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President Elect's Message
To my fellow member of the National Band Association: I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to write this message to each of you as the new President-Elect of this incredible and historic organization. After meeting with my colleagues on the Executive Committee earlier this summer to make plans for this biennium, I feel a bit like I’ve been shot out of a cannon! There is much to be done to ensure the continued success of this Association and its members, and to build upon the wonderful work of the leadership teams that have come before us. I feel so fortunate to have the combined expertise, dedication and experience of our present team, including President Randall Coleman, Past President Rebecca Phillips and the continued service of Executive Secretary Scott Tobias after his recently-concluded term as Past President. I want to give a special shout out to our Vice President Matt Temple, who not only helps me to keep bald band directors in style, but more importantly has already been an amazing resource for me as I become acclimated to my leadership responsibilities in the NBA. I am honored to serve alongside this exceptional team.
This organization is truly one of a kind in our profession, and its ethos aligns perfectly with my ongoing service in “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. “Band” as an institution unto itself has planted roots into our artistic communities all over this nation, and the NBA has long been charged with providing an inclusive, practical and motivating thread that binds together our professional, collegiate, school and community ensembles. At its best, like the Marine Band, the NBA is the biggest cheerleader and advocate for musicians everywhere who have invested themselves in our community, and these institutions are such valuable tools in advancing the power and influence that music possesses to bring people together to share our experiences and our passions with each other.
What I love most about the NBA is that it is an organization that empowers its members at all levels. Our strength lies in the dedication and enthusiasm of our membership, and all those who serve their fellow members; from division and state chairs, to representatives to each of our many constituents and committee members of all kinds. To everyone who has served the NBA, and to those who have chosen to serve in this particular biennium, thank you! Every member should have a voice in our organization, and we want to hear from you. This community is strongest when we each feel ownership of the work we are doing together to advance the wonderful opportunities inherent in being a part of bands. Indeed, there have been many suggestions as to how we can continue to adapt, update and advance the NBA’s ideals and goals, and many of those suggestions are currently being incorporated into our agenda for this biennium. The most important of these is inclusivity and access to music at all levels, and the Executive Committee is committed to ensuring that we deliberately create those opportunities and recognize those who have made that a priority in their own service.
COL. JASON K. FETTIG
President-Elect’s Message, Jason K. Fettig, cont.
As we all embark on our various adventures this fall, I want to leave you with a thought. Making music and teaching music is inherently difficult, let alone when our attentions are often divided in a thousand different directions. In times when I am overwhelmed, burned out, or simply exhausted and unmotivated, I always take a moment to remind myself why it is that I embarked on this career in the first place. When I remember to make my way back to the music and remember how it makes me feel to create something with others that can be truly magical, I am rejuvenated. Always remember that beyond any doubt, music matters.
I very much look forward to getting to know as many of you as I can during these next two years, and I stand ready to serve you and this wonderful organization in any way that I can.
Jason K. Fettig President-Elect National Band Association
