From the President...
Pat Stegall, AMEA President
A Trail of Mentors!
My life as a music educator has been instrumental music major at UNA-to
filled with great mentors. Fortunately for encourage me…a band director in college right pathway. Finally…my wife who,
me, the first friend I made in the sixth that was a clarinet player-to challenge because she is the daughter of a band
grade, when my family moved to me…a college roommate that was a jazz director, understands how much time is
Alabama in 1969, was a son of a band lover-to expand my musical required to do the job…most of the time.
director. I was not in band at the time, but interests…another band director that was How could I not be a band director?
he was, and soon after I met him, I found incredibly good at teaching style and Thanks to all of those people who pointed
myself holding a clarinet, squeaking out technique-to give me the building the way! I would not be the person I am
the notes to “Go Tell Aunt Rhodie.” I had blocks…a principal in my first job that without those valuable mentors along the
always enjoyed music (mother had me was a former band director- to put up with way.
marching around the room to the music of my immature mistakes…another
Sousa, with a toy trumpet in my hand and principal that left me alone-to learn on my As we wrapped up the AMEA Conference
a drum around my neck when I was only own…a businessman that helped me get on Saturday, I couldn’t help but think of
three) so it just seemed natural to be a part the background needed-to work the all those people that put me in the position
of the band. business side of the job…a friend who to be able to serve as President. I also was
graciously bowed out-to make it possible so thankful for those leaders that carefully
During those years I made many for me to come to Muscle Shoals…a planned our wonderful conference.
friends…almost all of them through the superintendent and principal who stuck Thanks to the AMEA Governing Board
experiences we shared in band. and our Executive Director, Garry
Another best friend came along, Taylor, for their expertise and their
in the seventh grade, whose passion for Music Education. We
father was also a band director. I are so very blessed to have a
was hooked. I had two best thoughtful and committed board to
friends and both of their fathers rely on in planning. The University
were band directors. These two of Alabama School of Music and
men were role models for me for Dr. Skip Snead were very generous
the next 10 years. I listened in and cooperative in making the
their homes as they shared conference facilities available.
stories of things they had Thanks to John Baker and his
experienced as teachers. I efforts to provide information to our
traveled with them to band FAME students. Thanks to our
events and witnessed them exhibitors for their part in making
teaching private students and Cousin Ricky, AMEA President Pat Stegall (with drum), the conference a successful event.
soaked in everything they said another cousin Miriam, and sister Mary Jane Thanks to Cindy Pass for her hard
and did. I knew from watching in our first band. work organizing and heading up
them that being a band director registration this year and for the
was what I wanted to do. by me and supported me-to help me get past several years. Cindy has recently
my feet on the ground…a leadership resigned as AMEA treasurer for health
As I progressed in my knowledge, I counselor who helped me develop a reasons and we will definitely miss her.
realized that being a band director was leadership program-to motivate my Thanks to all those who volunteered their
going to take a long time to master. There students…another principal who took a time and talent as performers, clinicians,
were so many different levels to sincere interest in what band could do-to presiders, registration workers, stage
understand. People kept being put in the help students…a father-in-law who was a crew, and so many other duties. And
right place to help me with my journey. former band director of Muscle Shoals-to finally, thank you for attending the
Parents that were and still are very set the standards to try to achieve, my conference…it was designed with you in
supportive…a youth director/choir mentors as a teacher have been so mind by a trail of mentors.
director at church that was an numerous, but each one showed me the
ala breve 9
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