Harry McAfee, President
Alabama Bandmasters Association
I hope you were able to wrap up a successful year and get some well deserved rest over the summer. As I write this, I have just returned from another success- ful ABA Summer In-Service Conference at Orange Beach. It was so nice to get away for a few days to fellowship and learn with those of you that were there. We had approxi- mately 95 registered and it is my hope that more of you will attend and the conference will continue to grow.
I
especially appreciate my first opportunity as your President to meet with our District Chairmen and Board. We are blessed with outstanding leadership in every aspect of our organization and I'm looking forward to working with you!
Special thanks are due to Art's Music Shop, and specifical- ly Becky Lightfoot, for their support of our conference. Becky again prepared all the music for the Music Selection Committee to review and assisted in arranging for Mr. Greg Smith from Hal Leonard to do our Technology Clinics. Becky will also be working this com- ing year with our Selection Committee to review and update our Cumulative list. We were also provided a quick but very informative percussion clinic by three of our best percussion teachers, Jeff Fondren, David Waters, and Keith Anderson. I consider Dr. Johnny Jacobs to be a dear friend and the most significant mentor in my career as a director. It was wonderful to hear his thoughts on solving many of the problems that are most prevalent in our class- rooms.
And finally, it was also a treat to hear James Thompson in his rendition of the "Old Fogey Series". His words were not only humorous but encouraging, thought provoking, and uplifting. Many thanks to you all!
I have recommended changes and our new Vice President, Becky Rodgers, has plans to take a fresh approach to selecting and approving music for our use. Thanks are also due to those that have agreed to serve on her committee. Part of the plan is to arrange for the Selection Committee to have an additional meeting and more time to fulfill their tasks. Please refer any questions or comments about music selection to Ms. Rodgers. For District Assessment I am strongly urging each of you to make your "required" music selection from the already very adequate list. Your bands may then also play whatever you desire as your sec- ond or third selection.
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It is also my desire to continue to improve and update our ABA website.
The ABA site is attached to the AMEA
website at
www.alabamamea.org. Please go to the website and download all the forms that you will need to register for our events. The new forms will be on the site by the time school begins. Since we are constantly reviewing and updating the forms, be sure to discard old ones and use only the ones from the website. In talking with Executive Secretary, Gene Gooch, and many of your District Chairmen, I find that they are often frustrated by directors that fail to meet our registration deadlines. Be aware that we intend to enforce our deadlines and those who do not comply may be fined or refused the opportu- nity to participate in our events. Remember also that you must be a member in good standing of MENC in order for your students to participate in our ABA events and in order for you to have a vote at business meetings. All member- ships must be renewed by the end of June. If you are a new director or did not receive a renewal form visit the MENC website at
www.menc.org to obtain a membership form.
The 2008 AMEA Conference is scheduled to be held at the University of Alabama on January 10-12. Please note that this is a week earlier than our usual conference so call and make your reservations accordingly. Please read the pro- posal submitted by the All-State Alignment Committee as we will discuss and vote on that legislation at our business meetings. Other proposals submitted by Mr. Gooch are just to update, clarify, or clean up our bylaws and hand- book.
Finally, I am reminded of one of the comments that James Thompson made at the "Old Fogey" Clinic. We are all ultimately responsible and must take ownership of the progress our bands make. If there is to be a change, we must see that it happens. Dr. Jacobs also reminded us that there is no real learning taking place unless there is an evi- dent change in behavior or performance. Insist and Persist!
Here's wishing you the most success in your preparation and performances for this coming year. If I can ever be of service to you, please call me!
August 2007
From the ABA...
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