2024 NBA Journal | Volume LXIV, No. 2 | Winter 2024 by seven1five

VOLUME LXIV, NO. 2 | WINTER 2024

FEATURING

Factors Influencing Secondary Band Directors' Sense of Self-Efficacy ..., pg. 55

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL BAND ASSOCIATION

Iconic Legacy … Vision for the Future

NBA JOURNAL

VOLUME LXIV, NO. 2 | WINTER 2024

Executive Committee/Project and Committee Chairs

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MESSAGES President’s Message

President Elect's Message

Vice President’s Message

Immediate Past President’s Message

ABOUT NBA NBA Mission Statement

About the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts

NBA Past Presidents

NBA Board of Directors 2022 – 2024

NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest Winners

NBA Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors Award Winners Lend Your Voice: NBA Journal Submission Guidelines

16 17

NBA NEWS & 2023 AWARDS 2023 NBA Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors – Roy Holder & Julian E. White

2023 Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts (AWAPA) Awards, Gerald Guilbeaux & John Stoner 23 2023 NBA Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Awards, Paula Crider & Jay Gephart

Viet Coung's Deciduous Wins the NBA's 2023 William D. Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest – Matthew McCutchen 28 2023 Presidential Medal of Distinction, David Gregory

2023 Dr.William P. Foster Project Awards

2023 NBA Citations of Excellence

2023 NBA Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award

2023 NBA Executive Board Meeting Minutes

2023 NBA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

2023 NBA General Membership Meeting Minutes

2023 Community Band Report – Michael Burch-Pesses

2023 NBA Statement of Activity

2023 NBA Membership Report

PEDAGOGY Four Accessible Sousa Marches – Craig Aarhus

The One-Person Show: The Heterogeneous Beginning Band – Gary Barton

Wind Band Instrumentation and Nomenclature: What Should We be Doing? – Trevor Frost

PEER REVIEWED Factors Influencing Band Directors' Sense of Self-Efficacy: School Tasks Coupled with Student and Familial Motivation – Tiger Robinson and Joseph Carver 55 PERSPECTIVE From Those Who Have Gone Before ... to Those Who Will Follow. The Past Cannot be Changed, However, the Past can Help Us to Change for the Better – David Gregory 66 Musical Chairs for a Stronger Ensemble – James Popejoy 71 Myth Busting: What the Data Tells Us About Florida MPA Repetoire ‑ Marc Decker

Retirement Posts: Heartfelt Reflections on Transitioning to Life Beyond the Band Room – David Aydelott

LEND YOUR VOICE How to Submit Peer-Reviewed Research Articles to the NBA Journal – Matt Talbert

The National Band Association acknowledges and embraces that our organization is strengthened by diversity. We welcome all peoples, inclusive of their culture, economic status, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, and abilities. The NBA is committed to including all voices in our organization and invites everyone to join us in the advancement of our mission and educational purposes.

WINT ER2024 2024 WI NTER

COMMITTEES & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE

Educational Purposes OF THE NATIONAL BAND ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Randall Coleman, President

To promote and empower band performances throughout the world.

Jason Fettig, President-Elect Matt Temple, Vice-President

Scott Tobias, Executive Secretary-Treasurer

To encourage and promote the commissioning and performance of new wind band music.

PROJECT AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

To provide inclusive and authentic professional development opportunities and resources for everyone.

Rebecca Phillips, Immediate Past President

Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award, Rebecca Phillips Alfred Young Band Composition Contest, Audrey Murphy Kunka AWAPA Commission, David Gregory Citations & Awards, Heath Nails Constitution & By-Laws, Jason Fettig Corporate Relations, Gary Smith

To acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of bands, educators, performers, and band support organizations.

Foster Project NBA Representative, Wolson Gustama Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors Board of Electors, Thomas Fraschillo Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Awareness, Ingrid Larragoity & Elizabeth Peterson Marching Band Committee, Adam Dalton & Bobby Lambert Merrill Jones Composition Contest, Paul Popiel

To promote pride, commitment, and enthusiasm among band directors and performers.

National Programs of Excellence, Myra Rhoden NBA Foundation, Susan Creasap Nominating Committee, Rebecca Phillips Research Grants, Brian Silvey

To encourage lifelong involvement in music and to support interested students in pursuing musical careers.

Selective Music List – Concert, Arris Golden Selective Music List - Jazz, Steve Shanley Selective Music List – Marches, Col. Don Schofield William D. Revelli Composition Contest, Matthew McCutchen Young Composer Jazz Composition Contest, Richard Stichler Young Composer Mentor Project, Frank Ticheli

To promote an inclusive community among directors, performers, the music industry, and all other band support organizations.

Young Conductor Mentor Project, Linda R. Moorhouse NBA Journal Editor, Matthew D. Talbert NBA Journal Layout & Design, Nash P. McCutchen

Articles presented in the NBA Journal represent views, opinions, ideas and research by the authors and are selected for their general interest to the NBA members. Authors’ views do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Band Association, nor does their publication constitute an endorsement by the National Band Association.

NBA JOURNAL

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

elcome to

constituents, a disconnect builds

2024! I hope

very quickly. We should all strive to

that your

be the best representation of what we

new school

want others to be. Leaders are not

term is off to

always “right” … far from it. Leaders

a fantastic start and your amazing

are human and leaders will make

students are amazing you! It is so hard

mistakes. Strong leaders will admit

to believe that it is already 2024 … a

mistakes, correct mistakes, accept

year that sounded so far away a couple

responsibility and move forward.

of years ago … and now here we are.

Admitting a mistake isn’t difficult,

Here’s to keeping all those resolutions

it’s simply telling the truth. If you

in place and a smooth and productive

are a teacher, you are a leader. You

term for everyone.

are a leader in your classroom and your community. Embrace the

Over the past couple of weeks, I

opportunity and work to be the best

have been thinking quite a bit about

leader you can be as an honest and

what makes a good leader. We have

caring role model who invites others

so many wonderful experts in our

to follow, not one who demands

profession on leadership training for

others to follow.

RANDALL COLEMAN

our students. There are seminars and camps that our students can

The Midwest Clinic and the

attend to hone those skills that would

National Band Association will

help make them an excellent choice

always share a special connection.

for leading their peers in our band

The annual meetings of the National

programs. These students will,

Band Association have taken place

hopefully, carry this training into

during the Midwest Clinic for

their adult lives and the skills that are

many years. The excitement of the

learned in band leadership training.

Midwest is like no other, and this

These skills will be incredibly useful

year was no exception. At our annual

to the students in whatever their

General Membership Meeting we

chosen field, be it music education or

were able to recognize those teachers

something different. Leaders have

and programs that serve as models

a difficult job – whether they are

for others to emulate. It is always

elected or selected. As leaders of our

a highlight to be able to recognize

programs, one of the most important

these outstanding individuals and

traits to exhibit is to be able to model

incredible band programs each

behaviors they would like to see in

year in Chicago. In addition to the

those they lead. When leaders model

numerous awards, we were able

behaviors that are different from the

to announce some very exciting

behaviors they require from their

upcoming projects and programs

Leaders have a difficult job … As leaders of our programs, one of the most important traits to exhibit is to be able to model behaviors they would like to see in those they lead.

Continued on next page

WINT ER 2024

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE President’s Message, Randall Coleman, cont. for our organization and are happy to share that the NBA is at a very healthy juncture in our history with high membership numbers that continue to grow and a stable financial picture. A special thank you goes to Bob Rogers Travel and Fred J. Miller, Inc

Believe it or not, taking time to make certain YOU are healthy will make you a better teacher for your students. They deserve your best!

for providing our members with a wonderful reception following our meeting. In closing, I would like to remind you that the deadline for applying for our Young Composer and Conductors Mentor Project is fast approaching. The YCCMP is one of the NBA’s most comprehensive programs that offers wonderful opportunities for young composers and conductors to work with some of the most outstanding mentors in our profession … and

to have the opportunity to conduct

taking time to make certain YOU are

or have your work performed by

healthy will make you a better teacher

the United States Air Force Band

for your students. They deserve your

this summer in Washington D.C. I

best! I hope you will take advantage

hope you will take advantage of

of all that the NBA has to offer and if

this amazing project. You can find

there is ever anything I can do for you

the application process on the NBA

or your program, do not hesitate to

website. As we move “full force” into

reach out.

the new school term, it is easy to let our work take hold of every part of our

Randall Coleman

lives. Don’t forget to take time for you

President

and for your family. Believe it or not,

National Band Association

NBA JOURNAL

PRESIDENT-ELECT'S MESSAGE

appy New Year,

share with us for the priceless gift of

fellow NBA

mentorship.

members! It was wonderful to see so many of you at the

So, my call to all of us as we begin this new year is to reach out to our

Midwest Clinic in December. The new

own teachers, mentors, and muses.

year now brings many new adventures

Let them know how grateful you are

and opportunities. For me, I have

for what they gave to you, and what

finished my time in the Marines

many of you are now passing on to

and 2024 marks the beginning of an

your students. Let them know that

exciting second chapter in teaching

they affected not only your careers,

(hence the new photo of me here out

but the direction of your life. I

of uniform).

promise you that it will mean the world to them to know that they made

As I have gone through this

such a difference for us, and that they

significant transition, it has made

are forever invited to share in our

me more aware than ever just

happiness and success.

how profoundly my own teachers have changed my life. Each person who took the time to share their experiences and passion with me-and equally important-- their belief in me, shares a significant part of any

JASON K. FETTIG

Warmest wishes for a beautiful 2024, (Professor!) Jason K. Fettig President-Elect National Band Association

success I have had. Those who choose to dedicate their lives and talents to enhancing the lives of others are the foundation of our community, and they model the very heart of what it means to serve. That includes so many of you reading this message! When we are performing, we feel the accolades and appreciation of the audience, but when we teach, the warmth of accomplishment comes from the accomplishments of our students, and their own discovery of the joy of sharing music. And our sense of success comes especially from the appreciation they might

WINT ER 2024

... my call to all of us as we begin this new year is to reach out to our own teachers, mentors, and muses. Let them know how grateful you are for what they gave to you, and what many of you are now passing on to your students. 7

VICE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

sensed that my former students were finally ready to reconnect after the “hiatus” caused by the pandemic. As educators, we often say that we want to create life-long learners and more specifically, savvy consumers of music. I believe this is most meaningful when we instill in our students not only a love of music, but also an understanding of the relational nature of music. I witness many students listening to music on their iPods in their own little universe, disconnected from the people around them. While we all need those quiet

MATT TEMPLE

“It’s all about the relationships.” was reminded of this simple

... we want to create life-long learners and ... savvy consumers of music. ... this is most meaningful when we instill in our students ... a love of music, [and] an understanding of the relational nature of music.

moments to ourselves, I think the true power of music lies in its ability to connect people. Music is meant to be shared and can provide the impetus for life-long relationships that transcend the music itself.

truth by Linda Moorehouse, NBA Past President, during

I have been a member of the

the University of Illinois

National Band Association since my

reception at the Midwest

undergraduate training. It is the

Clinic this past December.

longest standing membership I have

I value this aspect of our profession

had in any professional organization.

more deeply each year that I teach.

As I have become more involved

At New Trier High School, we host an

through the years, I have been equal

alumni pep band annually between

parts humbled, honored, and inspired

the fall and spring semesters. The

by its many members. I am grateful

students who can participate vary

for the relationships my colleagues

from year to year based upon whether

and I have developed, and I look

we host it in mid-December before

forward to forging many more!

winter break or just afterwards in early January. Whether they can make it or not, I encourage graduates to email me and let me know how they are doing. This year was the largest response I have ever received. I 8

Sincerely, Matt Temple Vice President National Band Association

NBA JOURNAL

IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

reetings! It was

‣ Prep beat initiated with click

wonderful to see so

‣ Breathes with prep

many folks in Chicago

‣ No hesitation

in late December. Many of our colleagues

were recognized for lifetime achievements to the profession through service, composition, and teaching, and philanthropy. You can find more information about who was honored this year as you peruse this NBA Journal – winter issue. As we all continue to work on the skills of accurately, efficiently, and

‣ Downbeat straight in front of body ‣ Flexible Wrist ‣ Palm facing down ‣ Rebound proper height ‣ Eye contact maintained throughout downbeat ‣ Prep executed in appropriate tempo ‣ Dynamic level indicated ‣ Style indicated

clearly communicating musical ideas to our ensembles through our gesture, below are a few quick thoughts that may serve as a reminder to Get to the Point: Developing artistry in gesture while maintaining clarity in communication. THE BASICS: A QUICK REVIEW FOR CONDUCTORS Posture • Is body weight balanced evenly? • Is there excessive movement on the podium? • What is the view from the audience's perspective? Preparatory Beat • Is the preparatory beat indicative of the desired tempo? • Does it reflect the appropriate style of music, such as legato or marcato? • Can the preparatory beat be "read" by the entire ensemble? • Prep Beat Check List WINT ER 2024

Beat Size • Does the beat size indicate the dynamic level?

REBECCA PHILLIPS

• Is it too large or small for the group?

"mirror" the right-hand beat pattern?

• Does the height of the music stand cut off the players' view of the bottom of the beat pattern?

• Are the left arm and hand used to cue or aid in dynamic indications?

