From the ABA...
Harry McAfee, President, Alabama Bandmasters Association
Ensemble, All-State Solo Festival and the Music Selection Committee faces
attending the All-State Band Festival, with special requests for approving music
even if you don’t have students who are that is not already on the cumulative list.
participating. Remember that we will be Please contact Chuck Eady with your
glyph1197ew Challenges and
discussing and voting on some very thoughts and ideas about this proposal.
important legislation that has recently
glyph1197ew Opportunities
been proposed. Be sure to read over the
Finally, the proposal to raise the All-State
registration fee is part of a plan to meet
I was very pleased, even awed, by the
proposals as they are published in this
the rising costs of doing business and to
recent events at the Alabama Music
publication (page 44). I would like to
restore ABA to a sound financial footing.
Educator’s Conference. I’m sure we were
thank the State Assessment Committee
The ABA leadership is always
all inspired by the remarks of our Keynote
for their outstanding effort to carefully
conscientious to use our income wisely
Speaker, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser. The
and thoughtfully develop a proposal that
and not to financially overburden any
concerts were all outstanding and the
not only addresses the problems we are
particular school or district. In this time
clinics were very informative and
facing but is progressive and forward
of economic woes and proration, it should
supportive. I hope you were one of the
thinking. Special thanks are due Dr. Carl
be easy to understand that something
nearly 250 band directors that we had in
Hancock for developing the online
must be done immediately. The reports I
attendance. Let’s take this opportunity to
questionnaire and providing the results of
am hearing of future proration are dismal.
thank the music department at the
the research. Many ideas have come from
We should all begin to tighten our belts
University of Alabama, Dr. Ken Ozello
the research and committee that will help
and to set aside a little for the coming
and Dr. Randall Coleman, for hosting our
to develop clinics and our mentoring
“rainy days”. We all will need to examine
conference and also presenting wonderful
programs. The ABA leadership wants to
our spending plans, especially travel, and
performances and clinics. Please make
continually find ways to help you develop
adjust accordingly. But I know that
your plans to join us again next year and
your skills as a director. We want you to
through your perseverance and
please also apply to share your expertise
be able to “fill the gaps” you may have in
dedication, we will still be able to offer
by presenting a clinic or having your band
support, finances, equipment,
our students the music education that they
perform. Doing either will also certainly
instrumentation, personnel, or whatever
deserve. Just remember…..tough times
offer you and your program a lot of
may hinder you from selecting an
don’t last but tough people do! As
growth and improvement.
appropriate piece from the cumulative list
and performing it at State Assessment.
always, please contact me if I can help
Here’s wishing you the greatest success Please call or email us if you have
you in any way. It has been an honor to
for the remainder of the year. I hope you questions or concerns that we can help
serve as your ABA President and as my
will continue to support all the remaining you with.
term ends, I’m still looking forward to
ABA events by participating in District
helping you for years to come!
and State Assessments, Solo and
The second proposal addresses problems
God Speed and God Bless!
Two Alabama Bands Selected to Participate in the
“Music For All” Concert Band Festival
Since its debut in 1992, the Music for All Concert Band Festival, Wind Ensemble, conducted by Andy Pettus, and the Shades
formerly Bands of America (BOA) glyph817ational Concert Band Valley Symphonic Band, conducted by David R. Allinder.
Festival, has been acknowledged as one of the premier Eighteen groups from around the country were selected to
educational events for America's high school concert bands. The participate in this prestigious event. Each group will perform a
Festival's mission is to focus a national spotlight on the core of full concert for a panel of esteemed band conductors. Students
our nation's band programs, the concert band. This year’s and directors will receive clinics and performances from world-
festival will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 19-21 renown musicians. In addition, 8 musicians from Hillcrest High
and will feature two Alabama bands, the Hillcrest High School School will be participating in the National Honor Band.
14 February 2009
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