NBA NEWS
From Dr. John Culvahouse, NBA President
Hello Band Directors!
On Bands, Band Music and Membership . . .
Happy Spring to all. I just had the distinct weeklong privilege of hearing some of the finest middle school and high school bands anywhere. The occasion was as is for many of you this time of year a district concert festival, or here in Georgia, Large Group Performance Evaluation. Great characteristic sounds, imaginative programming, accurate and energetic technical displays, and professional demeanor were all evident from the majority of the ensembles I heard and/or made comments for. Above all was an unmistakable passion for our craft of teaching and performing band music. This is serious music making and serious business. This particular district, where my home and university reside, can be a model for many areas in many states. As I addressed an audience at the January 2010 Georgia Music Educators Conference following a performance by the Lassiter High School Symphonic Band, Alfred Watkins, conductor, I said that band is strong in the State of Georgia. I then presented the Citation of Excellence.
Now, some readers who know of the area now will say, that specific area and district has resources so they should be successful. Yes and yes, I agree. But this district has a very special combination of population, resources, and the majority of positioning of the right teachers in successful environments. One of the highlights of the week was one of the bands with a more challenging school environment for success in the arts. That performance in grade IV was a culmination of excellent teaching, nurturing, and motivation resulting in a crisp and tuneful performance of Charles Carter's Overture for Winds. That performance was refreshing, invigorating, and rewarding to my rather seasoned ears and musical palate. The director of that band is an NBA member. Which brings me to a charge to all NBA members.
When I addressed those of you in attendance at our Annual General Membership Meeting at the Midwest Clinic I offered a challenge that was to go to the entire membership. Here it is. While not a new push for increasing NBA membership, I encourage each and every one of you to sponsor a new member. "ONE for ONE." Just resembling the shoes program where a company sends a pair to someone in need for each pair purchased. More band directors and band enthusiasts involved will only bring more light to bands and band music. Please join Past President Bobby Adams and me in this charge. We have already and personally sponsored two or more new and/or returning members. Currently still only $45.00. That is less than my dinner total the other night. Come join us, "ONE for ONE!"
Our late president Colonel Finley R. Hamilton was an advocate for increased membership. You come from many walks as he came from the rich grass roots band world in Kentucky and took a path that developed into an astonishing career in the military band world. Maybe you can identify a new member in your community professionally, geographically or maybe a young new member of the band world. Click on Join the NBA and enter the new member information and have a credit card handy. It only takes a very few minutes of your time and dollars.
On Bands and Current Economics and Society . . .
Just recently, at the Southern Division Conference, we heard NBA bands from three Southern states and from a variety of educable populations. We heard excellent performances by fine bands under strong leadership and direction. For those who were fortunately able to be in attendance in Oxford, Mississippi, (I paid my own out-of-pocket expenses as travel funds were depleted), we also were thrilled by the Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare Wind Orchestra from Japan. This writer humbly extends kudos of highest esteem to the NBA directors whose bands performed. We were afforded a stunning band music experience in beautiful facilities with amiable hosts.
Moving to another parts of the United States, I have been fortunate to be able to hear bands in other areas of our great country including Massachusetts where I am a returning adjudicator for MICCA. Every time I return to that area I hear improvement, not back stepping. I hear better ensembles and I detect smarter choices, better teaching and conducting, and stronger support of the performing bands and orchestras that participate. The directors and attending parents (and they pay admission) are receptive and excited, regardless if they are in an area with or without positive resources. I look forward to a return engagement in that state this year.
So, with these examples, I think there is strength in our profession and not just in isolated pockets. Just last night, after hearing one of those strong grade VI bands at the local performance event, a young music teacher and NBA member came to me and said that he was in the job search again with some personnel cuts just announced in his school district, a district immediately adjacent to the one in which I reside. While the young band music teacher was disappointed, he was there, listening to bands, supporting bands and band music as I was, and he was optimistic. I cannot state some facts for arts advocacy any better than current First Vice-President Paula Thornton has in her recent messages. So as to not attempt to re-invent a wheel here, I steer you to her previous messages found:
October 2009, Volume 64, Number 3, issue of The Instrumentalist
http://www.nationalbandassociation.org/ Click on Publications, then NBA Journal (May 2009),
Her messages and the facts presented, as well as the links she provided, are a useful arsenal for assistance with any threatening slurs toward or program cuts. Her wisdom is priceless for anyone needing assistance with advocacy for his or her position or program. Thank you Paula.