Beat Style • Does the beat pattern reflect the desired style? • Does each beat, regardless of style, have an ictus? Gestures of Syncopation • When using gestures of syncopation, either for exceptionally tricky rhythms or unison rhythms, does the tempo drag or rush? GETTING PAST THE BASICS: NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION The Left Arm and Hand • Do the left arm and hand just

• Is the left hand used when there is no musical reason for a gesture? Eye Contact • Is there consistent eye contact with the ensemble? • Is there meaningful eye contact with the ensemble? Facial Expression • Does the conductor's facial expression indicate the mood of the music? • When do we “see” the mistake?

Continued on next page

IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Immediate Past- President’s Message, Rebecca Phillips, cont. Analyzing the Score: Preparing for the first rehearsal • Is the most important line of the score being conducted or the line that needs the most help? • Is there an attempt to conduct music and not just the beats? Learning the Score/Composer • Score Orientation and Examination • Score Analysis ‣ Biographical Sketch of the Composer ‣ Compositional Style of Composer ‣ Specifics - Overview of the work ‣ Theoretical Analysis ‣ Errata List Research ‣ Interpretation of Music • Score Reading ‣ Sing or play (on piano) each individual part so that your ears are ready to rehearse JUST BECAUSE … Rehearsal Planning: • Develop a long-term rehearsal plan based on the timeline and goals for the entire preparation. (“Hour-Glass” concept) • Develop a plan for improving Fundamentals (these are somewhat sequential) ‣ Basics ‒Correct Rhythms ‒Correct Notes (this includes key changes) ‒Articulations (note beginnings) ‒Length of Notes (note 10

endings – longer or shorter) ‒Tempos & Tempo Changes (faster or slower)

• Demonstrate as opposed to talk • Quick pacing when possible

‒Dynamics (louder or softer) ‣ Advanced

Collaborating with musicians in

‒Historical Setting/Storyline/ Picture

a rehearsal setting to prepare for

‒Form (how does this affect the performance)

enjoyable parts of our musical life. I

‒Phrasing (horizontal)

best as you continue your preparation

‒Intonation (both horizontal and vertical) ‒Timbre (both horizontal and vertical) ‒Balance (vertical)

a performance is one of the most wish you and your ensembles the very for performances this spring. Rebecca Phillips Immediate Past President National Band Association

‒Blend (vertical) • Predict problem areas ‣ Problem areas for individuals ‣ Problem areas for ensemble • Develop a plan of attack (Daily • Lesson Plans – another “hour glass” concept.) ‣ Identify What to Teach (Objective) ‒Are you focusing on a specific fundamental in multiple sections? ‒Are you focusing on multiple fundamentals in a specific section? ‣ Identify desired results ‒What do you expect to hear when it is perfect? ‣ Sequence of activities ‒Start with full group ‒Work on individual/section issues ‒Finish with full group Things to remember

Collaborating with musicians in a rehearsal setting to prepare for a performance is one of the most enjoyable parts of our musical life.

• Get them ‘doing’ as soon as possible NBA JOURNAL

NBA MISSION STATEMENT FOR DIRECTORS OF SCHOOL BANDS BY DR. WILLIAM MOODY | REVISED IN DECEMBER 2009 The mission for directors of school bands is understood inherently by those who think of themselves more often as instrumental music teachers rather than simply as band directors. The basic objective of instrumental music education is that students will learn performance skills in order to understand musical language and to experience the joys of recreating music in the expressive medium of their choice. Music education should prepare students also for a fuller understanding and appreciation of the music they will be hearing the rest of their lives regardless of its style or venue. Efforts to address the National Standards for Music Education in band class by including music theory, music history, improvisation, and composition will help the students be better listeners in adulthood and will make better musicians of those who wish to pursue musical careers or practice music as an avocation in adult life. The National Band Association would like school administrators, teachers, and parents to recognize that students elect to study instrumental music for a variety of reasons, including: as an outlet for creativity, a source of social interaction with like-minded peers, a possible career choice, gratification that comes from recognition by responsive audiences, discipline through study and practice, and service to school and community. The evaluation of instrumental music programs should be grounded in a review of the educationally and aesthetically justifiable objectives that are explicit in this mission statement. The long-respected model for learning to play a musical instrument based on the role of artist-teacher with a studio of private students applies as well to school bands. Band class must provide these same foundations: a correct concept of characteristic tone quality, development of technique based on a graded course of study, a formal system for counting rhythms, practice in developing good intonation, and the sure goal of playing expressively. An instrumental music program should offer a broad range of musical experiences: an extensive solo and chamber music repertory that provides subtle opportunities for nuance and other systems of expression; a school jazz ensemble that stresses rhythmic precision, understanding of harmonic progression, and creative improvisation; a concert band, the core of the program, where our musical heritage is transmitted through inspirational compositions by the most creative composers. Service activities such as marching band are often important to the school and community, and students who participate gain social, educational, and musical values. Because evaluative competition can raise standards and motivate progress, NBA strongly recommends that all bands participate in festivals or contests sponsored by district and state music education associations, especially when a rating rather than a ranking is the goal. However, the integrity of the instructional program can be threatened by a disproportionate emphasis on competitions and service-related performances. Marching band activities that require extra rehearsals and travel time should be scheduled with concern for the many responsibilities that students have in addition to their musical studies, and must never be the focus of the instrumental music program. Excessive demands on students, parents, and community––financial and otherwise––bring about consequences harmful to the essence of the instrumental music program. History demonstrates that those who cultivate a special intelligence in an area of personal interest make great contributions to the way we live. Efforts by legislators or educators to emphasize one area of study alone stifle the pluralism that has been one of this country's strengths. Rather, schools should provide a broad base of knowledge for students and also encourage development of the special abilities of those who demonstrate the capacity to excel. Instrumental music studies provide a laboratory of artistic and social opportunities for individual development that contributes to the collective good. The arts provide unique forms of knowledge, present a basic means of communication, and produce lasting works that are the hallmarks of a civilization. President Abraham Lincoln reminded us that education is not for the purpose of learning to earn a living, but for learning what to do with a living after it has been earned. Whether in the arts or other areas of interest, students who are encouraged to develop their talents and interests participate in the continuous regeneration of our democratic ideals.

WINT ER 2024

A B O U T AWA PA

NBA’S ACADEMY OF WIND AND PERCUSSION ARTS NBA AT ITS BEST

he National Band Association was founded on September 11, 1960. This new organization was the dream and brain child of Traugott Rohner, the editor and founder of The Instrumentalist magazine. Rohner set up a meeting with two of the most capable leaders among America’s band directors, Dr. Al G. Wright, who was at that time Director of Bands at Purdue University, and John Paynter, Director of Bands at Northwestern University, and these two very able leaders established a new, inclusive band organization which grew into the largest band organization in the world.

Al Wright was the NBA’s first president, and he soon became aware of a need to establish a special, high level award program to recognize excellence and exceptional service to bands. The result of this was the establishment of The Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts (AWAPA). This award was established for the purpose of recognizing those individuals who have made truly significant and outstanding contributions to furthering the excellence of bands and of band music, and it was not to be limited to band directors, but to anyone who’s contributions were determined to be so outstanding that they deserved and warranted honor and recognition. The nine-inch silver AWAPA figure is designed to be the “Oscar” of the band world. Elections to the academy are made from time to time by the Board of Directors acting upon nominations from the AWAPA Commission. Presentations of AWAPA awards are made at band performances or meetings of national significance. The new recipients of the award are announced at the annual National Band Association Membership Meeting at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago each December, and the honorees from the previous year are invited to attend that meeting for a formal presentation of the award. If the recipient is not able to be present at that meeting, the award is presented at another prestigious band event where the recipient is properly honored and recognized. The award consists of a silver statuette, a silver medallion, and an engraved certificate. The Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts represents the highest honor which the National Band Association can confer on any individual. The NBA represents the best there is in a great, proud profession. When we honor our very best, we bring honor on our organization and on our profession. A list of the past recipients of the AWAPA Award is literally a “Who’s Who” list of some of the greatest leaders involved in the band movement during the past six decades. The list includes an international cross section of important individuals representing all aspects of the band world, who have rendered remarkable service to bands.

AWAPA RECIPIENTS LISTED BY DATE AND YEAR OF PRESENTATION William D. Revelli November 25, 1961

Sir Vivian Dunn March 2, 1973

Nilo Hovey December 16, 1980

Merle Evans December 20, 1986

Kenneth Bloomquist December 18, 1996

James T. Rohner December 15, 2005

Thomas V. Fraschillo December 21, 2017

Karl L. King November 10, 1962

Jan Molenaar July 11, 1974

Trevor Ford December 16, 1981

Hugh E. McMillen December 17, 1986

H. Robert Reynolds December 18, 1996

Frank Battisti December 21, 2006

John Whitwell December 20, 2018

Harold D. Bachman January 9, 1965

Frederick Fennell August 3, 1975

Vincent Persichetti December 16, 1981

Claude T. Smith December 16, 1987

Elizabeth Ludwig Fennell December 17, 1997

David Whitwell December 20, 2007

Richard Crain December 19, 2019

Glenn Cliffe Bainum February 21, 1965

Harry Mortimer August 3, 1975

Clare Grundman December 15, 1982

Warren Benson December 14, 1988

Arthur Gurwitz December 17, 1997

Frank B. Wickes December 18, 2008

Loras John Schissel December 15, 2020

Al G. Wright March 7, 1969

George S. Howard December 16, 1976

Morton Gould December 15, 1982

John Bourgeois December 14, 1988

Russell Hammond December 14, 1999

Ray Cramer December 17, 2009

Bruce Leek December 16, 2021

Harry Guggenheim August 18, 1969

Mark Hindsley March 2, 1978

Karel Husa December 15, 1982

Donald Hunsberger December 19, 1990

William F. Ludwig December 14, 1999

James Croft April 16, 2011

Julie Giroux December 20, 2022

Paul V. Yoder December 18, 1969

Howard Hanson December 13, 1978

Harry Begian December 14, 1983

Edgar Gangware December 19, 1991

John M. Long December 20, 2001

Paula Crider December 15, 2011

Frank Ticheli December 20, 2022

Toshio Akiyama December 13, 1970

James Neilson December 13, 1978

Francis McBeth December 12, 1984

W J Julian December 16, 1992

Raoul Camus December 19, 2002

Mark Kelly December 15, 2011

Gerald Guilbeaux December 21, 2023

Richard Franko Goldman July 23, 1971

Vaclav Nelhybel December 13, 1978

Normal Dello Joio December 12, 1984

Geoffrey Brand December 20, 1995

Paul Bierley June 14, 2003

Bobby Adams December 19, 2013

John Stoner December 21, 2023

John Paynter March 5, 1972

Leonard Falcone December 12, 1979

J. Clifton Williams December 18, 1984

Harvey Phillips December 21, 1995

William J. Moody December 18, 2003

Richard Floyd December 18, 2014

Roger A. Nixon July 12, 1972

Alfred Reed December 12, 1979

Frank W. Erickson December 17, 1986

Richard Strange December 20, 1995

Earl Dunn December 16, 2004

Edward Lisk December 17, 2015

Traugott Rohner February 11, 1973

Arnald Gabriel December 16, 1980

Neil A. Kjos December 17, 1986

L. Howard Nicar, Jr. October 16, 1996

Victor Zajec December 16, 2004

Linda R. Moorhouse December 15, 2016

NBA JOURNAL

N B A PA S T P R E S I D E N T S

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE NATIONAL BAND ASSOCIATION

WINT ER 2024

Al G. Wright 1960 - 1962 Honorary Life President

John Paynter 1962 - 1966 Honorary Life President

Edward W. Volz 1966 - 1968

William J. Moody 1968 - 1970

George S. Howard 1970 - 1974

F. Earl Dunn 1974 - 1976

William D. Revelli 1976 - 1978

W J Julian 1978 - 1980

Kenneth Bloomquist 1980 - 1982

James Neilson 1982 - 1984

James K. Copenhaver 1984 - 1986

James Croft 1986 - 1988

Frank B. Wickes 1988 - 1990

Edward S. Lisk 1990 - 1992

Robert E. Foster 1992 - 1994

John R. Bourgeois 1994 - 1996

James Keene 1996 - 1998

Thomas Fraschillo 1998 - 2000

Paula Crider 2000 - 2002

David Gregory 2002- 2004

Linda Moorhouse 2004- 2006

Bobby Adams 2006- 2008

Finley Hamilton 2008- 2009

John Culvahouse 2009- 2012

John M. Long 2010 Honorary President

Roy Holder 2012 - 2014

Richard Good 2014 - 2016

Scott Casagrande 2016 - 2018

Scott Tobias 2018 - 2020

Rebecca Phillips 2020 - 2022

NBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2022— 2024

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT Randall Coleman

Director of Bands and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee

PRESIDENT-ELECT Jason K. Fettig Director of Bands, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI

IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT Rebecca Phillips

VICE-PRESIDENT Matt Temple Director of Bands New Trier High School Winnetka, Illinois

Director of Bands Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado

APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES

MILITARY/PROF. BANDS LT. COL. DANIEL TOVEN

Commander & Conductor, West Point Band, West Point, NY

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER Scott Tobias Director of Bands West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia

ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES

COMMUNITY BANDS MICHAEL BURCH-PESSES

MUSIC INDUSTRY MIKE MILLER

CHIP DE STEFANO

Fred J. Miller Inc. Miamisburg, OH

Director of Bands Pacific University Forest Grove, Oregon

TIFFANY HITZ

Director of Bands McCracken Middle School Skokie, Illinois

Director of Middle School Bands Robinson Secondary School Fairfax County, Virginia

TRACY LESLIE

SUSAN WATERS

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES Director of Bands Del Webb Middle School Las Vegas, Nevada

CRAIG AARHUS

Associate Director of Bands Mississippi State University Starkville, Mississippi

Lowell E. Graham, Col, USAF (ret) Retired, United States Air Force Band Washington, D.C.

