up a conversation with me. Of course, this parent had no idea I was a band director. Being incognito is kind of nice when you are always having to make decisions for a band program. In that conversation, I heard that their child had never found success in anything they had participated in growing up. They had tried baseball, football, soccer, and various other activities. This parent offered that, when their child joined the band, it created a place where they fit in and it changed their kid’s life for the better. This parent said that she would hate to know what their child would be without the lessons they had learned through this activity. They talked about the band directors like they were superheroes. I agreed and kept popping popcorn so that I wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the halftime rush.

As I looked around the concession stand, I noticed several people working who were way too “experienced” to have current kids in the band. I asked one of them about their child and was told they had already graduated. That comment was followed by a statement from another “graduated” parent that said there was no way that they could repay the program for the impact it had on their child’s life. They also added that they just enjoyed being around the other parents and helping the kids have the resources they needed to be successful. I hadn’t been paying much attention to the popcorn and was told I could cut the machine off and hope we would sell the mountain of salty, buttery goodness I had created. Maybe I had been a little too optimistic with the amount of popcorn that would go out of the stand that night.

After hearing this story, it made me realize why band parents give so much of themselves to our organizations. They too have been looking for somewhere that they belong and can contribute. That explains why parents will volunteer countless hours so that we can upgrade equipment or purchase new uniforms. Just remember you matter and the effort you put into your program matters. Our programs provide their kids so much that would be absent from their lives if it were not for the band. Lifelong friendships are made from working a concession stand on a Friday night. At some point during the next football game or event you have, make sure you take time to thank the parents who are working to make their kid’s experience the best it possibly can be. After all, they had no idea there was even a football game that evening and were exhausted at the end of the shift. On a positive note, the last box of popcorn was sold just as the game was ending. Go Band!

Take Note:
The board adopted new sheets for Solo and Ensemble for 2023. Those will be available for your perusal soon on our website under the Solo and Ensemble tab

The board adopted a new policy addressing e-print scores at MPA. Please make sure you review it at your convenience. It will be published under the MPA section of the website.

The decision was made by the ABA membership to discontinue the audition and selection of students on piccolo, Eb clarinet, and alto clarinet. Further information about piccolo selection can be found in our bylaws.

Due to the rising cost of services and venues, the budget committee recommended and the board approved fee increases to MPA, State Solo Festival, and State Level All-State for 2022-2023. MPA Registration will increase to $2 per student; school fee remains the same. State Solo Festival increases to $35 per audition and there is a new $10 school fee. Lastly, State Level All State Registrations will increase to $40 per student with a $50 school fee. These fee changes will allow us to continue to provide meaningful experiences for our students.

Please look for important legislation to be considered at AMEA on our website.

Future Dates for All-State:
All-State Band
(APRIL 27-29 2023) VON BRAUN CENTER-HUNTSVILLE, AL
(APRIL 25-27, 2024) VON BRAUN CENTER-HUNTSVILLE, AL
(APRIL 9-12, 2025) OUTLAW CONVENTION CENTER- MOBILE, AL
(APRIL 15-18, 2026) OUTLAW CONVENTION CENTER- MOBILE, AL

In closing, make sure you have updated your profile on the website. You will not receive important correspondence and information without fully completing your demographic information. Our website is directly linked to NAfME and will change your status and credentials if you are not a member in good standing. Look forward to seeing everyone at AMEA. Until then, take time to enjoy the experience

Joel Henson, President


Take Time to Enjoy the Experience

Jul 20 2022

By the time this article is published, many of you will be in the heat of marching season or getting prepared to start students on their musical journey. This time of year is always so exciting for students and directors alike. Many of the things we do are the same year after year. We will be reminding our students about posture, hand position, sunscreen, hydration, and all the things that go with being a successful musician. However, it doesn’t matter if this is your first or last year teaching, nothing is ever exactly the same every year of our careers. Students keep the journey of being a band director fresh, interesting, and fun. The pandemic has taught us to never take anything for granted. It is my hope that through the hustle and bustle of one of the busiest times in our professional lives, we take time to enjoy the experience. Remember that band is supposed to be fun not only for our students but for us directors as well.

