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Tips That Click Phi Beta Mu


Welcome to a new column that is designed to share information gleaned from some of the most distinguished and experienced instrumental music teachers in the state. It is the hope of Phi Beta Mu that all of us can learn (and relearn) from this knowledge. The focus of this issue’s column is information that would lead to a smooth beginning for a new director or a director starting in a new position. Below are the responses of four prominent band directors who wished to share with all of us.


Our first contributor is Tommy Brannan, who is a member of the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame, Past-President of the


Alabama


Bandmasters Association and was for many years the Band Director at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport. His advice to new directors is: “Be organized! Know what your responsibilities are and take care of them in a timely fashion. Plan your year in advance verifying all dates, activities, and place them on the school calendar (during the summer). This proactive effort helps your administrator and others avoid conflicts. Be a good faculty member! Don’t isolate yourself in the bandroom. Help out with other activities and been seen as “part of the team”. Brannan concludes with: “Get a good mentor(s). Having more than one is a good thing! Ask questions and then listen and accept their advice”.


Dan Havely was the band director at Athens High School for thirty years and still directs the Athens Community Band and teaches at Athens State College. Dan’s high school bands were always among the finest in the state and the he attributes this to a simple principle: “Don’t cheat the fundamentals. Spend lots of time on long tones and making sure that every student is engaged in producing the best tone possible.” Havely continues by stating: “ Breath support is a concept that can affect positively or negatively almost every area of instrumental assessment. Tone, balance, blend, intonation, precision, and articulation are all influenced by breath support”.


Mike Jones served as band director at Hewitt-Trussville Junior High and Hewitt-Trussville High School for over twenty-five years. He is still serving band directors every week as an adjunct instructor, which gives him plenty of opportunities to see “what works” in band programs. He offers two tips that he believes were crucial to his success. “My first piece of advice for a new teacher would be to find a really good experienced band director (or maybe two) and worry them to death asking questions. I learned more my first few years from guys like Charley Hulgan and Larry Deagon. I was constantly asking them how to do this and that. Any real teacher will be glad to pass along helpful advice. My second piece of advice is plan, plan, plan!!! Too many teachers try to fly by the seat of their


PLAN AHEAD!


The 2011 AMEA In-Service Conference will be January 20-22 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center. Use the pre-registration form in this issue or register on-line at www.alabamamea.org. Reserve your room at the conference rate by clicking on the link on the main page of the website.


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pants. Have a plan for your rehearsal and stick to it. Your students are not stupid. They know when you are just bluffing and wasting their time! Both of these tips worked for me and helped me in my career.”


Our final contributor, Pat Stegall, has been the director for over two decades at Muscle Shoals High School, and has also served as AMEA President and many other positions in AMEA and ABA. His reflections on what directors entering a new position are: “When in Rome, Do as the Romans do! Do not try to change everything at once — Slow and steady wins the race. Your job is about providing opportunities for students to find success, no matter what level you are on. Keep your life in balance. (The hardest one for me, personally). Keep your relationships with students, parents, teachers and administrators “professional”. Learn everyone’s name as quickly as possible. They all know yours! Play more, talk less. Make plans now to attend the AMEA Conference in Montgomery. You will need the experience to energize you”.


The membership of Phi Beta Mu hopes that all new (and old) band directors and music educators have a great start to your best year ever!


Email Phil Min at pemin@me.com if you have suggestions for the “Tips That Click” columns in future issues of Ala Breve.


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