MARK HEIDEL Director of Bands University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa

DIANE KOUTSULIS Retired Music Educator Las Vegas, Nevada

COL. DON SCHOFIELD

Director of Bands West Chester University West Chester, Pennsylvania

HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES

Commander and Conductor United States Air Force Band Washington, D.C.

DIVISION CHAIRS

EASTERN ANDREW YOZVIAK

JERELL HORTON

BRIAN COVEY

SOUTHERN COREY SPURLIN

Associate Director of Bands Auburn University Auburn, Alabama

Director of Bands W.H. Oliver Middle School Nashville, Tennessee

Director of Bands Lockport Township High School Lockport, Illinois

Director of Bands Vestavia Hills Vestavia Hills, Alabama

CHAD KAMEI

BOBBY LAMBERT

NORTH CENTRAL THAD DRISCOLL

Director of Bands Cedar Rapids Jefferson High Cedar Rapids, Iowa

INTERNATIONAL MIGUEL ETCHEGONCELAY

Director of Bands Pearl City High School Honolulu, Hawaii

Director of Bands Wando High School Mount Pleasant, SC

France

SOUTHWESTERN DUSTIN SEIFERT Director of Bands Eastern New Mexico University Portales, New Mexico

WESTERN/ NORTHWESTERN NATE SEAMONS

Associate Director of Bands, Brigham Young University Provo, Utah

WESTERN/ NORTHWESTERN DAHN PHAM

Director of Bands Washington State University Pullman, Washington

COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE ARRIS GOLDEN

Associate Director of Bands Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS

NBA/WILLIAM D. REVELLI MEMORIAL BAND C OMPOSITION C ONTEST 1977

Jerome Sorczek – Variations for Band

1978

No Award Given

1979

Harry Bulow – Textures

1980

Byron Tatte – Between Worlds

1981

David Gillingham – Concerto for Bass Trombone and Band

1982

No Award Given

1983

Gregory Youtz – Scherzo for a Bitter Moon

1984

Arthur Gottschalk – Concerto for Wind and Percussion Orchestra

1985

Michael Colgrass – Winds of Nagual

1986

No Award Given

1987

2000

David Kechley – Restless Birds Before the Dark Moon

2001

Joseph Spaniola – Escapade

2002

Dean Roush – Illuminations

2003 (tie) David Dzubay – Ra! Sam Hazo – Perthshire Majesty 2004

Joseph Turrin – Illuminations for Solo Trombone and Wind Symphony

2005

Philip Sparke – Music of the Spheres

2006

Frank Ticheli – Symphony No. 2

2007

Steven Bryant – Radiant Joy

2008

Steven Bryant – Suite Dreams

Anthony Iannaccone – Apparitions for Symphonic Band

2009

John Mackey – Aurora Awakes

2010

Steven Bryant – Ecstatic Waters

1988

Martin Mailman – For Precious Friends Hid in Death’s Dateless Nights

2011 (tie) Scott Lindroth – Passage Kevin Walczyk – Epitaphs Unwritten

1989

Gordon Ring – Concerto for Piano, Winds and Percussion

2012

Michael Schelle – The End of the World

1990

Paul Epstein – The Adventures of Matinee Concerto, as Broadcast Live from the Late 20th Century, with Notes

2013

Oliver Waespi – Audivi Media Nocte

2014

Wayne Oquin – Affirmation

1991

Mark Camphouse – To Build a Fire

1992

Ron Nelson – Passacaglia (Homage on B-A-C-H)

1993

James Syler – The Hound of Heaven

1994

Jeffrey Hass – Lost in the Funhouse

1995

Donald Grantham – Bum’s Rush

1996

Walter Mays – Dreamcatcher

1997

Warren Benson – The Drums of Summer

1998

Donald Grantham – Fantasy Variations

1999

Donald Grantham – Southern Harmony

WINT ER 2024

2015 (tie) Paul Dooley – Masks and Machines John Mackey – Wine-Dark Sea 2016

Philip Sparke – A Colour Symphony

2017

James Stephenson – Symphony No. 2, “Voices”

2018

Wayne Oquin – Song for Silent Voices

2019

Omar Thomas – Come Sunday

2020

Brian Balmages – Love and Light

2021

Frank Ticheli – Lux Perpetua

2022

James David – Flying Jewels

2023

Viet Coung – Deciduous

NBA NEWS

NBA HALL OF FAME OF DISTIN GUISHED C ONDUCTORS — INSTALL ATION DATES Col. Harold Bachman

Dr. D. O. Wiley

Dr. William J. Moody

Mr. Glenn C. Bainum Cmdr.

Mr. Raymond Dvorak

Mr. Frank B. Wickes

Charles Brendler

Mr. Nilo Hovey

Dr. Bobby Adams

Capt. Howard Bronson

Dr. Al G. Wright

Dr. Paula Crider

Mr. Herbert L. Clarke

Dr. Frederick C. Ebbs

Dr. Thomas V. Fraschillo

Mr. Patrick Conway

Dr. Frederick Fennell

Mr. John Paynter

Dr. Henry Fillmore

Dr. Robert Hawkins

Mr. Robert D. Jorgensen

Mr. Patrick Gilmore

Lt. Col. William F. Santelmann

Dr. Richard E. Strange

Mr. Edwin F. Goldman Dr. Austin A. Harding Mr. Karl L. King Col. Sam Loboda Mr. A. R. McAllister Mr. Arthur Pryor Capt. William H. Santelmann Dr. Frank Simon Mr. John Philip Sousa Mr. Dale C. Harris Dr. James Neilson Dr. William D. Revelli Col. George S. Howard Dr. Merle Evans Dr. Mark Hindsley Mr. Charleton Stewart Mr. Ernest Williams Dr. Leonard Falcone 16

Dr. Paul Yoder Col. Arnald Gabriel Dr. Harry Begian Dr. W J Julian Dr. Frank (Francesco) Nicolo Mancini Dr. John M. Long Mr. William P. Foster

Dr. David Gregory Mr. Michael Nakasone Lowell E. Graham, Col, USAF (ret) Mr. Joseph Hermann Mr. Don Wilcox Mr. Dennis Zeisler (posthumously) Dr. Julian White Mr. Roy Holder

Mrs. Gladys Stone Wright Col. John Bourgeois Mr. Kenneth Bloomquist Dr. James Croft Col. Hal Gibson Mr. Robert E. Foster Mr. Edward S. Lisk Dr. Donald E. McGinnis Mr. Ray E. Cramer NBA JOURNAL

DO YOU HAVE • research relevant to the f ield that you would like to share? • professional advice or tips that might help other band directors? • something to say? The National Band Association welcomes and encourages members to submit ar ticles for possible inclusion* in future editions of the NBA Journal. Peer-reviewed** and non-peer reviewed ar ticles are accepted. The NBA Journal is published quar terly and deadlines/instructions for submission are as follows:

JOURNAL EDITION

DEADLINE

SUBMISSION

Winter Edition (published in February)

January 1

Submit your article in Word

Spring Edition (published in May)

April 1

document format to NBA Journal

Summer Edition (published in August)

July 1

Editor Matthew Talbert:

Fall Edition (published in November)

October 1

talbertm@ohio.edu.

*Articles are published at the discretion of the editor and may appear in a later journal edition or not at all. **For guidance on how to submit a peer-reviewed article, please see page 85.

WINT ER 2024

NBA NEWS

2023 NBA HALL OF FAME OF DISTINGUISHED CONDUCTORS

ROY C. HOLDER

he NBA is very excited to announce one of its new inductees to their Hall of Fame of Distinguished

Band Conductors, Mr. Roy C. Holder. His name alone invokes thoughts of amazing performances, outstanding ensembles, a relentless attention to detail, terrific pedagogy, an unmatched work ethic, and a commitment to elevating students and teachers into better musicians. Roy began teaching in Alcoa High School, his alma mater after graduating from the University of Tennessee. He taught in Knoxville, TN for almost 15 years building programs at Alcoa, Doyle, and Powell High Schools. He moved to Fairfax County, VA in 1985 to open a new school, West Potomac High School. In 1987, he moved to Lake Braddock Secondary School and continued there until 2011. Roy Holder’s ensembles have always demonstrated the highestlevel of musicianship. His attention to detail is like no other. Every note is conceptualized, and every phrase has direction. His tempos excite and lyricism emotes. His ensembles highlight his innate musicality. He selects the highest quality literature

for his students and brings passion

multiple times on the national and

and expression to each performance.

international stage demonstrating his

Roy Holder’s ensembles and historic performances set him in a class by himself amongst secondary band directors. He can easily be named as one of the finest band conductors in the nation. His ensembles have performed

ability transform high school students into professional musicians. His ensembles performed at the Midwest Clinic on three separate occasions, the American Bandmasters’ Association Conference, the Bands of America National Concert Festival, the Virginia Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA Hall of Fame ..., Mr. Roy C. Holder, cont. Music Educators’ Conference 4 times,

Roy Holder is committed to

This service style leadership has

and the US-China Friendship Concert

furthering the development of

produced a strong and loyal bond

Tour in Beijing, China.

new literature for bands. He

with former students and colleagues

commissioned and hosted numerous

alike. They are now scattered across

composers while director of the

the country building programs of

Lake Braddock Secondary School

their own with his fingerprints all

Symphonic Band. He continues to

over them. Much like an iconic coach

be part of consortia and premieres

or collegiate band director, Roy has

through alumni associations,

created a lineage of outstanding

community ensembles, and school

directors. All of whom would attribute

bands.

any success they have to their time

Beyond his outstanding ensembles, Roy Holder’s fingerprints touch all aspects of band. Roy has held leadership positions in all the national associations, helping shape the world of band and music education. He is a Past-President of the NBA, Executive Board Member of the Sousa Foundation, the Chairman of the

However, what Roy and June

and influence from Roy and June.

Sousa Flag of Honor, is Vice President

Holder probably enjoys most, is

of the American Bandmasters

visiting band rooms across the

performances, and opportunities, Roy

Association, and currently chairs the

country working with students and

Holder is best known for being an

“School Bands Committee” for the

their directors. This includes weekly

outstanding human being. Amiable,

ABA.

visits with bands and their director to

witty, wry, kind, and caring. Always

help mentor the program, day visits to

putting himself before others and

lend support before concerts, special

his students first. He is always the

clinic weekends to help ensembles

first to respond when help is needed,

prepare for special performances,

whether band related or not. Roy and

and presentations of the Sudler Flag

June will arrive and provide all they

on behalf of the Sousa Foundation

have to give.

Roy has already been recognized as one of our profession’s icons. He and his wife, June, were recently highlighted as Midwest Legends at the 2021 Midwest Clinic. He is a Hall of Fame inducted member of both the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Directors Association and the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association. He is also a Virginia Honor Band and a Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame Member. Roy Holder is also a popular clinician and adjudicator. He has conducted honor ensembles across the country at both the district and state level. He is an active adjudicator for middle and high school bands as well as marching bands. Additionally, he has presented numerous clinics at state conferences as well as multiple presentations at the Midwest Clinic. WINT ER 2024

to selected ensembles. They are wonderful mentors to each student and director as they prepare their music; inspiring them to be their best self! One of Roy Holder’s most

Above all the accolades,

We are honored to celebrate Roy’s career and life in music with this distinction of the National Band Association’s Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors. Roy provides a great example of all

endearing qualities as a distinguished

the NBA stands for and for what we

conductor is his duel gift of being

as conductors can all strive toward.

both a great leader and musician.

