The NBA 2006 National Convention

Two Successful Ventures: Overview and Wrap-Up
by Linda Moorhouse, Immediate Past-President

The NBA National Biennial Convention is generally the last major project of the NBA President. This time around the 2006 NBA Community Band served as that vehicle, as for the first time they met separately on their own in Las Vegas. Both events helped solidify NBA's position as a national and international leader in the profession, and also concluded another successful biennium.

The 2006 NBA National Convention was a most memorable and rewarding three days. This biennium's event was held June 21-23 in conjunction with the Bands of America Summer Symposium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. This was the second venture with Bands of America, the first being two years ago. Our clinics were held at the beginning of BOA's symposium week, were well attended, and were full of outstanding information for young and old alike. In addition, our two concerts were outstanding, with capacity crowds at each event.

Highlights of our convention program included: our Young Composer and Young Conductor Mentor Projects organized by Mark Camphouse and Paula Crider respectively, and our project ensemble, the Prairie Winds, conducted by Robert Sheldon; Young Composer Mentor clinicians Mark Camphouse, Julie Giroux and James Curnow; Young Conductor Mentor clinicians Robert Ponto, Robert Rumbelow and Gary Sousa; Young Composer mentees Vincent Oppido, Kathryn Salfelder and Chris Teichler; and Young Conductor mentees Reed Chamberlain, Craig Davis and Tony Marinello. Clinicians included Sam Hazo, Paula Crider, Tom Fraschillo, Bobby Adams, David Gregory, Frank Wickes, Kozo Yoshimi, Mark Camphouse, Julie Giroux, James Curnow, Robert Rumbelow, Robert Ponto, Gary Sousa, David Vandewalker, and Jess Gerardi. The Anjo Gakuen Wind Orchestra (Japan), conducted by Kozo Yoshimi, gave a (multi) standing ovation concert. The students in this group also raised and donated close to $500 to NBA's Hurricane Relief Project.

The NBA/BOA collaboration would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of Bands of America. President Scott McCormick, Executive Vice-President Eric Martin, Educational Director Dean Westman, and Symposium Director Gary Markham, along with the remarkable BOA staff, were more than gracious and supportive during our time with them.

Three weeks later, the 2004-2006 biennium came to its ñofficialî close with the 2006 NBA National Community Band concert in Las Vegas on the campus of University of Nevada-Las Vegas. This biennium's concert was one of the most successful events ever as the band played to a packed house on the UNLV campus--we even turned people away at the door! This year's conductor, NBA Past President (and newly inducted NBA Hall of Fame member) Robert E. (Bob) Foster, and our NBA Community Band Chair, Gerald Guilbeaux, can be applauded for their work on this most triumphant venture. Bob artfully led the band through a ñSousa on the Sripî concert, complete with him dressed up as the American icon himself. Other concert highlights include the solo work of Kevin Bobo (xylophone), Steve Reisling (cornet), and soprano Amy Mein. I would be remiss if I did not mention this was Gerald's last event as NBA Community Band Chair. He has served NBA magnificently for eight years in the position. I also need to thank UNLV band directors Tom Leslie and Tony LaBounty for all their help in making the weekend event so successful. It was a great way to finish the biennium!

There is no way I can thank appropriately those who contributed their time and talents, and further demonstrated their commitment to our profession through service to our organization during the national convention. Please know how much I appreciate your professionalism. I want to thank also those hundreds of NBA members who supported our work and convention through attendance at it or assistance in preparation for it. Without that enthusiastic encouragement and willingness to provide whatever was asked, our biennial gathering would not have been the highly successful musical and educational venture it was. My sincere gratitude and humble appreciation are expressed to all who played a part in this massive undertaking. Your commitment helped make the NBA even stronger.