The Summer Conference at Perdido Beach Resort was a huge success. This new venue was super accommodating to our membership. Our keynote speaker, Jon Bubbett, was a perfect way to start our event. He reminded us that what we do matters and to imagine our own children’s faces on the faces of our students when we are having to make tough decisions. Keith Anderson presented a clinic that gave directors practical ways to adapt stock drumline parts to make them both more interesting and effective. Nathan Haskew’s clinic made a correlation between the moving “Turning Red” and the middle school band culture. The shrimp boil was catered by the resort and was quite a feast. The bread pudding was the truth!

It was also great to get new and fresh ideas from our friends at Southwind Drum and Bugle Corp Elanders Frazier and Terry Sanders. Thank you to Fruhauf Uniforms, Marchmaster Inc., Custom Fundraising Solutions, AWB Apparel, Performance Carts, Demoulin Brothers and Company, Best in Class Tours, Terry Ownby Consulting, Samford University School of the Arts, Arts Music, American Travel Consulting, and Southern Performances. We are so grateful to our sponsors for their longstanding support of our organization. We will return to the Perdido Beach Resort next year from June 19 to June 22, 2023. I hope you make plans to attend.

The ABA Board had a very productive meeting at the Summer Conference. Attached are some highlights from these meetings:

• The board adopted new sheets for Solo and Ensemble for 2023. Those will be available for your perusal soon on our website under the Solo and Ensemble tab.
• The board adopted a new policy addressing e-print scores at MPA. Please make sure you review it at your convenience. It will be published under the MPA tab on the website.
• The nominating committee is District I and II: Emily Parker (Hampton Cove MS), District III and IV: Daniel Seay, Chairman (Muscle Shoals MS), District V and VI: Alex Johnson (Montgomery Catholic), and District VII and VIII: Sean Noah (McGill-Toolen HS). If you have suggestions for the offices of the President-Elect, Recording Secretary, or Jazz Chair-elect, please notify these people.
• Due to the rising cost of services and venues, the budget committee recommended and board approved fee increases to MPA, State Solo Festival, and State Level All-State for 2022-2023. MPA Registration will increase to $2 per student; school fee remains the same. State Solo Festival increases to $35 per audition and there is a new $10 school fee. Lastly, State Level All State Registrations will increase to $40 per student with a $50 school fee. These fee changes will allow us to continue to provide meaningful experiences for our students.
• The board heard three proposals for All-State 2025 and 2026. All State 2025 and 2026 will be back in Mobile at the Outlaw Convention Center.

Please look for legislation in the next Alabreve and website regarding:

• Bylaw revision from the Constitution Committee
• Jazz Music Performance Assessment
• MPA Classification Revision

Future Dates of ABA Events:

All-State Band

(APRIL 27-29 2023) VON BRAUN CENTER-HUNTSVILLE, AL
(APRIL 25-27, 2024) VON BRAUN CENTER-HUNTSVILLE, AL
(APRIL 9-12, 2025) OUTLAW CONVENTION CENTER- MOBILE, AL
(APRIL 15-18, 2026) OUTLAW CONVENTION CENTER- MOBILE, AL

In closing, make sure you have renewed your Nafme membership. Our website is directly linked to NAfME and will change your status and credentials if you are not a member in good standing. Best wishes for a successful and memorable year of music-making and life-changing experiences.

Joel Henson


Reflections On A Successful Year

May 9 2022

As the school year is coming to a close, it is a great time to reflect on the past year’s happenings. My first article as President of ABA talked about things returning to normal after the pandemic. I was convinced we had moved past the pandemic and were pushing back to the way we had always done things in the band world. In the words of Lee Corso, “not so fast!” However, as band directors always do, we made things happen in the face of adversity. It is easy to focus on all of the negatives of this past school year. There are so many positives that far outweigh the hard parts of our year. It makes how we ended the year even sweeter.

The All-State Festival 2022 was once again a successful musical experience for the band students in the state of Alabama. The event commenced with the All-State Solo Festival. It was a great display of the amazing student musicians in our state. The finalists were: John Peter Aufdemorte, Noah Bender, Harrison Ellis, Wei Wei Guo, Elias Loo, Jones Preg, Koen Pritchard, Julia Richards, and Yukino Shichinohe. Being a finalist for this prestigious event is a huge honor. The All-State Soloist Finalist winner for 2022 was bassoonist Elias Loo from Sparkman High School.