His passion for music, love for

Roy creates a culture everywhere he

students, and contributions to the

goes. One steeped in fundamentals,

profession exemplify his merit for the

work ethic, attention to detail, and

honor of standing beside the other

outstanding musicianship. He pushes

distinguished band conductors in the

ensembles to be better. He demands

NBA Hall of Fame.

the best out of each individual, creating a collaborative environment

Congratulations, Roy, and thank you

focused on the ensemble’s success.

for all you've done and do for music! 19

NBA NEWS

2023 NBA HALL OF FAME OF DISTINGUISHED CONDUCTORS

JULIAN E. WHITE

By Dr. Shelby Chipman ulian E. White, Ph.D., a distinguished professor of music, is the retired director of bands and chairman of the

Florida A&M University Department of Music. Personally, Dr. White has been a father, mentor, professor and extraordinary music educator to me as well as thousands of students, music educators, communities, and the world of music education. He continues to establish himself as a humanitarian, teaching sixty years. Dr. White received the sixty year service award from the Florida Music Education Association, during our 2023 Professional Development Conference. I certainly would not be the person I am today without his tremendous guidance over my thirty-five years in music education. Without question, Dr. White is one of the most outstanding motivators I have every known. The work ethics he embodied in his students and those in his midst is profound and electrifying. I’ve observed him transform average band and/or music programs into some of the finest programs in the country, by implementing strategies 20

and comprehensive students that

philosophy that he encouraged be to

develop no last chair players. He is an

become as his former student. For

accomplished flute and saxophone

instance, graduating from the music

musician. Additionally, he has

education programs of Florida A&M

provided leadership on all levels to

University, the University of Illinois,

those who desired to become excellent

and the Florida State University, as

in the field of music.

he did. He taught ten years as a high school band director in the Duval

My accomplishments as a music

(Jacksonville, FL) school system and

educator are directly related to the Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA ... Distinguished Conductors ..., Julian E. White, cont. I taught ten years as a high school

Bandmasters Association. His band

and Heritage Music Festivals. Most

band director in the Dade-County

students also participated in solo and

recently, he served as director of

(Miami, FL) school system. He was a

ensemble assessments and were the

the Band of the Big Bend which was

goal-oriented person for his students

recipients of more than two hundred

sponsored by the FedEx Orange Bowl

bands were recipients of consistent

Bowl Games of America and is on the

Committee, the Martin Luther King,

superior ratings in marching and

adjudication staff for Music Festivals

Jr. Leadership Award, the Lifetime

concert assessments of the Florida

USA, International Music Festivals

Achievement Award from the Kappa

University and beyond. A native of Jacksonville, Florida,

WINT ER 2024

Continued on next page

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA Hall of Fame ..., Julian E. White, cont. Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega

Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary

December 2023. He is married to the

National Service Fraternity, Inc.,

Band Fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa

former Dennine Mathis who is a flute

and the Richard Allen Educational

Education Society, Pi Kappa Lambda

professor at Florida A&M University.

Achievement Award, presented by the

Music Society, Pi Phi Boule (Sire

They have one son, Julian Earl White,

AME Church. He was a recipient of

Archon), board member of the John

II. He has two daughters, Tonja

the Florida A&M University National

Philip Sousa Sudler Award Committee,

Mathews and Phaedra White, and two

Alumni Association Distinguished

Alpha Phi Omega National Service

grandchildren, John Julian Burt and

Alumni Award. He was also honored

Fraternity, and Kappa Alpha Psi Social

Mallory Mathews.

to receive the Kappa Kappa Psi

Fraternity. He is also a member of

National Honorary Band Fraternity

Free and Accepted Masons, Mt. Olive

Finally, thank you Dr. Julian E.

National Service Award, the highest

Lodge No. 5, Prince Hall Affiliated,

White for giving me support, passion,

award bestowed upon a member of

the Tallahassee Rotary Club, and the

love, and persistent as a student, and

the fraternity of which John Philip

vestry of St. Michael and All Angels

band director who wants the best

Sousa was the first recipient. He

Episcopal Church.

for his students as you continue to

has served as Florida Bandmasters

express serve as the master music

Association District IV secretary

Dr. White maintains an active

and chairman. He was also the state

schedule as an adjudicator and

advisor for the Florida National

clinician. He has also served as

Association for Music Education

guest conductor at the Mid-West

Collegiate and chairman of the

International Band and Orchestra

Florida Music Education Association

Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. He is very

Black Caucus for five terms serving

active as a conductor and clinician

a total of seven terms as a member

for middle and high school bands,

of the FMEA Executive Board. His

summer band camps, and district,

professional memberships include the

state, national and international

American Bandmasters Association,

music conferences and workshops.

National Band Association, National

Most recently he was honored by

Association for Music Education,

the National Band Association as

Florida Music Educators Association

a Hall of Fame recipient during

Florida Bandmasters Association,

the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL,

teacher and leader.

I Can do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me – Philippians, 4:13

FREE NBA AWARDS FOR MEMBERS TO USE Mentor Award

Outstanding Musician Award

Citation of Excellence

Outstanding Jazz Musician Award

Outstanding Jazz Educator

Music Camper Award

Citation of Merit for Marching Excellence

Band Booster Award

For more information visit: nationalbandassociation.org/awards-recognition 22

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS

2023 ACADEMY OF WIND AND PERCUSSION ARTS (AWAPA) AWARDS

GERALD GUILBEAUX & JOHN STONER

t the Midwest Clinic, the National Band Association announced two recipients of the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts (AWAPA) award. This award was established for the purpose of recognizing those individuals who have made truly significant and outstanding contributions to furthering the excellence of bands and of band music, and it was not to be limited to band directors, but to anyone whose contributions were determined to be so outstanding that they deserved and warranted honor and

recognition. The two recipients this year, Gerald Guilbeaux and John Stoner, personify this award and we are honored to recognize them for their achievements. seven years and then moved into the

years, as well as being the organizer/

insurance industry, but he knew that

coordinator of the ACB national

he wanted to keep music in his life.

convention band.

In an effort to bring people together who had a passion for music,

GERALD GUILBEAUX

Mr. Guilbeaux worked with other

The American Prize in Conducting for

community members to establish

the community band/wind ensemble

the Lafayette Concert Band in 1982,

division in 2021. Our recipient

becoming its music director in 1993.

continues to model his philosophy

Additionally, he is the founding

through service and leadership saying:

conductor of the Acadian Wind

“Over the years, we’ve developed the

Symphony.

idea that music is for life.”

Mr. Guilbeaux has served our

Gerald, like many of us, started

NBA for many years as organizer/

music at an early age. As his love for

administrator of the NBA National

band and the artform developed,

Community Band, past president

he decided to major in music. He

of the American Concert Band

interrupted his studies to serve our

Association and member for over

nation with honor by joining the

three decades, VP/Treasure for the

United States Army, but eventually

JPSF and administrator for the John

returned to continue studying

Philip Sousa National Community

music. After graduating in 1972, Mr.

Band, conductor of the Lafayette

Guilbeaux began working as a high

Concert Band (an adult concert

school band director. He taught for

band in Lafayette, LA) for thirty

WINT ER 2024

Additionally, he was the winner of

Congratulations, Gerald Guilbeaux! Continued on next page

NBA NEWS 2023 AWAPA Awards ..., Gerald Guilbeaux & John Stoner, cont. came into being; the Conn-Selmer

Conn-Selmer through those leaders

Instrument Inventory System and

who share that vision.

partner program was implemented; Educational Support Managers were

Thank you for your work in

added to assist schools by utilizing

providing sustained contributions

the resources of Conn Selmer; and

to bands and band music. You have

extensive work is being done through

provided significant and sustained

the HBCU Collective to ensure

contributions to bands and band

involvement at Historically Black

music.

College and Universities. Congratulations, John Stoner. Conn-Selmer has invested multimillions of dollars in school and JOHN STONER In the early 2000’s, H.G. Conn

university band programs over the past 20 years. Over 3000 directors

and The Selmer company merged,

have attended the VIP program, over

bringing into being what is now a

6000 have attended the Conn-Selmer

household word in the band world:

Institute, and the Conn-Selmer

Conn-Selmer. This merger brought

Educational Support Managers work

under one operational umbrella

with thousands of programs and

such companies as Armstrong, Bach,

students across the country.

Conn, Holton, King, Leblacn, Ludwig, Musser, Selmer, and others.

This vision for Conn-Selmer came primarily from one person, John

Immediately following the merger

Stoner. And even though Mr. Stoner

Conn-Selmer set about expanding

will attempt to direct the attention and

services and offerings to bands and

give credit to others, he was, and still

band directors. The Conn-Selmer

is to a large extent today years after

Institute (originally Conn-Selmer

his retirement, the embodiment of the

University) was launched soon after

spirit of Conn-Selmer: Making bands

the merger and immediately focused

better. Mr. Stoner remains content to

on "How can we help make bands

stand in the background and let others

better?" Young teachers, college

take credit for the massive impact of

music majors, even veteran teachers

Conn-Selmer.

attended this summer seminar...and all left with "batteries re-charged and spirits energized."

Mr. Stoner was President and CEO of Conn-Selmer and his guiding premise during those years was, "If

The Conn-Selmer Division of

it will help make bands better, make

Education was created in 2013;

it happen." Mr. Stoner’s vision for

the VIP Program was initiated; the

helping bands continues today in

Conn Selmer Clinician Program 24

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS

2023 NBA AL & GLADYS WRIGHT DISTINGUISHED LEGACY AWARD

PAUL A CRIDER & JAY GEPHART

he National Band Association has awarded Paula Crider and Jay Gephart, two Outstanding Representatives of the Band World, with the 2023 NBA Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award. The award was established in 2020 and is awarded to no more than two recipients in any year, and

recognizes achievement in leadership and teaching, mentorship, and service to the band profession. south. In her thirty three years of

Band Association, as well as the first

professional teaching, she taught

female President of the American

at every level of public school. She

Bandmasters Association. She is also a

went on to become the first woman

member of The Midwest Clinic Board

to hold the Director of Bands position

of Directors.

at a Texas 5A high school, one of her

PAULA CRIDER There are few people that are as deserving for this honor as one of this year’s recipients, Paula Crider. Certainly, we all know how much this acclaimed conductor/teacher/clinician means to our field, but I think it’s important to re-visit some of her amazing accomplishments. Paula Crider was born in Mississippi, and became an accomplished bassoonist as a young woman. She went to school at the University of Southern Mississippi, and began teaching in the rural WINT ER 2024

many “firsts”. After working in the

This award is one of the myriad

public schools, Paula Crider went on

number of recognitions that she has

to become a fully tenured professor

received, including AWAPA (Academy

at the University of Texas, working

of Wind and Percussion Arts (2011),

with graduate conducting students,

awards from Phi Beta Mu, Tau Beta

teaching the Symphonic Band, and

Sigma/Kappa Kappa Psi, Women Band

leading the Texas Longhorn Band.

Directors, Texas Bandmasters, and the

During this time, she was twice

Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor.

awarded for distinguished teaching by the University. After 17 years,

Paula Crider is passionate in

she retired from this post and was

her belief that mentorship is key to

awarded the title of Professor Emerita

helping programs grow, and she takes

at the University of Texas.

that role seriously, helping many young directors in challenging times.

Normally, the story ends there, but

She also continues to contribute

not so for Paula Crider. In the years

to professional journals, authors

since her retirement, she has worked

chapters in books, and is the author

tirelessly to help programs throughout

of “Beyond The Notes–Thoughts

the United States, Europe, Asia, and

on Meaningful Music Making”. She

Australia. She serves in several roles

continues to be a guest conductor/

in almost all of the professional band

lecturer/clinician/adjudicator and has

organizations. Paula Crider was the

impacted thousands of students and

first female President of the National

teachers. Continued on next page

NBA NEWS 2023 Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award ..., Paula Crider & Jay Gephart, cont. Throughout all of this, Paula Crider,

fund-raising effort that resulted in the

Bandmasters Association.

has been an icon and role model for

building of Pao Hall, a $47 million,

women, starting out at a time when

176,000 square-foot facility that houses

In his career, Jay has received

women were rarely found on the

classrooms, practice rooms, theaters,

many awards and honors including

podium, until the present, where she

galleries, labs, workshops, a recording

the Indiana Outstanding Bandmaster

is one of the giants of our field. She

studio, LAMP, and faculty offices.

Award, the Purdue University New

continues to reach out to women—

His ensembles have performed in

Professional Award, and the 2018

always taking the time to write that

Carnegie Hall, in many states, as well

James Calvert Outstanding Music

amazing little note that would change

as in several foreign countries. He has

Educator Award. Most recently he has

your day and help you survive a bit

served as a guest conductor, clinician,

served on the faculty of the American

longer. It was an honor to help present

lecturer and adjudicator both

Band College in Ashland, Oregon, and

this award to this very deserving

nationally and internationally having

serves on the ABC Board of Directors.

recipient.

conducted All-State Bands in Indiana, Virginia, Colorado, Arkansas, and

The National Band Association is

Kentucky. He has served as a clinician

proud to recognize this amazing artist.

at the Midwest International Band

Congratulations!!

and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and at numerous conferences and in-service workshops. In 1997, he conducted the music camp honor band for the Department of Education in the Northern Region of Queensland, Australia. His service to our professional organizations is exemplary. He has served on the Score Selection Committee for the National Band Association Revelli Band Composition Contest and as a member of their Board of Directors as the Collegiate Representative. He served as President

JAY GEPHART

of the Big Ten Band Directors

Professor Gephart, Al G. Wright

Association and holds the position of

Chair of Purdue Bands and Orchestras,

Vice President and Treasurer of the

has excelled in each of the criteria

John Philip Sousa Foundation.

specified in the award. In a university

Gephart is a member of the Indiana

that does not offer any music degree

Bandmasters Association, the National

programs, his leadership has helped

Association for Music Education,

to create over 30 ensemble offerings

and Phi Beta Mu and he served as

that impact more than 1300 Purdue

the 83rd President of the American

students. Jay spearheaded a multi-year 26

NBA JOURNAL

PEDAGOGY Flipped Classroom Strategies for Band Directors ... Kandis King Taylor, cont.

