Second Vice President’s Message

MATT TEMPLE

As a band director, there have been countless times in my career when I have witnessed something so unexpected in rehearsal that I have thought to myself, “Did that really just happen?” One of my favorite memories was on April Fool’s Day some years ago, when identical twin boys in my top band switched instruments. They played bassoon and tuba. Needless to say, it did not take me very long to sense that something was out of place. Trying to hold a bassoon properly, much less being able to play it whatsoever, is no easy task. But immediately on the heels of me figuring it out, the entire clarinet section started playing our warm-up chorale on recorders. What a start to the rehearsal!

As this biennium comes to a close, I have that same distinct feeling now: “Did that really just happen?” In a conversation with our outgoing President, Rebecca Phillips, she referred to her tenure as the Pandemic Presidency. Indeed, it is eerie how closely this biennium coincided with the timing of the pandemic. What was truly amazing, however, was how our organization pivoted and adapted during this critical time. Even though we had to postpone some of our contests and programs, the National Band Association remained highly active and effective as an organization. One of the most significant accomplishments was our support of the aerosol research conducted by Colorado State University. As a result of this research and other aerosol studies, the NBA was able to share important safety guidelines for rehearsals and performances.

ZOOM calls became commonplace for our organization, whether it was meeting with Division Chairs, State Chairs, or the Board of Directors. Even though we couldn’t meet in person for the General Membership Meeting at the Midwest Clinic in 2020, I found it quite comforting to see so many familiar faces online. And while the number of virtual calls for most of us is now few and far between, the Executive Committee continued to meet over Zoom throughout the entire biennium. It really is remarkable how much more connected we were with one another as a result of virtual calls. The significant uptick in communication was one of the silver linings of the pandemic.

In addition to the challenges presented by the pandemic, we witnessed an increased focus on issues surrounding race, diversity, and social justice. The killing of George Floyd in May of 2020 became a tipping point for increasing awareness worldwide. The NBA responded with the creation of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness (IDEA) committee. As the only white male member of this committee, I particularly valued being able to hear the perspective of the other committee members. I found our work together to be very

What was truly amazing, however, was how our organization pivoted and adapted during this critical time.

meaningful and impactful. Our primary accomplishment was reviewing the entire Selective Music List (SML) for pieces that may have a questionable past and/or have problematic content for performers and audiences. The IDEA committee identified 29 such pieces on the SML, which are now marked with an asterisk that is connected to the following statement: “The NBA IDEA Committee advises conductors to thoroughly study the background of the piece in order to make an informed decision before programming the work.” I am confident that the IDEA committee will continue to serve our organization well into the future.

As I reflect on this biennium, I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I had as the Second VicePresident and am looking forward to what happens in the next one. It was a distinct honor to work alongside the other members of the Executive Committee: President Rebecca Phillips, First Vice-President Randall Coleman, Past-President Scott Tobias, and Executive Secretary-Treasurer Linda Moorhouse. Their unparalleled leadership, collective wisdom, and forward-thinking vision for the NBA is truly inspiring. Terri Daniels, the NBA office manager, was in many of our meetings as well and is indispensable at keeping our organization on track. Lastly, I’d like to thank the many NBA members who served our organization in a wide variety of positions. We couldn’t have done it without you! There were many times over the past two years when my job seemed like an insurmountable challenge. My involvement in the National Band Association was a meaningful counterbalance that helped ground me during the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic. The NBA has successfully navigated these troubling times and is moving into the next biennium with renewed purpose and vision. We look forward to serving you and your program in whatever ways are needed. Best wishes!

Matt Temple Second Vice-President National Band Association

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