John Cooper - President, Alabama Bandmasters Association Band Director or Music Teacher?


A friend of mine, who passed away several years ago and was a band director himself, was famous for referring to band directors as “band correctors.” It seems that much of our time is spent correcting errors and there is no doubt that this will continue.


However, from time to time, I wonder if we spend too much time correcting errors and not enough time teaching music. If our students can correctly finger all the notes in a piece in g minor, but cannot aurally identify minor and major tonality, have we taught them enough? If they understand their own part well enough to make a superior at contest, but don’t understand the relationship of their part to the whole, or understand the whole, have we taught them enough?


Many of us have the texts, Teaching Music Through Performance in Band (GIA Publications, Inc.). These textbooks are an invaluable resource to band directors in identifying potential pieces for our ensembles because they often specify ranges and list the solo instruments and give us an idea of technical demands. I hope that you use the texts for more than that!


These texts offer information on


history, form, and make connections between other important pieces of music. These are the elements from which a well- rounded music education can be constructed.


In January we will have the opportunity to expand our professional knowledge by attending the


AMEA In-Service


Conference. Register now! Make plans to attend so that you can network with other band directors, become involved in the direction of the ABA, learn from experienced clinicians, and hear some of the best bands in the state.


In addition, take some time to listen to some of the best vocal ensembles in the state. These ensembles will be performing some of the finest of choral literature and can teach us a great deal about blend and balance. Most importantly, make plans on attending the first performance by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at an Alabama Music Educators Conference. Become involved in Music Education throughout our state!


If you have not registered on Teloga.com it is important that you do so. In the near


Alabama Jazz Chair Randall Key


I would like to extend my gratitude to each and every band director who has encouraged students to submit auditions for the All-State Jazz Bands. Last year over 130 students submitted auditions for the All-State Jazz Bands and 60 were selected. Almost half of the students who submitted auditions were selected to participate in the All-State Jazz experience. I would also like to extend a special invitation to each director to encourage student participation in the auditions. We hope to sustain three bands for years to come which means audition participation must continue to grow.


All-State Jazz Band audition material is available on the AMEA/ABA website. The deadline for registration and for submitting audition recordings is November 2.


Phi Beta Mu Director’s Planning Guide


Rho Chapter has created a free Director’s Planning Guide to help you plan your way to a successful year! This publication has many helpful suggestions, and has plenty of room for you to add notes or adapt to your individual situation. This free and valuable booklet is available on the Alabama Bandmasters Association website (see the sidebar menu) or can be requested by emailing: pemin@mac.com


ala breve 9


future, this will not only replace our Directory, but also become an important tool for


communication and registration to events.


How do you register? 1. Visit http://teloga.com


2. Create an account using the sidebar on the right. Remember to use your school email address so your District Chairman can confirm your identity.


3. Visit the ABA Network on Teloga (http://teloga.com/networks/aba/) 4. Scroll down and mark your connection type to the ABA as a “Director.”


5. Provide your full profile update 6. Click “Update Profile” to save


And you are done!


I want to again thank all the District Chairmen for their ongoing work through the year. They do so much to organize all our events. Please thank them by being on time as you register for each event!


See you at AMEA!


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