"So long as the human spirit thrives on this planet, music in some living form will accompany and sustain it ..." –Aaron Copland

Be part of the world’s largest professional organization for bands, dedicated to promoting the musical and educational significance of bands and the attainment of a high level of excellence for bands and band music. The NBA is open to anyone and everyone interested in bands and stands ready to serve all members of our thriving musical community. WINT ER 2024

JOIN OR RENEW TODAY

NationalBandAssociation.org/join 27

NBA NEWS

VIET CUON G’S DECIDUOUS

WINS THE 2023 NBA WILLIAM D. REVELLI MEMORIAL BAND COMPOSITION CONTEST BY MATTHEW MCCUTCHEN

t gives me a great deal of pleasure to report that the NBA’s William D. Revelli competition continues to thrive. We received 61 entries this year, including pieces from Poland, Japan, Sauerland, Australia, Canada, and Iran. Following an exhaustive screening process the selection

committee, consisting of 14 accomplished directors from throughout the United States, named Viet Cuong’s Deciduous the winner of the 2023 competition. Dr. Cuong serves as Assistant Professor of Music Composition and Theory at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he teaches composition, orchestration, and music theory. He grew up in Marietta, GA, where he played piano, percussion, and clarinet in the terrific Lassiter High School marching and concert bands. He holds degrees from Princeton University, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Peabody Conservatory. He composes for practically all

mediums, but the wind band world likes to claim him as one of our own. His wind ensemble works are widely performed and have been programmed by the world’s preeminent wind bands. The term deciduous refers to a plant that sheds it’s leaves annually. About Deciduous, Cuong writes: "For a long time after my father passed away, I felt like I had “lost my leaves.” In the ways that leaves harness light to create energy for trees and plants, I felt like I had so little left to harness creatively. Many days I feared those leaves would never grow back. After struggling for months to write, I finally found some healing while creating Deciduous. This 28

Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA William D. Revelli Memorial Band Competition Contest Winner ..., Matthew McCutchen, cont. involved revisiting chord progressions that brought me solace as a child and activating them in textures that I have enjoyed exploring as an adult. The piece cycles through these chord progressions, building to a moment where it’s stripped of everything and must find a way to renew itself. While I continue to struggle with this loss, I have come to understand that healing is not as much of a linear process as it is a cyclical journey, where, without fail, every leafless winter is followed by a spring.” Deciduous is scored for standard wind band instrumentation with the additions of a third flute, soprano saxophone, only 2 horns, and optional (but recommended) piano. As with much of Cuong’s music, percussion is crucial to the success of the piece. It was originally scored for 8 percussionists, but by redistributing a handful of instruments it can be performed by 6 players. Both versions of percussion parts are included when the piece is purchased. Required instruments include timpani, 2 marimbas, 2 vibraphones, suspended cymbal, bass drum, triangle,

and buzz. Cuong explains: "Crotale/snare drum effect: strike crotale with a mallet, then slowly lower it onto the snares of an upsidedown snare drum. Sympathetic vibrations in the drum will increase as the crotale is lowered, culminating in a zap right as the crotale makes contact with the snares. If you use a mallet that’s on the softer side—such as a medium plastic mallet—you should be able to strike the crotales aggressively enough (allowing them to vibrate sufficiently and activate the snares) without the actual sound of striking the crotales being too harsh. • o above note: strike crotale away from snares with mallet. • + above note: crotale makes contact with snares (mallet is not involved with this note). • Wedge above notes between

4, B4, C4, E4, D4, F4, and G4. These are used to create an innovative effect in which crotales seem to crescendo WINT ER 2024

Youth (BAY) Winds and the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Florida Wind Band. He is the chair of the National Band Association’s

onto snares after striking crotale.

is on the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion

(The circle with a dot in its center

of Honor Selection Committee and is a member

indicates to again strike the

of the American Bandmasters Association.

crotale closer to the drum before it finally makes contact with

of a grade 5 on most state lists. One

snares.)"

of Cuong’s goals in writing Deciduous was to make more accessible the sounds that he has become known for in his grade 6 works like Vital Sines and Re(new)al. Conductors should be

It should be noted that crotales

must own or be able to borrow A4, Bb

the founder and conductor of the Bay Area

William D. Revelli Band Composition Contest,

snare drums.

considering programming Deciduous

at the University of South Florida. He is also

o and +: gradually lower crotale

glockenspiel, chimes, crotales, and 6

are essential to the piece, so bands

Matthew McCutchen is the Director of Bands

aware of the following challenges: The work is 8 ½ minutes long and is minimalistic and repetitive in nature. While it was written for an All-State ensemble, it is accessible to strong high school ensembles and will likely be considered the equivalent

1. In general there are few range concerns, although flutes, first clarinets, first bassoon, and soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones must be comfortable in their lower altissimo registers. Also, horns need Continued on next page

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA William D. Revelli Memorial Band Competition Contest Winner ..., Matthew McCutchen, cont. to have an F# in their aresnal at

The instances in the trumpet parts

the very end of the piece. Writing

should similarly save most of their

idiomatically for wind instruments

crescendos for the ends of the notes, as

is one of Dr. Cuong’s greatest

well as end them abruptly with tongue

strengths.

stops. The only difference is how the notes are attacked, which is accented

2. Solid performances on all pitched

and forte-piano."

Pounce ~Holly Harrison Luminance ~Shuying Li L.A.tudes for Band ~Jules Pegram

percussion are essential, and while Dr. Cuong lists the piano as optional,

Deciduous was commissioned by

an important voice will be missing if

the Florida Bandmasters Association

that instrument is not present.

for their 2023 11-12 All-State Band directed by Emily Threinen. It was

3. The key to a successful

premiered in January 2023 at the

performance lies in close

annual Florida Music Educators

attendition to stylistic accuracy by

Association Conference in Tampa, Fl.

carefuly observing all articulation

A recording of that performance can

and dynamic instructions. In many

be found on YouTube.

cases, these details are written to replicate electronic music processes

Deciduous is available for purchase

such as delay echoes and reversed

from vietcuongmusic.com, and a

tape effects. In the case of the latter,

perusal score and video showing

Cuong is acoustically imitating

how to perform the crotale effect can

sounds created by recording sound

be found at vietcuongmusic.com/

onto magnetic tape and then

deciduous. Ensembles that program

physically reversing the tape so that

the work will be profoundly rewarded.

Symphony No. 4 ~James Stephenson A note of thanks to all who served on the screening and selection committees and to JW Pepper for sponsoring this year’s prize. The caliber of entries this year was outstanding, and it is clear that wind band music continues to experiment, grow, and thrive.

when the tape is played back, the sounds recorded on it are heard in reverse. Cuong writes:

The remaining finalists for the 2023 contest are listed below. Each of these are interesting and compelling pieces

"Imagine the sound of a piano note

well-deserving of performance and

recorded and then reversed, creating a

academic study.

crescendo from nothing that releases suddenly. The instances in the oboe, clarinet, and saxophone parts should begin as softly as possible, while saving most of the crescendos for the ends of

Bamboo Shoots and City Streets ~Ben Barker Before the Dawn ~David Biedenbender

the notes. The note releases should be performed very abruptly with tongue stops.

Elytra ~Paul Dooley

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS

2023 NBA PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF DISTINCTION

DAVID GREGORY

t the National

2002-2004, was inducted into the

Band Association’s

NBA Hall of Fall in 2020, and Chair

General Meeting

of the AWAPA Committee (2022-

held at the Midwest

2024). At Reinhardt University Dr.

Clinic, President

Gregory taught undergraduate Music

Randall Coleman announced Dr.

Education classes, music technology,

David Gregory as the recipient of the

conducting, and orchestration and

Presidential Medal of Distinction.

arranging courses; conducted the

teacher interns; and was coordinator of the Music Education program. Additionally, he taught graduate classes in conducting, scoring and arranging, literature, and directed international studies. He was the Georgia NAfME Collegiate advisor and coordinator of all state NAfME Collegiate activities for GMEA from 2007 until his retirement in 2014. Thank you, Dr. Gregory, for your tireless efforts to elevate the quality of bands in this country. Congratulations!

Wind Ensemble; supervised student David Gregory – Dr. Gregory is the founder and the Conductor Emeritus of the Georgia Wind Symphony. He is former Director of Bands/ Coordinator of Music Education at Reinhardt University (Ret.) and Director Emeritus of the Tara Winds. He has conducted elementary, junior high, high school, community college, university and professional bands during his distinguished career. A former director of bands at Hardaway High School in Columbus (GA), Forest Park High School in Forest Park (GA), and the University of Florida in Gainesville, (FL), and former Clayton County (GA) Coordinator of Instrumental Music, Dr. Gregory served as Assistant to the Superintendent in that school system for twelve years until his retirement from public school work. Dr. Gregory has served as NBA First Vice President from 2000-2002, NBA President from WINT ER 2024

NBA NEWS

2023 DR. WILLIAM P. FOS TER PROJECT AWARDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AWARDS EASTERN DIVISION

NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION

SOUTHERN DIVISION

NORTHWESTERN DIVISION

Jennifer Theilaker Kipp Infinity Middle School Harlem, NY Sarkino Walker Sandtown Middle School Atlanta, GA SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION

Shane Goforth North Shore High School Houston, TX

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Justin Antos Dwight D. Eisenhower High School Blue Island, IL Andrew Bowerly Tenino High School Tenino, WA WESTERN DIVISION

Christian Lozano Canyon Springs High School Moreno Valley, CA

PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL Joshua Blair, Director Rachel Rosent, Director Plant City, FL

2023 NBA CITATIONS OF EXCELLENCE

HINSDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE George Andrikokus, Director

THE HILLGROVE HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ORCHESTRA Jeremy Lumpkin, Director

VANDERCOOK COLLEGE OF MUSIC SYMPHONIC BAND Alex Kaminsky, Director

YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE Kevin Callihan, Director

WHEATON MUNICIPAL BAND Bruce Moss, Director

KELLER MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND David Puckett, Director NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS

2023 NBA PROGRAMS OF EXCELLENCE BLUE RIBBON AWARD, SOUTHERN DIVISION

FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL Michael Antmann & Abigail Mistretta, Directors Orlando, FL

H.B. PLANT HIGH SCHOOL Brian P. Dell, Director Tampa, FL

2023 NBA PROGRAMS OF EXCELLENCE BLUE RIBBON AWARD, SOUTHERN DIVISION 2023 NBA PROGRAMS OF EXCELLENCE BLUE RIBBON AWARD, NORTHWES TERN DIVISION

SHERWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Brant Stai, Director Sherwood, OR

WINT ER 2024

NBA NEWS

2023 NBA PROGRAMS OF EXCELLENCE BLUE RIBBON AWARD, NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION .

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Samanth Beeman, Jackson Churchill, & Josh Waymire, Directors West Des Moines, IA

YORKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Victor Anderson & Bobby Vriezen, Directors Yorkville, IL

2023 NBA PROGRAMS OF EXCELLENCE BLUE RIBBON AWARD, NATIONAL

CREEK VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Kim Cooley & Joshua Lott, Directors Carrollton, TX

KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL Corey Futrel & Michael Huebner, Directors Kennesaw, GA

LANGLEY HIGH SCHOOL Doug Martin, Kai Smith & Doug Wallace, Directors McLean, VA

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS

NBA EXECUTIVE C OMMITTEE MEETIN G THE MIDWEST CLINIC–CHICAGO, ILLINOIS BURNHAM A–MCCORMIC K PL ACE | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023 10:00AM–11:20AM | PRESIDENT RANDALL COLEMAN , PRESIDING President Randall Coleman called the meeting to order at 11:30 AM.

Nominating Committee to be held at 3:00 PM

and future discussions will be presented to

that afternoon. The purpose of the meeting

the Board of Directors for approval and to the

Members in attendance:

will be to create a slate of candidates to run for

General Membership for a vote.

• Randall Coleman, President • Jason Fettig, President-Elect • Matt Temple, Vice-President • Rebecca Phillips, Immediate Past President • Scott Tobias, Executive Secretary-Treasurer

election to officer and board positions for the NBA 2024-2026 biennium.

NBA Journal As previously approved by the Board of

Meeting agendas

Directors, the NBA Journal will be moving to

President Coleman reviewed the agendas for the

a digital format in the near future. Executive

NBA Board of Directors Meeting, Division and

Finance and Membership

Secretary Scott Tobias informed the Executive

State Chairs Meeting, and General Membership

Executive Secretary-Treasurer Scott Tobias

Committee that our webmaster was working

Meeting taking place later in the week to

shared with the Executive Committee the

on creating an account option through the

ensure that all needed topics were included for

financial and membership reports to be

NBA website that would allow members to

discussion.

indicate their preference of receiving a print

presented at the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. As of December 16, 2023,

NBA Constitution

membership stood at 2459 active members. As

President-Elect Jason Fettig led a discussion

of November 30, 2023, the NBA account balance

about several slight updates that may be needed

stood at $51,237.14.

in the NBA Constitution to reflect current practices and/or improve the current structure

Past Presidents Nominating Committee Immediate Past President Rebecca Phillips briefed the Executive Committee on the upcoming meeting of the Past Presidents

WINT ER 2024

of the association. Possible updates discussed included division lines, a clearer separation

version of the Journal instead of the new default digital version. This new system option should be operational early in 2024. Once in place, instructions will be sent to members allowing them to indicate their preference before the move to digital takes place.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 AM.

of elements in the Constitution versus the By-Laws, and a few procedural updates. Any proposals developed from this discussion

NBA NEWS

NBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETIN G THE MIDWEST CLINIC–CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MCCORMIC K PL ACE–PRAIRIE B | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023 9:00AM–10:30AM | PRESIDENT RANDALL COLEMAN , PRESIDING President Randall Coleman called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM President Coleman asked everyone to introduce themselves. He also acknowledged and congratulated Jason Fettig on his retirement from the United States Marine Band, “The President’s Own,” which had taken place the previous night.