Be strong, be a voice for other colleagues and programs, and try to stay positive and optimistic about bands and the arts in general. What with position and salary cuts, furlough days, and other seemingly drastic measures, we will all get through this. If I can be a voice for you, please call on me as I stated in my last message. Two did call on me. I hope that I helped or helped steer them in the right direction or delegation. As I stated at the end of my last Journal message to you, I quote myself:
"Better yet, and in the meantime, email or call me and I will be happy to assist more "face-to-face!" I will make time for you and I look forward to speaking to you."
On NBA for Yourself, Your Program, or a maybe that new member you will sponsor . . .
Once again and always, I invite you to visit the NBA website, now to discover or re-discover important news and events and especially the left hand column of topic headings for click-on information. NBA events listed there that are of immediate interest are the following:
NBA Young Conductor Mentor Project will take place this summer
November 1, 2010 deadlines
1. NBA Research Grants
2. NBA/William D. Revelli Composition Contest
3. NBA/Merrill Jones Composition Contest
2010 CONN SELMER INSTITUTE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
On Closing . . .
I know that you will enjoy the articles in the May 2010 NBA Journal. Share that publication with others by each of you or maybe each household in some cases supporting a new member. Take time as I am now to thank the author/contributors. I thank them for their expertise, substance, practicality, usefulness, and maybe for a little humor, as in "On the Lighter Side . . .". As a band director, I believe in what you do on a daily basis and what you can strive to do for yourself professionally. Let the NBA help you. I would appreciate talking to you and the NBA appreciates what you do for bands and band music.
Talk soon?
John Culvahouse
President
National Band Association
NBA at the 2009 MIDWEST CLINIC
Congratulations to Ray Cramer, who has been selelcted to be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors. More information will follow on the date of the induction.
Congratulations to James Croft, who was selected to the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts. Dr. Croft will be presented with the AWAPA materials at the Midwest Clinic next December during the NBA General Membership Meeting.
We are pleased to announce that John Mackey has won the 2009 NBA/WIlliam D. Revelli Composition Contest with his work, Aurora Awakes.
In the case of the 2009 NBA/Merrill Jones Composition Contest, no winner was selected. The contest will now be held in 2010.
NBA MEMBERS PERFORM AT THE 2010 CBDNA/NBA SOUTHERN DIVISION CONFERENCE
Congratulations to all who performed in concert!
*Farragut High School Symphonic Band, Knoxville, TN - Ron Rogers, conductor
*Henderson County High School Wind Ensemble, Henderson, KY - Steven Page, conductor
*Hillcrest High School Wind Ensemble, Tuscaloosa, AL - Andy Pettus, conductor
*Leon High School Symphonic Band, Tallahassee, FL - David Thornton, conductor
*Satellite High School Wind Ensemble, Satellite Beach, FL - Mark Nelson, conductor
*University of Mississippi Wind Ensemble, Oxford, MS - David Willson, conductor
*University of Kentucky Wind Ensemble, Lexington, KY - John Cody Birdwell, conductor
*Louisiana State University Symphonic Winds, Baton Rouge, LA - Linda Moorhouse, conductor
*University of South Florida Wind Ensemble, Tampa, FL - John Carmichael, conductor
NBA 2010 YOUNG COMPOSER/CONDUCTOR MENTOR PROJECT WINNERS
Congratulations to the following composer and conductors who have been chosen to participate in the 2010 event which will take place in June on the campus of Illinois State University.
(1) Composer Viet Pham Cuong (Peabody Conservatory of Music); his composition is Ziggurat, 11 minutes duration. Viet is paired with conductor Erin Bodnar of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Terry Austin, Director of Bands at Virginia Commonwealth University, will serve as conducting mentor to Ms. Bodnar.
(2) Composer Jess Turner (Hartt School of Music); his composition is Rumpelstilzchen . . . A Fairy Tale for Symphonic Wind Ensemble, 18 minutes duration in three movements. Jess is paired with conductor Brian Messier of Amherst, Massachussetts. Dr. David Whitwell, Director of Bands Emeritus of California State University, will serve as conducting mentor to Mr. Messier.
(3) Composer Costas Dafnis (Centenary College of Louisiana); his composition is Parliament in Flight, 7 minutes duration. Costas is is paired with conductor Dustin Barr of Yorba Linda, California. Thomas Dvorak, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, will serve as conducting mentor to Mr. Barr.
Composer Mentors are Mark Camphouse, Thomas Duffy and Joseph Turrin. The 2010 Project will be coordinated by Mark Camphouse and Paula Crider. Thank you to Scott McCormick and Music for All for their financial assistance and support of this event.
November 1, 2010 deadlines
NBA Research Grants
NBA/William D. Revelli Composition Contest
NBA/Merrill Jones Composition Contest
2010 CONN SELMER INSTITUTE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
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