From Dr. John Culvahouse, NBA President

Hello Band Directors and Friends!

On the State of the National Band Association:

Some of you gave the Executive Committee quite a scare. A few weeks ago, membership renewal was quite bleak and concern arose in a huge way. Thanks to our automated email reminder system, I renewed by April 1 (my deadline and many of us NBA “old-timers” deadline). We are assuming (and probably should not) that the system is working. Dues have trickled in and we hope to be able to survive everyday operating expenses. Still, if you have not renewed or sponsored a friend or new colleague, please take care of business now! From the March electronic Journal:

“Coming soon in the June Journal will be the announcement of our newest composition contest. This unique format has a great sponsorship for incentive and an educational pilot program before the selection. Look for that information in June. Names and specifics will be announced clearly at that time. Hint ­ the composition contest will target the middle school band market with new quality literature as the goal.”

Here it is! It is a pleasure to introduce the NBA Alfred Publications Young Band Composition Contest. Many thanks are due to Dr. Tonya Millsap, Elementary/Middle School/Junior High Board Representative for spearheading this project. With some input from other Board members, this project will certainly be a hit for composers of quality literature for the young band. An additional huge thank you is to Robert Sheldon for securing the Alfred sponsorship and believing in this initiative. Below is a quick description of the project that will go live in 2012 with a call for compositions.

1). Publication in Alfred’s premier “Young Symphonic Series”**
2). $2,000 advance on future royalties once composition is released for sale (when enough copies of the piece are sold to cover the advance, the composer would receive the normal royalty rate as deemed by Alfred Publications)
3). Recognition in National Music Publications
4). Recognition at National Music Conventions
**Alfred would have the right to not select a winner if the compositions are not worthy of this particular series. Contest winner must also be willing to work with Alfred in the final editing stages if needed.

More information will be published as the appropriate time nears.

On the time of year: Post-“Festival” Season and Summer Break?!

I heard many great bands in the past 3 months. I observed many great conductors and teachers of great bands. We are strong and flourishing despite cutbacks and other austere measures. Continue to be strong and continue to grow and we will not only survive but flourish to higher degrees of excellence. Of course, I am privileged to hear great local bands and observe so many former students teaching and conducting. Gratification. Thank you friends! I’ll be returning to Massachusetts in July to work with band directors in that state. Bands there are getting better because they are working, listening, and pushing forward, always gaining strength. Those directors/teachers are listeners and I learn from them each time I am working in their state.

But do find time for some “break.” Cliché as it may seem, we do need to rest and maybe re-charge those batteries. I looked at a high school summer calendar today while finding a contact number and address. I hope that band director finds some break time. The band students will need some time off as well. I always promoted everyone working 100% but not 100% of time on this earth. Budget the time with work and that “break” and you can have success. Oh, I told my students never try to give more than 100%. You will wear something out! 100% is just fine. By the way, that band director I was looking up for another friend, is not an NBA member, which us why I had to go to that school website and search. I often encourage people who ask “do you have so ‘n so’s number?” to simply go the NBA website, Members Directory in the left menu and find it. Try it; it works, as long as each member keeps his or her information current! Check it out!?

The Summer Coda:

Use the NBA Awards. Go to the website and click on that menu item. I just ordered Summer Outstanding Camper Awards for the KSU Summer Music Clinic band Campers. John Darling will take care of your camp certificate needs. So will Doug Phillips on all the other citation awards. Use them to recognize students, boosters, and conductors; those awards are a part of your NBA! I always let me hear from you. Actually, a few do!

John Culvahouse
President
National Band Association

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