Members in Attendance

• David Gregory, AWAPA Chair • Amanda Siegert, Student Representative • Rich Stichler, Young Composers Jazz Composition Contest Chair

• Heath Nails NBA Awards Chair • Mike Miller, Music Industry Representative • Bobby Lambert, High School Representative • Brian Covey, High School Representative • Chip De Stefano, Elementary/Middle/Junior High School Representative

• Thad Driskell, North Central Division Chair • Don Schofield, At-Large Representative • Arris Golden, College/University Representative

• Tiffany Hitz, Elementary/Middle/Junior High School Representative

• Mark Heidel, At-Large Representative • Lowell Graham, At-Large Representative • Wolson Gustama, Foster Project Representative

• Diane Koutsoulis, At-Large Representative • Andrew Yozviak, Eastern Division Chair • Matthew McCutchen, Revelli Composition Contest Chair

• Michael Burch-Pesses, Community Band Representative

• Chad Kamei, High School Representative • Myra Rhoden, Programs of Excellence Chair • Randall Coleman, President 36

• Jason Fettig, President-Elect • Matt Temple, Vice-President • Rebecca Phillips, Immediate Past President • Scott Tobias, Executive Secretary-Treasurer Membership Report Scott Tobias reported that membership was at

Coleman indicated that this suggestion would be discussed later in the meeting as part of a larger proposal.

NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest Matthew McCutchen reported that 61

2459 members as of December 16. This marked

entries were received this year, and 8 finalist

the seventh straight year that membership

compositions were brought to Midwest for

in the association has increased. See the full

review by the committee. The winner will be

Membership Report on page 45 of the NBA

announced at the General Membership meeting

Journal, Volume LXIV, No. 2, Winter 2024

this afternoon.

Financial Report: Scott Tobias reported as of November 30 there is a balance of $51,237.14 in the NBA bank account. This balance included a part of the Midwest Clinic 2023 expenses. Also, $9,000 of this balance is encumbered for upcoming expenses related to NBA Hall of Fame inductions. A full financial report may be found on page 44 of the NBA Journal, Volume LXIV, No. 2, Winter 2024.

NBA Foundation Susan Creasap sent a report that the current balance in the NBA Foundation account is $268,574.94. This sizeable increase over last year’s balance is due to a generous gift of $200,000.00 from Gladys Wright to help support

Division and State Reports The Board heard brief Division reports from Andrew Yozviak (successful partnership event with US Coast Guard Band), Thad Driskell (symposium hosted by McCracken Middle School, IBA/NBA/MFA IDEA project), and Jason Fettig on behalf of Corey Spurlin (upcoming CBDNA-NBA joint division conference in Memphis). President Coleman and PresidentElect Fettig thanked the Division Chairs for their work this year. See the full report of Division and State activity on the NBA website at

nationalbandassociation.org/historyarchives. Community Bands Michael Burch-Pesses reported that

programs such as the Al and Gladys Wright

community bands nationwide have enjoyed a

Distinguished Legacy Award.

strong recovery from the restrictions of COVID,

NBA Young Composer Jazz Composition Contest Rich Stichler reported that the committee decided there was not a worthy submission this year to be named as the winner. He also offered a suggestion from the committee that the contest be moved to a biannual schedule with the next contest to be held in 2025. President

and membership continues to increase. The Association of Concert Bands reported 624 member bands last year and 645 this year. Congratulations were offered to the two adult/ community bands performing at this year’s Midwest Clinic – the Louisville Concert Band (Frederick Speck, conductor) and the Wheaton Municipal Band (Bruce Moss, conductor). See Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA Board of Directors Meeting, cont. the full Community Bands report on page of the

a few years ago, but things are moving in a

NBA also wants to provide resources to help

NBA Journal, Volume LXIV, No. 2, Winter 2024.

positive direction at this point. The industry

future music educators. Jason Fettig also

also feels that there appears to be an increase

reported that legal counsel was sought due to

in students joining bands again. A few shipping

possible concerns over liability issues with

delays still exist, but in general activities are

using the term “student chapters.” The NBA has

returning to pre-COVID levels.

been advised that using the term “NBA Affiliate

William P. Foster Project Wolson Gustama reported that six individuals had been selected as division recipients of the William P. Foster Project Community Development Award. These individuals were chosen from 75 nominees. These recipients, along with the school receiving the William P. Foster Project Award of Excellence, will be recognized at this afternoon’s NBA General Membership meeting and at tonight’s Midwest Clinic Diversity Reception. Also announced, Scott Casagrande will be stepping down as the chair of the William P. Foster Project after ten years of service. A search for new leadership is underway.

Military-Professional Bands Colonel Daniel Toven was unable to be in attendance. Colonel Jason Fettig and Colonel Don Schofield provided information. International travel by the premiere military bands has resumed following restrictions due to COVID. The United States Marine Band recently toured the Czech Republic. The United States Air Force recently performed in Scotland and Denmark, and the United States Navy Band will travel to South Korea next year. Colonel Schofield reported that due to the Air National Guard expanding their abilities into cyber programs, the Air National Guard Bands are being cut due to a limited number of positions within the overall unit. Additionally, there will not be a separate Space Force Band. The United States Air Force Band will support all Space Force responsibilities.

Music Research President Coleman reported on behalf of Brian Silvey who was unable to attend. A full report will be submitted and included in the NBA Journal.

Music Industry Mike Miller stated that all in all everyone had a good year. COVID put a glitch in everything

WINT ER 2024

Selective Music List – Jazz

Student Chapter” should help avoid any legal concerns.

President Coleman reported that work in ongoing for a selective music list for jazz.

Selective Music List – Concert

NBA Awards Heath Nails reported that a new Google Sheets system was implemented this year to

Arris Golden reported that the NBA has

help with requesting and tracking awards.

been working with the Institute on Composer

The guidelines for requesting a Citation of

Diversity at SUNY-Fredonia to create an online

Excellence state that such requests should

version of the list with expanded capabilities.

be done by the State Chairs. Heath Nails

Once completed, members will be able to

informed the Board that any requests coming

search the list by various parameters such as

from individuals other than State Chairs are

length, meter, form, instrumentation, etc. The

forwarded to the appropriate State Chair

list will remain password protected and for NBA

for approval before being sent. During the

members only.

past year, the NBA presented 169 Citations of

Selective Music List – Marches Don Schofield reported that the committee will be working on efforts to add descriptive criteria to the list such as meter, key, etc.

Marching Bands Bobby Lambert reported that one of the biggest challenges for the committee has been not to repeat things already being done by others. The NBA is working on creating a voice/ presence in the marching arts consistent with NBA philosophies. The committee is exploring the idea of helping programs by becoming a possible affiliate with non-competitive marching band festivals in various states.

NBA Student Groups Amanda Siegert reported that a survey was distributed in April to gather information on any student groups already in existence. Responses were limited. Work is on-going to create new guidelines and establish new student groups at colleges and universities. Jason Fettig stated that the goal is to encourage students to join with the hopes that they will stay members after graduation. The

Excellence, 44 Certificates of Merit for Marching Excellence, 9 Outstanding Jazz Educator Awards, 26 Outstanding Jazz Student Awards, 22 Band Booster Awards, 100 Outstanding Music Camper Awards, and 73 Outstanding Band Musician Awards for a total of 443 awards presented.

Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award Myra Rhoden thanked Melinda McKenzieHall for her work in coordinating applications. She then reported that Division Recipients for 2023 had been named and announced. They are: Southern Division - Freedom High School (Orlando, Florida), Michael Antmann and Abigail Mistretta, directors; Kennesaw Mountain High School (Kennesaw, Georgia), Michael Huebner and Corey Futrell, directors; Langley High School (McLean, Virginia), Doug Martin, Kai Smith, and Doug Wallace, directors; H.B Plant High School (Tampa, Florida), Brian Dell, director; Southwestern Division – Creek Valley Middle School (Carrollton, Texas), Kim Cooley and Joshua Lott, directors; Northwestern Division - Sherwood High School (Sherwood, Continued on next page

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA Board of Directors Meeting, cont. Oregon), Brant Stai, director; and North Central

grants. Clarification was provided that funds

to create a new composition contest for

Division – Valley High School (West Des Moines,

are to be used for professional development

under-represented composers. Details of the

Iowa), Josh Waymire, Jackson Churchill, and

opportunities for directors. Also, four requests

contest, including a formal name, funding, and

Samantha Beeman, directors; Yorkville High

for the NBA Booth were received – Illinois,

procedures, still need to be determined. Don

School (Yorkville, Illinois), Victor Anderson and

Utah, Texas, and North Dakota.

Schofield asked if potential sponsors would

Bobby Vriezen, directors. The schools receiving the National Award will be announced later in the day at the NBA General Membership Meeting.

NBA Journal President Coleman reported that, as previously discussed, the NBA Journal will be

have any influence over aspects of the award. Rebecca Phillips responded on behalf of the committees that potential sponsors would not have any influence.

moving to an all-digital format in the coming

Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award

year. Members wishing to still receive a

Executive Committee recommended shifting the

request that via an option on the NBA website.

individuals have been selected for the award

timeline of existing NBA composition contests

Instructions will be forthcoming to all members

this year. They will be announced later in the

in order to avoid awarding too many in a single

on how to select their preferred version – digital

day at the NBA General Membership Meeting.

year. The new timeline would be:

or print.

Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors

D-Day All-American Band

Rebecca Phillips reported that two

President Coleman reported on behalf

The NBA provided $20,000 in financial aid

of Tom Fraschillo. An announcement will

to students participating in the 2023 D-Day

be made this afternoon at the NBA General

All-American Band coordinated by Historic

Membership Meeting regarding the newest

Programs and led by Colonel Tim Holtan. Scott

elected member(s) to the Hall of Fame.

Tobias, Chad Kamei, and Myra Rhoden traveled

AWAPA Commission David Gregory reported that the 2022 recipients, Julie Giroux and Frank Ticheli, would be formally recognized at the NBA

with the band as staff members and provided a brief report to the Board of the trip.

IDEA Committee Rebecca Phillips introduced Mary

General Membership Meeting that afternoon.

Crandall (past president – Iowa Bandmasters

At that time, David Gregory will also announce

Association) who reported on the National Band

the 2023 recipient(s).

Association / Music for All / Iowa Bandmasters Association joint IDEA project. During the past

OLD BUSINESS

year, four specialists were paired with band

New Membership Pins

directors in Iowa to work on the incorporation

President Coleman reported that new NBA membership pins are now available for free for all NBA members. The pins are available at the NBA booth in the exhibit hall for those in attendance at Midwest. Those not in attendance will receive their pins via mail over the next few months. A specially designed pin for NBA Past Presidents is in production and should be available for presentation in March.

Project Grants and Booth Requests Matt Temple reported that ten project grant applications were received this year, and $3,250.00 had been approved for these

As part of creating this new contest, the

print copy of the NBA Journal will be able to

of diversity within their programs. These specialists were Will Talley, Ingrid Larragoity, Arris Golden, and Danh Pham. Administrations and school boards have been included in this project to make sure that all bases were covered. The program proved to be very successful and will be expanding to eight schools in the coming year.

NEW BUSINESS IDEA Composition Contest President Coleman presented a recommendation to the Board on behalf of the IDEA Committee and the Executive Committee

• William D. Revelli Composition Contest – annually

• Merrill Jones Composition Contest & Alfred Young Band Composition Contest – even numbered years only beginning in 2024

• Young Composers Jazz Composition Contest & new IDEA Composition Contest – odd numbered years only beginning in 2025 The Board voted unanimously to approve this proposal.

NBA SML Database As mentioned earlier in the meeting, the NBA Selective Music List will be added to the servers controlled by the Institute for Composer Diversity housed at SUNY-Fredonia to allow for a database with expanded search parameters. President Coleman informed the Board that this move would require an annual fee of $2,000. Rebecca Phillips recommended creating a 5-year contract with the ICD which included the fee and outlined the services to be provided. The Board voted unanimously for President Coleman to move forward with the creation of the 5-year contract which will be sent to the Board for final approval when ready.

NBA Corporate Relations President Coleman thanked Gary Smith who Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA Board of Directors Meeting, cont. has served as the NBA Corporate Relations Chair for the past several years. In this role Gary Smith has been responsible for securing corporate sponsor and corporate members for the NBA. Gary has recommended to the Executive Committee that a new model/process be developed for the recruitment of corporate members and sponsors. The Executive Committee will begin exploring options for a new model in the coming year. President Coleman reminded the Board that dues for corporate members were temporarily reduced last year from $500 to $250 in an attempt to encourage smaller companies to join. President Coleman made a motion that this reduction in dues be made permanent. The motion was unanimously approved by the Board. A motion to adjourn was made by David Gregory, seconded, and approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 AM.

WINT ER 2024

NBA NEWS

NBA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETIN G THE MIDWEST CLINIC–CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MCCORMICK PLACE–PRAIRIE B | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023 4:00PM–5:00PM | PRESIDENT RANDALL COLEMAN, PRESIDING President Randall Coleman called the

(VanderCook College of Music Symphony Band),

individuals who had been selected as Division

meeting to order at 4:00 PM

Bruce Moss (Wheaton Municipal Band), and

recipients of the Foster Project Community

Kevin Callihan (Youth Performing Arts School

Development Award: Jennifer Theilacker, Kipp

Wind Ensemble).

