MATT TEMPLE

Greetings one and all! I hope your summer was relaxing and restorative. Mine was filled with many family trips – a hallmark of any good summer in my book. When I first started teaching, I did not know how to respond when people would say, “It must be nice to have your summers off.” After hearing that statement for many years, I was able to hone a very succinct retort: “I work a 12-month job in the span of 9 months.” That seems to make sense to most people with little need for further explanation.

More than anything, I rely upon the summer to refill my tank so that I can provide ample inspiration as a director the following year. The best way I have found to accomplish this is to visit places that deeply inspire me. To that end, my favorite place on earth is Lake Windigoostigwan in Ontario, Canada. My maternal grandfather built a log cabin there in the 1950s – it literally took him ten years to build it. I have been going there most summers since I was less than a year old.

The cabin is definitely “off the grid.” Until the late 80s, the only way to get there was two miles over water by boat. Even to this day, we pump water up from the lake and only have limited electricity in the evenings provided by a gas generator. Bathing occurs by using a wood-burning sauna and then jumping in the lake. And no, there is no wi-fi, let alone a reliable wireless signal. I usually just shut off my phone completely for the week. Needless to say, it is not for everyone. But for me, it is heaven on earth.

Regardless of how you spent your summer, I hope your tank is full again. I applaud you for the many tireless hours you devote to your bands, and for all the energy it requires. I hope you have a great year making meaningful music with the many appreciative players in your ensembles.

Matt Temple Vice President National Band Association

Happy New Academic Year! I hope you took time for relaxation at some point over the past few months. I always find the start of the new academic year an exciting opportunity for us to help facilitate wonderful musical experiences for our academic, community, and military ensembles. There is a sense of renewal - a fresh start - and a chance to re-shape our teaching and rehearsal processes.

show support of our band colleagues is to share wonderful news about their individual accomplishments or contributions to bands. Let us know about awards bestowed upon your NBA colleagues, activities hosted by our NBA student groups, NBA Symposium opportunities, etc. by going to : nationalbandassociation.org/news. These items will be collected and posted either on the website or on the NBA Facebook page.

As we enter another school year, let’s strive to encourage our colleagues, both young and old, as everyone works to build their ensembles, programs, and the individual musicianship of their students. Encouragement is such a simple yet crucial gift, and taking time to stop by a band room, listen to a rehearsal with positive ears, and cheer on the hard work of a neighbor may make the difference in a fellow band director's Fall. One way that we can take time to acknowledge the accomplishments of our peers and

I thank YOU for your commitment to bands and band students and I look forward to hearing about the many successes of your programs over the coming months! I remain honored and humbled to serve you as immediate past-president, as we all work together to build the finest band organization in the world!

Rebecca Phillips Immediate Past President National Band Association