Harry McAfee, President
Alabama Bandmasters Association Greetings,
I hope that you have had a successful marching season and by this time are preparing for your District Assessment. Those of you who want to have a new selection approved should have it to Becky Rodgers by the AMEA Conference. I am again encouraging you to choose your selected piece from the present list. I recognize that there are many wonderful new pieces being published, but if you only play the newest pieces you miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and understanding of the liter- ature. I’m sure your students will benefit from working on a grade level march, one of the selected oldies, and play- ing a newer piece as your third number. Remember that you can access the full list at our web site.
Let’s also keep working to improve our channels of com- munication. I am having constant difficulty in reaching and communicating with members because of the infor- mation in our directory being outdated. Make sure you send your updates to your District Chairman or Gene Gooch. Email has become one of the best ways to com- municate so be sure to also include your email address. I am hoping that we can eventually move to a “paperless” directory and cumulative list.
I have recently received a number of inquiries about the new requirements for the PE Waiver.
Each of
you will eventually have to make a decision on how to address this issue. Take a look at what has already been approved and make your application accord- ingly.
After you receive approval, you will need to develop your own lesson plans to implement your proposal. You must also find a PE teacher or coach that will over see your plans and will assist you with the President’s
18
Physical Fitness Test. Be sure to document what you are doing by keeping a file on each student. Contact me if you need additional information about the PE Waiver.
I am excited about the upcoming AMEA Conference and I encourage you to make every effort to attend. We will be featuring bands from the middle School, high School, and college levels. These bands spend many hours preparing to perform for us and we want to be sure that these per- formances are well attended. Support the efforts of these students and your colleagues by packing the house! There are a number of clinics that you should find helpful in expanding your knowledge of our trade. Choose the clin- ics that will be most meaningful to you and also find time to browse and shop with our exhibitors. The fees that the exhibitors pay to display their goods and services help to pay for our conference. Visit with them and thank them for choosing to come to our conference.
If you are a new director, I would especially like to invite you to the session that Becky Rodgers and I are hosting called “Functions of the ABA”. Even if you are an expe- rienced director, you may find some of the information valuable, and can even contribute if there is time. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!
ABA Clinics at AMEA 2008
Building a Better Trumpet Section - Dr. Carly Johnson Practical Flute and Clarinet Solutions - Ed Sueta Score Study: Determine Function to Attain Balance - Dr. Ken Ozzello Three Critical Concerns for the High School Band Director - Dr. James Smisek Functions of the ABA - Harry McAfee and Becky Rodgers Acoustical Myth Busters - Dr. Carl Hancock Reading Band - The Music of Douglas Akey and Anne McGinty - Dr. Carl Hancock
ABA Concerts at AMEA 2008
Minor High School Band, Carlton Wright, Director Oak Grove High School Band, Ryan Fitchpatrick, Director Jacksonville State University Chamber Winds, Ken Bodiford, Director Thompson Middle School Band, Connie Hammond, Director Shades Valley High School Band, David Allinder, Director Alabama Wind Ensemble, Ken Ozzello, Director All-State Jazz Band, Ramon Vasquez, Clinician
October 2007
From the ABA...
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60