The Women Band Directors International (WBDI) was officially chartered on December 18, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois as the Women Band Directors National Association. In December 1997, the organization officially adopted the current name, and in December 2007 we celebrated our 38th anniversary at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago.

WBDI is an organization in which every woman band director is represented at the international level regardless of the length of her experience, or the level at which she works. It is the only international organization for women band directors, and is intended to serve as an association which supports, promotes, and mentors women in the band field. The organization officially meets twice a year - at the Midwest Band Clinic and the summer meeting generally held in June. The organization provides many valuable articles in their publication The Woman Conductor that is published annually. The website (www.womenbanddirectors. org) also provides much information that is current to today's Woman Band Director. The column written on the website by Judy Grimes "Ask A Mentor" always provides information for today's classroom. WBDI provides eight different scholarships that can assist young ladies majoring in music. The scholarships are listed on the website and the application can be downloaded from the website. The organization also gives many member awards and also recognizes outstanding educators regardless of their gender, with the Al G Wright award. WDBI also awards the Summa Cum Laude and the Magna Cum Laude Award to outstanding schools in both middle and high school with enrollments of less than 600. The organization prides itself with its rich history and tradition of outstanding members. The purpose of WBDI has always been to promote women band directors and assist them in all aspects of their careers.

WBDI is very excited to be a part of TBA this summer. The organization is presenting a clinic and also holding a reception in hopes to have additional members in the group. The state of Texas has some of the finest women directors in the country. It will indeed be a thrill for the organization not only to meet outstanding women band directors, but we also hope to meet many of the male directors as well. Our hope is to make lasting relationships and create special bonds with the members of TBA when we attend the convention this summer. I feel sure our members will all return home with much new knowledge and many new Texas friends. Many thanks to TBA for allowing for WBDI to participate in this summer's convention. We feel that is an honor to be in San Antonio with TBA.