We kicked off Thursday’s events with a well-attended concert by the Albertville High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Taylor Cash. This outstanding group missed their opportunity to perform at AMEA due to the pandemic. I applaud the ABA board for allowing me to extend this invitation to these outstanding students. I especially enjoyed their rendition of Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium. The resonance of the ensemble in that performance venue was moving. The Friday night feature concert was performed by the University of South Alabama Wind Ensemble led by Dr. William Petersen. This concert, held in the beautiful Saenger Theater, was outstanding. The group featured two soloists, Drew Pritchard (BM in Music Performance, University of South Alabama) and their esteemed Assistant Professor of Clarinet, Dr. Kip Franklin. They closed their performance with a powerful rendition of the fourth movement of Respighi’s Pines of Rome.

We were very fortunate to have world-class clinicians at this year’s festival. The Middle School White Band was conducted by Tyler S. Grant. Tyler is a native of Alabama who is blossoming as a young composer. The Middle School Red Band was conducted by Robert Herrings from Henry Middle School in the Leander School District of Austin, Texas. His band was just accepted for a historic fourth time to perform at the Midwest Clinic. The Blue Band was conducted by Dr. Daniel Tembras from Purdue University Fort Wayne. His perfect combination of humor and musicianship led to a great performance by this ensemble. The White Band was conducted by another Alabama native, Dr. Jamie Nix, from Columbus State University. This group’s rendition of Arturo Marquez’s Danzon No. 2 was exciting and musical. Lastly, our Red Band was conducted by Steven Davis from the UMKC Conservatory. Their performance was spectacular! I was really moved by Omar Thomas’ Shenandoah and amazed by the Polka and Fugue from Schwanda the Bagpiper with so little rehearsal time.

The All-State Festival is a huge undertaking for the Alabama Bandmasters Association. The District VII band directors, led by chairman Meredyth Peterson, worked tirelessly to make this event successful. Another aspect of making our event run smoothly is the outstanding band hosts and percussion techs for each ensemble. Jon Bubbett and Kevin Ownby (Red), Damon McAllister and Doug Teuscher (White), Heather Henson and Alex White (Blue), David Caddell and Courtney Lankford (MS Red), and Connie and Tim Hammond and Josh Lynch (MS White) served in this capacity for us this year. Our clinicians were impressed with their organization, commitment, and professionalism during the entire experience with the Alabama Bandmasters Association. ABA Executive Officers Lori Hart, William Mixon, Terry Ownby, Ben Posey, Nick McDonald, and Executive Secretary Doug Farris worked together, along with our District Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, to see to it that our students could count on a positive All- State experience. A special debt of gratitude is owed to our outgoing District Chairmen Gena Nix (II), Jerell Horton (IV), Jason Warnix (VI), and Justin Compton (VIII). There is no way the association can function without dedicated chairmen like these. It has been an honor to serve alongside you.

Lastly, the Summer Conference is moving to a new location this year. The Perdido Beach Resort has been recently renovated and has been very accommodating to our association. This event is also later in the month (June 29-30). Registration for the conference will open on May 1, 2022. Information about the Summer Conference can be found on our website: www.alaband.org. This is a great way to celebrate a successful year and kick off a new one. It is also one of the few times that directors have the opportunity to receive professional development while enjoying their families at the same time. The ocean, beach, and outstanding seafood are an added bonus! Hope to see you there!

Seeing Band Through a Different Lens

Nov 1 2021

This year certainly started a little differently than I had planned. Just when I thought the pandemic was coming to an end, we are dealing with a new variant that has presented new challenges and difficult decisions. Honestly, there have been days where I have allowed myself to fall into a funk due to the unknown and daily quarantines. Your perspective has a profound impact on your purpose. Considering different lenses will help you navigate yet another challenging year and give you the will to persevere.
Director’s Lens: Band directors are some of the hardest working professionals in the world. Countless hours are spent planning, rehearsing, and participating in band activities. We see the value in the activity and push students to heights they didn’t even know were possible. Regardless of the circumstances, we have focused on providing as close to a normal band experience as possible for our students. We know the value of the activity and keep the student’s well-being our top priority. During the pandemic, we have had to make decisions in areas that none of us are qualified. We have had to keep a healthy balance of musical achievement, student life, health, and safety to operate a successful program during a global pandemic.

