Shelley and I have had a great time in our first year on the Texas Bandmasters Association Board of Directors. Speaking for both of us, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you this year. TBA has given a great deal to me in the past and I am enjoying the chance to serve and give back for a change.

Being on the board has provided us a wonderful opportunity to meet people from across the state that we would not have had the chance to meet ordinarily I have especially enjoyed spending time with TBA Executive Director, Al Sturchio. Al has done more for TBA than anyone and truly cares about our association. As Al retires he will leave a gap that will be hard to fill, but I am confident that the next Executive Director will be well qualified. I thank Susan Scarborough and the other members of the search committee for their hard work in this process.

After this year I have come to realize just how fortunate we are to be band directors in Texas. We have more opportunities for professional development locally than any other place in the world. We are also fortunate to have a location like San Antonio that has beautiful convention facilities, a concert hall, housing and great restaurants all within walking distance. I have also been continually impressed with the professionalism and dedication shown by the TBA staff and the other members of the board. The work that goes into organizing the convention and professional development clinics is extensive and there is never a board meeting that goes by where the question is not asked "Is this best for the membership of TBA?"

I encourage as many of you as possible, especially new teachers, to become involved at your region or state level. If given the chance to serve, take it. This is very important to the continued success of the band programs in Texas and is an obligation that we must not deny our students. The band directors who organized events like all-region band competitions and hosted solo and ensemble contests when we were students ourselves gave us all the opportunity to growas young musicians. I know that being an organizer for region band or hosting a contest is not a very glamorous job, but it is vital that it gets done. It is also a great way to start meeting people outside of your school and district. Fellowship among directors has been a cornerstone of our profession for a long time. When you think about it, the strong relationships we build in our profession are what separate being a band director from many other professions.

I hope that the convention gave you the charge you needed to start a great year. Being a band director in Texas can be an overwhelming task. Expectations on us are high, but the rewards are great. Do your best to get past all the paperwork and parents, and down to the real business of band: building capable young people through the art of teaching music.

Fellowship among directors has been a cornerstone of our profession for a long time.

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