President’s Message

As we are now surrounded by the change of seasons for many of those in our profession, I always seem to find myself reflecting on what has transpired over the past year and what I can look forward to in the coming year. The end of the summer months and the beginning of a new school year has always brought me joy and excitement. Of course, the times during the summer months that we get a few moments to relax and unwind are priceless, but the energy and anticipation around the new school year has always been a driving force for me. I always try to embrace this change and try to make sure my exuberance was visible to everyone around me, especially my students.

This past year has been one full of professional changes for me, none of which were a part of my plan. That plan had me finishing the 2023 – 2024 school year at the University of Alabama and then, after what would be 42 years of teaching, easing into a new phase of relaxed retirement. There was certainly a shift in that plan in the spring of 2021 when I accepted the Director of Bands position at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. This was a destination that wasn’t a part of my plan, yet the past year has been one of the most rewarding times of my career. I have been welcomed into a very special family at UTC and have quickly grown to love my new hometown of Chattanooga. react to change. We are living in a time where change is all around us. Some good, some not so good. How we react to change is how we will be remembered. This is also the change of seasons for the National Band Association. The beginning of a new biennium has marked a change for our organization for more than 60 years. New people with new viewpoints will be bringing their energy to our Board of Directors. I am looking forward to working with these wonderful and passionate educators as we discuss what potential changes might be beneficial for the NBA. As our society and profession has evolved over the past 60 years, so must our organization be willing to examine all that we do to do our best to serve our members. Being open to change is essential for growth and I look forward to working with our new Board of Directors and we continue to mold our organization and continue the legacy built by those who came before us.

There are a multitude of benefits that come from being a member of the National Band Association. Our projects and programs are some of the most impactful in our profession. One such project that the NBA sponsors is the Young Composer and Conductor Mentoring Project. The 2022 YCCMP recently concluded with three young conductors and three young composers having the incredible opportunity to work with the United States Air Force Band and hone their skills with the guidance of 8 mentors. This project took place over three days in Washington DC and is an opportunity for the

RANDALL COLEMAN

participants that is like no other in our profession. Thanks to the organizers Linda Moorhouse and Mark Camphouse and to our hosts Colonel Don Schofield and the US Air Force Band. This project takes place every other year, so our next YCCMP

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Change is a critical component of a healthy life ... How we react to change is how we will be remembered.

President’s Message, Rebecca Phillips, cont.

will take place in the summer of 2024. If you are a young composer or conductor, this event needs to be on your calendar.

At the conclusion of the YCCMP, the NBA Executive Committee met for two days of planning for the new biennium. I am honored to work with the members of the Executive Committee, Jason Fettig, Matt Temple, Rebecca Phillips, and Scott Tobias, as we work to guide our organization for the next two years. Much thoughtful and energetic discussion took place as we continue to build on the accomplishments of the past and work toward the future of the NBA. Some of the initiatives that you will be hearing about include Collegiate Student Chapters, a Marching Band Committee and continued input from our IDEA Committee. One of the major talking points from our Executive Committee Retreat was a discussion about our Corporate Members. Our Corporate Members provide invaluable resources to teachers and to our profession and we are honored that these businesses have chosen to support the National Band Association and our members. As we all remain in a recovery mode from the pandemic to some degree, the Executive Committee voted to reduce the Corporate Membership fee from $500.00 to $250.00 for the current biennium. We hope that his small gesture will assist our corporate partners as they continue to build back after the pandemic closures. I encourage you all to make plans to be in Chicago for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and put our NBA meetings and events on your convention calendar. The meetings that take place during Midwest are our only opportunity to have those all-important face to face gatherings. With the calendar for this year’s conference, make note that our Board of Directors Meeting, our State and Division Chair Meeting and our General Membership Meeting and Reception will all take place on Tuesday, December 20. I hope to see you all in Chicago in a few short months for our annual pilgrimage to the Windy City for rejuvenation, celebrating and networking. Not to mention all the wonderful food that we seem to be able to find in Chicago!

As this past year has been one of significant change for me professionally, it has also provided me many moments for reflection. As I close my first Journal message to you as President of the National Band Association, I would be remiss without taking a moment to reflect on this moment of my professional life and wonder “how in the world did I ever find myself here”? Over the past four years as a member of the Executive Committee I have had the great fortune to observe several NBA Past Presidents in action. I have given my best to be a successful student as I watched these leaders work. Additionally, many of the NBA

Our profession is recovering from two of the most challenging years that we could have ever imagined. I hope that we can make the National Band Association a beacon of change as our profession evolves, building on the legacy that has been forged by so many who have guided the organization over the past 60 years.

Past Presidents have been my friends, colleagues, and mentors my entire career. It is one of the greatest honors in my career to have the opportunity to serve as the President of the NBA.

Our profession is recovering from two of the most challenging years that we could have ever imagined. I hope that we can make the National Band Association a beacon of change as our profession evolves, building on the legacy that has been forged by so many who have guided the organization over the past 60 years. I look forward to hearing from you with your ideas and suggestions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of assistance to you or your program in any way.

Randall Coleman President National Band Association