Student’s Lens: As bad as we hate to admit it, most of our students are in band for reasons other than musical achievement. Many of our students do band for the social outlet that it gives them. Others do band to have opportunities that they wouldn’t have without being involved in the activity. Many of our students are finding a place where they belong for the first time in their life. There are the few students who have found their true passion and we have to provide them with the experiences that will push them as well. Students, at the end of the day, want to please their directors. Students are pulled in so many directions. We have to make sure we are giving them an experience with realistic expectations to avoid disappointment and burnout.

Parent’s Lens: It’s easy to forget that this season is the first for several of our students. This past fall brought about a new experience for me. My oldest son was spending his first year at a high school band camp. I have been a part of band camps for many years and never thought much about the parents who were leaving their kids in my care for eight hours a day. As I watched him walk in I had some very interesting thoughts:

• I hope he likes it.
• I hope he makes some new friends.
• Did we do all the things? (Hydrate, Sunscreen, DEODORANT)
• Will he want to go back?
• Will it be fun?

This event made me question what was important to my students and parents. Do we spend as much time thinking about our kid’s experience as we do musical excellence?

Which Lens Do You Look Through?:
To truly be a successful music educator, we have to be able to see through all three lenses. As bad as I hate to admit it, my definition of success once centered around marching contests and performances. As I have aged as a music educator, I have seen trophies and accomplishments come and go. The relationships and experiences we give our students are what will go with them for the rest of their lives. What is important to us is sometimes not the same things that are important to our kids and parents. Finding the correct balance of these lenses will lead to a more positive experience for students, parents, and even us directors.

Take Note
• Please make sure you have registered on our new website: www.alaband.org. You must be a member of NAFME to register. In the near future, you will not receive correspondence from ABA if you have not registered.
• We are now accepting applications for collegiate / professional performing ensembles for the 2022 All-State Band Festival. The application can be found on our website.
• Registration for All-State auditions will take place on the director’s side of our website. This registration will open on Nov 1, 2021.
• Please make plans to attend the Summer Conference. It is being held June 28-30, 2022 in the newly renovated Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama.

It’s Just Band

Aug 29 2021

As we embark on a new school year, there is growing excitement that we will be able to do things with a greater sense of normal. However, we need not forget the things that helped us survive professionally in one of the most challenging years of our careers.

Keep the main thing the main thing: The students have and should always be our primary focus. During the pandemic, it was our goal to give the students the best experience possible under the circumstances. There were very few pictures of students celebrating trophies or traveling on their annual spring trip. It was an accomplishment to even have band and keep everyone healthy and safe. As we move forward, it should be our goal to make every decision one that makes our students’ band experience memorable and life-changing.

One of the most eye-opening experiences for me was watching the social media posts when we lost one of our legends and one of my mentors, Jim Duren. None of the posts focused on the amazing performances and accolades that his ensembles received. It was all about the incredible human being that he was and how much he invested in their lives. The pandemic taught me to never take anything for granted and to live in the moment. We never know how much a high five or a smile can impact a student’s life. Our students need us now more than ever.

Collaborate: We are in this together. There is no doubt that collaboration among colleagues improved dramatically during the pandemic. Directors across the state were racking their brains trying to figure how to manage their way through the pandemic. There was very little concern for who had the best ideas. People were sharing and helping in any way that they could without seeking reward or recognition. Who knew that a puppy pad or a surgical bootie would be an essential part of a band rehearsal? Directors went from competing with their colleagues to sharing ideas willingly with one another. This allowed our profession to succeed in difficult times.

Advocate: The importance of band and music education became obvious when it wasn’t feasible to have it in its normal form. Our students lost their creative outlet and the place where they felt a part of a group. Many football game halftimes and parades happened without the normal pageantry that a band brings to those environments. What we found, through the pandemic, is that students and our communities need band. Due to the decreased presence of our band programs, loss of numbers, and the need for instructional remediation, many programs face great uncertainty. Consequently, we must advocate for our students and each other as often as possible.

Persevere: This past year has proven that music educators are some of the most dedicated professionals in the world. We didn’t allow obstacles to keep our kids from getting a quality band experience. I saw evidence of this every day in your classrooms. Some of the things we once toiled over have become minor bumps in the road. Imagine what a first-year teacher can do if they survived their first year in the midst of this pandemic. I believe that pushing through this adversity together has made our profession stronger for years to come.

