At this time of year, I know most of you are busy with preparation for UIL Concert and Sightreading Contests, plans for spring trips and festivals, honor band recordings, concerts, and recruiting. I wish you and your students much success in all these important endeavors. Sometimes, however, we all need to take a moment and reflect on the importance of music in our lives and why being a band director is such a worthwhile career. I hope that Dr. Karl Paulnack’s article in this Bandmasters Review (page 16) will be as informative and inspirational for you as it is for me. One’s love of music combined with the love of teaching young people is the perfect combination for success as a band director.

TBA President Gary Robbins, the Board of Directors, and office staff are preparing for an outstanding 2009 TBA Convention/Clinic July 26-29 in San Antonio. Look through this Bandmasters Review for information concerning great clinics, concerts, and social activities planned for attendees. You may register online at www.texasbandmasters.org or mail the registration forms printed on pages 29-32 with your payment.

I would like to highlight some exciting opportunities at the convention this summer. Monday, July 27 will be TBA Student Day. You may order tickets for your high school and middle school students which will enable them to attend a leadership clinic by Frank Troyka, TMEA All State Audition Music Clinics, a concert by the United States Army Field Band, and have access to the Exhibit Hall. What a great way to kick off your summer band program! In addition to our traditional lineup of clinics offering professional growth for all band directors, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Haithcock will be TBA’s Feature Clinician this summer. Dr. Haithcock assumed his duties as Director of Bands at the University of Michigan in 2001 following twenty-three years on the faculty of Baylor University. His sessions will be a highlight of the 2009 Convention/Clinic. We will also feature the 2008 UIL AAAAA State Marching Band Champion Marcus High School Band and its staff led by director Amanda Drinkwater in marching band and percussion clinics. This will be a great learning opportunity for you to observe this fine staff presenting clinics using their own students as a demonstration group. Outstanding concerts will be performed by The United States Army Field Band, Boston Brass, and the San Antonio Wind Symphony.

TBA needs you! We extend a special invitation to ALL band directors and FUTURE band directors to attend our convention this summer. If you are a firstyear band director or college student, you should begin a lifelong tradition of attending the TBA Convention/Clinic each summer! Make your plans now to join TBA and to support the world’s largest band director organization. You will find the clinics informative and inspirational, the Exhibit Hall full of everything you need for your program, and the networking opportunities unsurpassed.

In spite of the world-wide economic crisis, I am pleased to report that TBA is currently in a healthy financial state. However, as a non-profit organization, we count on membership numbers remaining strong each year along with financial support from our exhibitors and business members. In order to continue providing a great convention each summer as well as the popular professional growth outreach programs offered during throughout the year, we need you to continue your support as members. Go online today, join TBA, and register for the convention this summer. Have a great finish to the spring semester.

See you in July!