Infinity Middle School, Harlem, New York

President Coleman invited Todd Rogers (Bob Rogers Travel) and Mike Miller (Fred J. Miller) to the podium to make brief remarks. President Coleman then introduced the past presidents in attendance.

Membership Report Scott Tobias reported that membership was at 2459 members as of December 15. This marked the seventh straight year that membership in the association has increased.

Financial Report

Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award Myra Rhoden recognized the Division recipients for 2023: Southern Division Freedom High School (Orlando, Florida), Michael Antmann and Abigail Mistretta, directors; Kennesaw Mountain High School (Kennesaw, Georgia), Michael Huebner and Corey Futrell, directors; Langley High School (McLean, Virginia), Doug Martin, Kai Smith,

Scott Tobias reported as of November 30

and Doug Wallace, directors; H.B Plant High

there is a balance of $51,237.14 in the NBA bank

School (Tampa, Florida), Brian Dell, director;

account and there is $268,574.94 in the NBA

Southwestern Division – Creek Valley Middle

Foundation.

School (Carrollton, Texas), Kim Cooley and Joshua Lott, directors; Northwestern Division

NBA Young Composer Jazz Composition Contest Rich Stichler reported that no winner was selected for this year.

NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest Matt McCutchen reported that 61 entries

- Sherwood High School (Sherwood, Oregon), Brant Stai, director; and North Central Division – Valley High School (West Des Moines, Iowa), Josh Waymire, Jackson Churchill, and Samantha Beeman, directors; Yorkville High School (Yorkville, Illinois), Victor Anderson and Bobby Vriezen, directors.

were received for the 2023 contest. The 2023 winner is Deciduous by Viet Cuong.

Rhoden then announced the National recipients for this year: Creek Valley Middle

NBA Citations of Excellence Matt Temple announced that NBA Citations

School (Carrollton, Texas), Kim Cooley and Joshua Lott, directors; Langley High School

of Excellence were being presented to those

(McLean, Virginia), Doug Martin, Kai Smith,

NBA members whose ensembles were

and Doug Wallace, directors; and Kennesaw

performing at the 2023 Midwest Clinic: George

Mountain High School (Kennesaw, Georgia),

Andrikokus (Hinsdale Middle School Jazz

Michael Huebner and Corey Futrell, directors.

Ensemble), David Puckett (Keller Middle School Band), Jeremy Lumpkin (The Hillgrove High School Jazz Orchestra), Alexander Kaminsky

William P. Foster Project Wolson Gustama recognized the six

(Eastern Division); Sarkino Walker, Sandtown Middle School, Atlanta, Georgia (Southern Division); Shane Goforth, North Shore High School, Houston, Texas (Southwestern Division); Justin Antos, Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Blue Island, Illinois (North Central Division); Andrew Bowerly, Tenino High School, Tenino, Washington (Northwestern Division); and Christian Lozano, Canyon Springs High School, Moreno Valley, California (Western Division). Gustama also announced this year’s recipient of the Dr. William P. Foster Project Award of Excellence: Plant City High School (Plant City, Florida), Joshua Blair and Rachel Rosen, directors.

NBA Presidential Medal of Distinction President Coleman presented the NBA Presidential Medal of Distinction to David Gregory. This new award reads, “Your professional service as a member of the National Band Association and your pursuit of musical performances of distinction serve as a model for others. Your record of dedication to our profession is one of which you may be justifiably proud, and your commitment to excellence is evident by the quality of your actions and integrity of your intent.”

Al & Gladys Wright Distinguished Legacy Award Committee chair Rebecca Phillips announced that two individuals had been selected for the Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS 2023 NBA General Membership Meeting, cont. award this year. Committee members Elva Kaye Lance and Diane Koutsulis announced the first recipient is Paula Crider. Committee members Terry Austin and Chadwick Kamei announced the second recipient is Jay Gephart. Both recipients will be presented with the award at a future date in 2024.

AWAPA Commission David Gregory made the official presentation of the AWAPA statue, medallion, and certificate to Julie Giroux and Frank Ticheli. Lowell Graham announced that Gerald Guilbeaux had been elected to the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts for the year 2023. Gregory announced that John Stoner had also been elected to the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts for the year 2023. Guilbeaux and Stoner will be presented with the AWAPA materials at the 2024 NBA General Membership Meeting during the Midwest Clinic.

Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors On behalf of chair Thomas Fraschillo it was announced that two new members had been elected to the NBA Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors. Michael Luley announced the election of Roy Holder, and Shelby Chipman announced the election of Julian White. These two individuals will be formally inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors along with Dennis Zeisler (posthumously) during a formal ceremony at Troy University in February 2025.

Final Remarks President-Elect Jason Fettig presented President Coleman with a commemorative plaque and thanked him for his service as President of the National Band Association. President Coleman thanked the membership for the positive work being done on behalf of the National Band Association and invited everyone to stay for a reception sponsored by Bob Rogers Travel.

Meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM.

WINT ER 2024

NBA NEWS

2023 COMMUNITY BANDS REPORT BY MICHAEL BURCH-PESSES I’m delighted to report that community bands

collegiate division for band performance

nationwide have enjoyed a strong recovery

‣ In the Conducting—band/wind

from the restrictions of COVID, and continue to

ensemble (non-collegiate division), two

increase their membership. Community players

members have been recognized at the

appear to be eager to join (and rejoin) local

semi-finalist level, one of whom has

bands and express themselves musically, and

advanced to the finalist level.

audiences are rebounding as well.

‣ Two member composers were recognized as semi-finalists in 3

The Association of Concert Bands The Association of Concert Bands (ACB) is the largest organization dedicated to community

categories: orchestra, instrumental chamber music, and choral. One is a finalist in a category not yet announced.

bands, with members throughout the United States, in Canada, Germany, Ireland and Spain,

Congratulations as well to the two

of the Association of Concert Bands, is Distinguished Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Pacific University in Forest

community bands selected to perform at the

Grove, Oregon, where he conducts the Wind

• Last year at this time the ACB had 624

2023 Midwest Clinic: the Louisville Concert

Ensemble and Jazz Band, and teaches courses

member bands, and that number has grown

Band, Frederick Speck, conductor; and The

in conducting and music education. He

to 645. Individual memberships number

Wheaton Municipal Band, Dr. Bruce Moss,

enjoyed a distinguished career as a bandmaster

1260, and the Association expects an increase

conductor.

in the United States Navy before arriving at

Australia and the United Kingdom.

in individual memberships beginning with their membership renewal on November 1. • Corporate memberships, including music publishers, number 21. Although this

The New Horizons International Music Association The New Horizons International Music

Pacific University. During his Navy career he served as Leader of the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland, Assistant Leader of the Navy Band in Washington, DC,

number is smaller than the pre-pandemic

Association (NHIMA) provides music-making

level, the Association anticipates that number

opportunities for adults, including those with

will grow now that bands are ordering music

no musical experience, and those who were

at the previous rate again.

active in school music programs but have been

also is the Conductor of the award-winning

• ACB’s Young Composers Composition

inactive for a long period.

Oregon Symphonic Band, Oregon's premier

in June 2024 with the winner announced in

and Director of the Commodores, the Navy's official jazz ensemble. Dr. Burch-Pesses

community band. In 2006 the band performed

Contest opened in August 2023 and will close Founded in 1991 by Roy Ernst, a professor

at the Midwest Clinic, and in 2007 the John

November 2024. The winning composition

at the Eastman School of Music, NHIMA

Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the band

will premiere in 2025.

represents more than 230 New Horizons bands,

the Sudler Silver Scroll, recognizing them

• Several members have been recognized

orchestras, choral groups throughout the USA, Canada, Ireland and Australia. In 2023, New

as one of the outstanding community bands

by the American Prize this year. As of this writing:

Horizons bands enjoyed the same revitalization

‣ 4 bands in band performance are

Michael Burch-Pesses, the President-Elect

as ACB bands:

still in the running for winning in the

• This year the Association offered more

community division (category not

than thirty virtual events in the areas of

announced yet)

“Rhythm Reading”, “The Tony Bennett

‣ One member conducts a band in the

Effect”, Professional development classes

in the nation. He is the author of “Canadian Band Music: A Qualitative Guide to Canadian Composers and Their Works for Band,” and is a regular contributor to the “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band” series. He also is a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician. Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

NBA NEWS 2023 Community Bands Report, Michael Burch-Pesses, cont. for Directors, and The Music of the Beatles, just to name a few. For 2024 the Association projects fifty virtual events. • In person camps were both exciting and educational. More than 250 people attended these events offering classes in: German Band, Clarinet Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Saxophone Choir, Brass Ensemble, Bucket Drumming,Ukulele Ensemble, and even an ad hoc Kazoo Chorus. • In 2024 NHIMA plans to offer bilingual virtual sessions as well as adding more ensembles in Europe. In closing last year’s very positive report I expressed the hope that I would have even better news this year, and I’m pleased that my hopes have been realized. More community members are returning to active music making, and more venues are opening up to live performances. The future looks bright for community bands, their members and their audiences.

WINT ER 2024

NBA NEWS

National Band Association Statement of Activity December 2022 - November 2023 National Band Association Statement of Activity December 2022 - November 2023

Revenue DECEMBER 2022 – NOVEMBER 2023

42,862.45 42,862.45

Membership Dues…………………………………………………………………………………………………….………...$89,364.54 Revenue Application / Performance Fees Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award Application Fees………….……………………………………….1,000.00 Membership Dues…………………………………………………………………………………………………….………...$89,364.54 CBDNA/NBA-SD Application and Performance Fees..……………………………………………………………....2,800.00 Application / Performance Fees Hall Of Fame Fee…………………………………………………………………………………………………..6,000.00 Programs of Nomination Excellence Blue Ribbon Award Application Fees………….……………………………………….1,000.00 Total Application/Performance Fees…………………………………………………………………………………… $9,800.00 CBDNA/NBA-SD Application and Performance Fees..……………………………………………………………....2,800.00 Selective Hall OfMusic Fame list Nomination Fee…………………………………………………………………………………………………..6,000.00 Selective Music list usage……………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….600.00 Total Application/Performance Fees…………………………………………………………………………………… $9,800.00 Total Selective Music List………………………………………………………………………………………………………..$600.00 Selective Music list Donations Selective/ Sponsorships………………………………………………………………………………………………………$4,000.00 Music list usage……………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….600.00 Misc. Income………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………….……..$44.55 Total Selective Music List………………………………………………………………………………………………………..$600.00 Interest Earned (Chase)……………..………………………………………………………………………………………….…………$3.73 Donations / Sponsorships………………………………………………………………………………………………………$4,000.00 Total Revenue ………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………......$103,812.82 Misc. Income………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………….……..$44.55 Interest Earned (Chase)……………..………………………………………………………………………………………….…………$3.73 Expenditures Total Revenue ………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………......$103,812.82 Administrative Expenditures Expenses NBA Office………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…2,398.32 Website/Technology………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2,032.83 Administrative Expenses NBA Office………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…2,398.32 Professional Fees………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………...2,735.00 Website/Technology………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2,032.83 Bank Service Fees……………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………........360.00 Professional Fees………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………...2,735.00 Total Administrative Expenses……………………………………………………………………………………………..$7,526.15 Bank Service Fees……………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………........360.00 Programs / Contests / Awards Total Administrative Expenses……………………………………………………………………………………………..$7,526.15 Young Composers Jazz Composition Contest……………………………………………………………………….…..1,000.00 Programs / Contests / Awards Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award…………………………………………………………..……………..…….593.33 YoungJones Composers Jazz Composition Contest……………………………………………………………………….…..1,000.00 Merrill Composition Contest…………………………………………………………………………………………..2,000.00 Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award…………………………………………………………..……………..…….593.33 Wright Legacy Award……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….966.99 Merrill Jones Composition Contest…………………………………………………………………………………………..2,000.00 Distinguished Service Award……………………………………………………………………………………………………….316.15 Wright Legacy Award……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….966.99 William P. Foster Project Awards………………………………………………………………………………………………1,768.50 Distinguished Service Award……………………………………………………………………………………………………….316.15 William D. Revelli Composition Contest...…….………………………………………………….…………………….…5,000.00 William P. Foster Project Total Programs / Contests Awards………………………………………………………………………………………………1,768.50 / Awards…………………………………………………………………………….…….$11,644.97 William D. Revelli Composition Contest...…….………………………………………………….…………………….…5,000.00 Projects/Grants TotalProject Programs / Contests / Awards…………………………………………………………………………….…….$11,644.97 IDEA - Iowa…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…501.84 Projects/Grants Grants-Booth……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1,880.00 IDEA Project - Iowa…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…501.84 Grants-Research…….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………945.99 Grants-Booth……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1,880.00 Grants-Projects/Symposiums……………………………………………………………………………………………..….22,942.77 Grants-Research…….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………945.99 Total Projects……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……. $26,270.60 Grants-Projects/Symposiums……………………………………………………………………………………………..….22,942.77 NBA Journals…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...$29,232.40 Total Projects……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……. $26,270.60 The Instrumentalist………………………………………………………………………………………………………….$16,599.00 NBA Journals…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...$29,232.40 The Midwest Clinic……………………………………………………………………………………………………………$20,115.29 The Instrumentalist………………………………………………………………………………………………………….$16,599.00 CBDNA/NBA Regional Conferences………………………………………………………………………………….…$2,500.00 The Midwest Clinic……………………………………………………………………………………………………………$20,115.29 Advertising / CBDNA/NBAMarketing………………………………………………………………….………………………………….$2,354.83 Regional Conferences………………………………………………………………………………….…$2,500.00 Total Expenditures………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…….$116,243.24 Advertising / Marketing………………………………………………………………….………………………………….$2,354.83 Total Expenditures………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…….$116,243.24 Net Revenue……………….………………………………………………………………………………………..……….….$ -12,430.42 Net Revenue……………….………………………………………………………………………………………..……….….$ -12,430.42