It’s Just Band: We all love band. We all love our profession. We all love our students. However, we can only control what we control. The pandemic has taught us many lessons including the need for balance in our lives and the lives of our students. This past year, I saw evidence of colleagues finding ways to destress and stay healthy. We can only give our students our best if we feel like being there. Continue to find outlets that take you away from the activity so that you can be your best when you are there. Band is important. However, it should be a part of our life…..not our life.

I am humbled at the opportunity to serve as President of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. I look forward to the coming years as we work together to make the bands in Alabama the best we can for the students we serve.

Updates from the Summer Conference:

The ABA board voted to move both our state-level All-State chair auditions and the preliminary Solo Festival auditions permanently to a virtual platform using Heartout.

The 4-year data is being restarted in 2021 to help guide future policy. The goal is to collect data for four years and allow it to guide future policy decisions. Proposal 2020-6 considering redistricting was withdrawn.

The new online home for ABA will be www.alaband.org. We hope that the new website will go live in early August. Every director will need to register and create a profile for future correspondence.

ABA: Thank You!!

Jun 10 2021

THANK YOU!!!!!! Thank you to everyone who helped to make All-State 2021 a success!! It took many hours of planning and implementation to make it happen, but the end result was five OUTSTANDING concerts from our students. Thank you for your patience as we navigated uncharted waters through this event to do everything possible to have a safe event for everyone. Thanks to the District 7 Band Directors and Meredyth Petersen who organized all the percussion needs for the bands. Thanks to our band hosts and percussion coordinators who went above and beyond to make sure the students were taken care of during the event. Thanks to the University of North Alabama Wind Symphony and Studio Lab Band and Dr. Lloyd Jones for a wonderful night of music on Friday night. And finally, Thanks to the ABA Executive team and Board of Directors for your leadership, hard work, and dedication to make this happen for our students. You are to be commended for going above and beyond the call of duty the past year to make sure that our organization met the challenges that were before us.

I write this as we are all looking at the end of a very difficult and trying year, and hopefully a year that we will NEVER repeat. But even with everything that has come our way, those in our profession have done what we always have done: we take a step back, look at the problem before us and we set a path forward for our program. Band has continued this year in many different ways, BUT IT HAS CONTINUED!!!!! Being flexible will always produce better results if we truly look for the ways that it can benefit our students.

The last 18 years of my career have been spent in service to my students and to ABA. I’ve served as Vice- Chair, Chairman, Recording Secretary, President-Elect, and now President, and will serve two more as Past President. It has been a joy of my life to serve ABA and the membership during this time. What we do is about service. First, we serve the program, school, and community in which we live and teach and pour out our passion for music into the lives of these students daily. But we must always keep in mind, it’s not about us, it’s about the students we serve, and the outcomes should ALWAYS be about them. Then, we need to actively serve in our state association to make sure that it is strong, that it has a unified voice that is heard on music education issues that affect our students. ABA is only as strong as YOU and I as the members make the organization. YOU must be involved, or it weakens both ABA and our parent group AMEA. I encourage you to make a new commitment in the coming year, to be active. Attend AMEA, All-State, MPA, District meetings and help to make YOUR organization be a voice that MUST be heard!!!

We are ABA and together we CAN do great things!!!!!!

Terry

UPCOMING ABA DATES
SUMMER CONFERENCE (JUNE 15-17, 2021) HAMPTON INN, ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA
ALL-STATE BAND (APRIL 6-10, 2022) ARTHUR R. OUTLAW MOBILE CONVENTION CENTER, MOBILE, AL ALL-STATE BAND (APRIL 27-29 2023) VON BRAUN CENTER-HUNTSVILLE, AL
ALL-STATE BAND (APRIL 25-27, 2024) VON BRAUN CENTER-HUNTSVILLE, AL

ABA: Updates

Feb 5 2021

As we continue to move forward as ABA, the most important thing to remember is to keep YOUR students and their well-being in mind in every decision you make about your band program. The ABA board has worked tirelessly over the past few months to do everything in their power to aid you during this time and for our events. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if there is anything we can do to help you or your program, or if you have any questions. We are here to serve you.

AMEA Conference Wrap-up
Thank you to everyone who presented outstanding clinics and to the Hartselle High School Symphonic Band – Randall Key, conductor, and the Enterprise High School Wind Ensemble – Sean Weiler, conductor, for their outstanding performances.

