March 2008 - volume 9 - issue 3
Al Sturchio, Executive Director
During my tenure as Executive Director of the Texas Bandmasters Association, I have had the opportunity to work with the finest and most dedicated person in the field of music education I know. If you do not know Mr. Robert Floyd personally, you need to meet him and talk with him about his outlook on music education and what it offers the teachers and students in the schools of Texas. Learn about what he does for you and your students in his life as the man who informs our Texas legislators and Texas Education Agency Members what they should know about Texas Music Education and the dedicated music teacher in the schools of Texas.
—Al Sturchio
Robert Floyd currently serves as Executive Director of the Texas Music Educators Association and resides in Austin with his family. Prior to moving to Austin in June 1993, Floyd taught instrumental music in the Richardson ISD for 25 years.
Under his direction the Berkner High School Band Program increased in size by over 200 students and won numerous honors in both UIL and major festival competitions. In 1986 the Berkner Program was one of seven band programs in the nation to receive the coveted Sudler Award presented by the Sousa Foundation to recognize excellence in public school instrumental music. In 1974, 1986 and again in 1990 the Symphonic I band was selected by a series of taped auditions as the outstanding concert band in its class in the State of Texas. In 1990 the Berkner Band was one of five bands in the country to perform at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Floyd has received the Ross Perot Award for Teaching Excellence in the Richardson ISD. He has served as the high school representative on the National Band Association Board on two different occasions and in 1986 was one of eight band directors in the United States elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association. In 1992 Floyd was one of ten band directors in the United States named to the Legion of Honor by the Sousa Foundation. In 1997 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Texas Society of Association Executives. He was also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Dallas Wind Symphony and served as resident conductor of that organization prior to his move to Austin. In 2003 he was named TBA Bandmaster of the Year.
In Floyd's position as Executive Director of TMEA he is responsible for management of the association, production of the annual clinic/convention which has over 21,000 people in attendance, editing the monthly journal, The Southwestern Musician, and lobbying the Legislature and State Board of Education to promote and preserve fine arts in the public schools of Texas. He also serves as Chair of the Texas Coalition for Arts Education and serves on the Board of the Texas Music Project.