Virtual MPA
We have moved the deadline for submissions for approval of a list piece to Joel Henson to March 1. The registration deadline for Virtual MPA is March 12 to Executive Secretary. The submission deadline for materials is April 9.

All-State Festival
Our plan at this moment is to have the All- State event as a live event. If this can’t happen, we will move it to a virtual platform for the students to have an all-state experience for 2021. We will have an All-State event and seat bands for 2021 and students will receive medals for the 2021 event. The board is gathering information for both the in-person event and the virtual event and will make the determination about the event by March 1.

Congratulations to the newly elected ABA officers.
They will take office on June 1. They are President- elect – Lori Hart, Recording Secretary – William Mixon, Jazz Chairman-Elect – Nick McDonald.

Together we will get through this and we will be stronger, but it will take ALL of us moving forward together. Stay Strong! This is your association. Let us all strive to make it better so that we can serve our students and the bands in our state better. We are ABA and together we CAN do great things!!!!!!

UPCOMING ABA DATES

  1. SUMMER CONFERENCE (JUNE 15-17, 2021) HAMPTON INN, ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA
  2. ALL-STATE BAND (APRIL 14-17, 2021) ARTHUR R. OUTLAW MOBILE CONVENTION CENTER, MOBILE, AL
  3. ALL-STATE BAND (APRIL 6-10, 2022) ARTHUR R. OUTLAW MOBILE CONVENTION CENTER, MOBILE, AL
  4. ALL-STATE BAND (APRIL 27-29 2023) VON BRAUN CENTER-HUNTSVILLE, AL
  5. ALL-STATE BAND (APRIL 25-27, 2024) VON BRAUN CENTER-HUNTSVILLE, AL

ABA: Passion, Pride, and Purpose

Nov 10 2020

School, as defined by Webster is “an organization that provides instruction: such as an institution for the teaching of children”. Well, Webster definitely didn’t quite have a definition that would fit everything that has come our way the past three months, but as always, music educators in the state of Alabama met it head-on and climbed every hill and mountain that was thrown at them on a weekly, daily and sometimes hourly basis. We have pulled together resources literally out of thin air at times and found ways to adapt what we do to educate our students. Music teachers have always seemed to be able to adapt to an ever-changing landscape and for that, you are to be commended. I think Walt Disney summed it up best, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing!” YOU formulated a plan of action and put it in motion. That’s what you’ve done for your students daily and I for one want to say Thank You for all the things that you do that go above and beyond to make sure that your students get the best experience possible.

As we have all said before, this year is going to be different, BUT don’t let different mean that you don’t give the best to your students and that you don’t take the time to recharge yourself professionally. The AMEA conference will have a different look, but there are some great clinics and performances planned for ABA that you won’t want to miss. The committee that selected clinics tried to make sure that we picked clinics that will inspire you and will give you what you need to help you right now. We had some outstanding clinics to choose from and because of the virtual format, we have 5 clinic spaces for this year’s conference. Make sure you take the time to renew your NAFME membership now and then register for the conference!!

The ABA membership approved the recent legislation allowing the ABA board, if needed, to move District Level All-State tryouts, Music Performance Assessment and Solo and Ensemble to virtual formats. We have two committees working right now on the Virtual All-State audition format and a committee working on what a Virtual MPA might look like if we have a situation like last Spring where schools are shut down, or schools possibly can’t travel. Both of these committees will present a final draft of their work to the ABA board for the board to consider. Our goal is to do everything in our power as a board for all of our events to happen in the second semester. This will just give us options on how these may occur during the pandemic.

At the Virtual AMEA conference, we will have two membership meetings. In the first, we will consider the legislation that was on the docket from the All-State meeting in April. You will find these online and we will email these back out to the membership. Also, the nominating committee is working to bring a slate of officers to you. According to the legislation we passed at AMEA last year, they will bring 2 candidates for each of the following offices: Vice President/President-Elect, Recording Secretary, and Jazz Vice Chairman. We will also take nominations from the floor. If you have someone you would like to nominate for any of these positions, contact any of the committee members – Chairman, Taylor Cash – Albertville High School, David Waters – Muscle Shoals High School, Michelle Gann – Gordo High School, LT Hughes – Robertsdale High School.

Stay strong!! This is your association. Let us all strive to make it better so that we can serve the students and the bands in our state better. We are ABA and together we CAN do great things!!

Terry

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