Chase 11/30/2022…………………….$63,667.56 Chase 11/30/2022…………………….$63,667.56

Chase 11/30/2023…………………….$51,237.14 Chase 11/30/2023…………………….$51,237.14

NBA JOURNAL

2023 NBA Membership Report

NBA NEWS

(one day snapshot – as of 12-16-23)

Eastern Division 2018 2019 CT 6 7 DE 5 6 MA 14 19 MD 32 31 ME 1 1 NH 13 11 NJ 19 19 NY 41 58 PA 69 70 RI 8 9 VT 0 0 Div. Total 208 232

2020 11 5 17 34 2 11 24 57 78 18 1 258

2021 10 6 23 33 2 11 24 88 93 23 1 314

2022 10 4 23 32 3 11 26 67 92 31 1 300

2023 12 3 20 30 3 10 30 59 81 26 2 276

North Central Division 2018 2019 IA 25 31 IL 231 244 IN 45 43 MI 20 22 MN 28 26 ND 60 63 NE 16 17 OH 31 37 SD 10 11 WI 141 162 Div. Total 607 656

2020 40 206 47 25 42 60 16 48 11 161 656

2021 34 249 53 27 51 68 18 73 13 154 740

2022 40 221 52 27 65 72 21 92 11 141 742

2023 38 225 52 31 57 79 21 116 11 110 740

Northwestern Division 2018 2019 AK 4 2 ID 5 5 MT 3 4 OR 26 13 WA 29 24 WY 0 1 Div. Total 67 49

2020 2 7 3 20 27 1 60

2021 1 6 3 26 24 3 63

2022 2 5 3 29 20 4 63

2023 4 9 3 20 22 4 62

Southern Division 2018 2019 AL 75 106 FL 65 69 GA 129 127 KY 33 37 LA 14 14 MS 28 33 NC 34 49 SC 32 31 TN 30 33 VA 58 69 WV 12 18 Div. Total 512 588

2020 101 76 132 34 16 50 75 48 36 59 22 651

2021 93 80 126 45 18 66 96 57 46 58 23 711

2022 95 90 146 63 21 72 100 67 52 67 23 796

2023 83 92 156 64 19 82 111 69 58 72 24 830

WINT ER 2024

Southwestern Division 2018 2019 AR 16 14 CO 32 28 KS 14 16 MO 14 14 NM 16 13 OK 6 5 TX 72 110 Div. Total. 170 200

2020 20 29 21 16 18 7 162 273

2021 18 30 20 17 14 7 163 269

2022 17 26 22 23 15 8 160 271

2023 16 30 21 26 15 7 137 252

Western Division 2018 2019 AZ 15 17 CA 60 48 HI 10 12 NV 14 6 UT 91 107 Div. Total 190 190

2020 17 52 11 20 113 213

2021 17 48 12 21 123 221

2022 17 50 10 20 153 250

2023 19 53 10 19 159 260

International Division 2018 Australia 1 Belgium 0 Canada 4 Colombia 0 Denmark 0 France 0 Japan 2 Netherlands 1 Norway 2 Singapore 0 United Kingdom 1 Overseas Mil. 1 Div. Total 16

2019 1 1 4 0 0 0 2 1 4 0 1 1 17

2020 5 0 3 1 0 0 2 2 2 0 2 2 19

2021 5 1 3 1 0 0 2 1 2 0 1 3 19

2022 3 1 3 0 0 0 2 1 2 0 1 0 13

2023 3 1 3 0 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 0 16

YEAR NBA Totals

2018 1770

2019 1932

2020 2130

2021 2337

2022 2435

2023 2459

Breakdown 2021 Individual 1321 Institutional 20 Corporate 10 Retired 132 Student 780 Life 61 Past Presidents 13 Total 2337

2022 1410 20 13 147 771 61 13 2435

2023 1408 23 11 156 787 61 13 2459

Top Ten States 2022 2023 IL 221 IL 225 TX 160 UT 159 UT 153 GA 156 GA 146 TX 137 WI 141 OH 116 NC 100 NC 111 AL 95 WI 110 PA 92 FL 92 OH 92 AL 83 FL 90 MS 82 45

PEDAGOGY

FOUR ACCESSIBLE SOUSA MARCHES

BY CRAIG AARHUS

ver the past several

marches for bands to perform.

years, the United States Marine

Adaptations of Sousa’s marches

Band has produced

have been available for many years

new and updated

from a variety of composers and

editions of many of John Philip

arrangers. However, this project

Sousa’s marches. According to their

has made original versions of these

website, the program was initiated

marches available, and some of them

by Col. Jason Fettig and is the first

are playable by maturing bands.

comprehensive collection of Sousa's

The following is a brief overview of

marches produced by "The President's

four Marine Band editions of Sousa

Own" since the 1970s.1

marches that are approximately grade 3 to 3.5 in difficulty.

Additionally, “The seven volumes span Sousa's entire march-writing

HOMEWARD BOUND

Dr. Craig Aarhus is Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Mississippi State University. At MSU, he co-directs the Famous Maroon Band and basketball pep bands, conducts Wind Ensemble "B," the Concert Band, and Campus Band, and teaches Conducting and Brass Techniques in the Department of Music. He

career, from 1873-1932, and offer free

Homeward Bound was discovered

resources for 129 marches. Modern

in the 1960s and was likely composed

recordings, historical information

in either 1891 or 1892.3 Its form is

member of the band faculty, Dr. Aarhus has

(courtesy of Paul E. Bierley, author

similar to many of Sousa’s marches:

been part of a team that has helped lead the

of The Works of John Philip Sousa),

introduction, first strain, second train,

band program to unprecedented growth,

as well as full-band scores and sheet

trio, break strain, final strain. It starts

making it currently one of the largest bands

music for marches that are in the

in the key of Eb major and changes to

in the Southeast. Prior to his appointment

public domain, are all available for

Ab major at the trio, as many marches

at MSU, Dr. Aarhus was a successful high

public use as a result of this multi-year

do.

project. The volumes are available for free download exclusively on the Marine Band website.” 2

Rhythmically, the march is very accessible, but the last strain presents a challenge with sixteenth

This is a fantastic project for the

note technical passages in the flute/

band community, as it provides clean,

piccolo part that younger players

full sized, edited versions of Sousa’s

might find difficult to play at first.

also currently serves as the area coordinator for Music Education in the department. As a

school and middle band director in the public schools of Alabama. A graduate of Auburn University and the University of Iowa, Dr. Aarhus is currently serving on the NBA Board of Directors as an At Large Member. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the country, and in 2022, he was selected as the “Outstanding Bandmaster” in Mississippi by

marineband.marines.mil/audio-resources/the-completemarches-of-john-philip-sousa/ 2

Ibid.

marineband.marines.mil/Audio-Resources/The-CompleteMarches-of-John-Philip-Sousa/Homeward-Bound-March

the Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PEDAGOGY Four Accessible Sousa Marches, Craig Aarhus, cont. Fortunately, these passages are largely

Eb cornet are the main ones). There

octave in their written parts. Brass

diatonic, allowing students to develop

are three Bb clarinet parts, and

ranges are manageable, and technique

technique in the key of Ab major as

the first part (labeled solo part) is

is as expected for this grade level.

they learn the march. Woodwind and

written largely in the upper clarion

Although the instrumentation is

brass ranges are mostly as expected

and altissimo registers. However,

somewhat extended (two bassoon

for this level piece, with the first

the second clarinet part mirrors the

parts, Eb cornet part, four cornet

clarinet part briefly reaching to E

first one octave lower in most parts

parts), this piece is also playable by

above the staff. Two unique features

of the piece. As a result, it would be

bands with standard concert band

of this march are that the first horn

acceptable to perform this with two

instrumentation.

part has the melody in the trio section

Bb clarinet parts if the first part is

(along with other instruments), and

too demanding. There are also four

There are some technical

there is no “stinger” on the end.

cornet parts: solo, first, second, third,

challenges in the second strain

Homeward Bound is approximately

with the solo part acting as the first

that involve the flute/piccolo and

2:30 long.

part might function in other band

first clarinet playing arpeggiated

pieces.

sixteenth note figures, but the passage

NATIONAL FENCIBLES

is diatonic and would allow those

National Fencibles was written in 1888,

The form of this march is standard

students to develop technique in the

and according to Sousa biographer

march form: Introduction, first strain,

key of Ab major. The form is different

Paul Bierley,

second strain trio (key change to Eb),

from a standard Sousa march:

break strain, and final strain. The

introduction, first strain, second

technical aspects are as expected for

strain, and a trio that segues into a

music written at this grade level, and

forte section that ends this short piece

the ranges for instruments other than

without a traditional “stinger” on the

the first clarinet make this march

end.

“The National Fencibles of this march’s title were a popular drill team in Washington, D.C. The words to the trio of the march reflect their esprit de corps:"

very playable by most intermediate

"Forward to the battle, the

ensembles.

trumpet is sounding;

RESUMPTION Resumption was composed in 1879

‘Come if you dare!’ We loudly sing.

THE QUILTING PARTY

and provides younger students the

Shoulder to shoulder, with hearts

The Quilting Party march was written

opportunity to experience playing a

rebounding;

in 1889 is one of Sousa’s shorter

quality Sousa march in 6/8 time.6 The

Onward we march with the

marches, right at 1:30 in length.5

full instrumentation in the Marine

Fencibles’ swing.”

The two key areas of this march are

Band edition is slightly different than

Ab major and Db major, and it is

most standard concert band marches

This march is written in 2/4 time

written in cut time. The high range

today, but it is still very playable, even

and is set in the keys of Bb major and

of the first clarinet part may present

for bands that don’t have Eb clarinets

Eb major. The instrumentation is

a challenge for younger players, but

or Eb cornets (which is likely most

standard with some more infrequent

it can be adjusted down an octave

bands). Other variations in standard

instruments being listed as “optional”

as needed, allowing other upper

instrumentation include two clarinet

(alto clarinet, baritone saxophone,

woodwind parts to cover that higher

parts instead of three, a solo cornet

Bierley, Paul E. The Works of John Philip Sousa. Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1984.

WINT ER 2024

marineband.marines.mil/Audio-Resources/The-CompleteMarches-of-John-Philip-Sousa/The-Quilting-Party-March/

marineband.marines.mil/Audio-Resources/The-CompleteMarches-of-John-Philip-Sousa/Resumption-March/

Continued on next page

PEDAGOGY Four Accessible Sousa Marches, Craig Aarhus, cont. and four additional cornet parts, and a bass trombone part that functions more like a third trombone part that supports the bass line. Woodwind and brass ranges are practical, with the first clarinet part in the introduction being a slight exception by extending briefly into the altissimo register. This part could easily be taken down one octave as needed and not affect the performance of the piece negatively. The form of this march is slightly different than a standard Sousa march: introduction, first strain, second strain, trio, last strain, followed by a da capo that concludes at the end of the second strain. Resumption is approximately 3:00 long. CONCLUSION Marches are an important part of the concert band’s heritage, and it is important for any student musician to learn to play good “march style.” These four marches by John Philip Sousa will give your students the opportunity to enjoy music written by the march king at a level that is very reasonable for many ensembles. The United States Marine Band has done the band world a great service by making these marches available for performance.

NBA JOURNAL

PEDAGOGY

THE ONE-PERSON SHOW: TEACHING THE HETEROGENEOUS BEGINNING BAND

GARY BARTON

hough heterogeneous

constantly advocate for help and I

beginning band means

totally agree, but what to do before

that all instruments

that happens?

are being taught simultaneously in one

room, the scenario may not be the

EMBRACE WHAT YOU HAVE If you really think your situation

same from school to school. Some

is impossible and you teach with

schools have mixed instrument

that mindset, then you have defeated

classes but more than one teacher

yourself before you start. Consider

may be assigned. I have seen classes

what is good. If you have a schedule

with just one teacher, but other

that allows plenty of time to teach

directors may come in periodically

and there aren’t built-in obstacles

or contract teachers may be utilized.

to recruiting, there is your starting

Master of Science in Education from Indiana

If the teacher gets help, no matter

point. If you don’t have these in place,

University. A Past President of the Arkansas

how little, the situation is different

then you must confront this problem

School Band and Orchestra Association and

from the truly one-teacher class, the

before you can build numbers in your

Past 2nd Vice-President of the National Band

class where students have never met

program, as increased enrollment

Association, he has written for numerous

another director.

is the only way administrators will

publications

consider hiring more staff. While you Disclaimer: While I believe that the

are growing your student numbers,

Gary Barton retired from the La Porte, Texas Independent School District after thirty-seven years of teaching in five states. He received the Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Louisiana-Monroe and the

and

has

done

clinics

presentations in sixteen states. He may be reached at bartonglp@gmail.com.

like-instrument class is the best way

there are ways to teach the mixed-

to teach, this is not always possible

instrument class effectively.

to pick the instrument up and how

started by one teacher working alone.

THE BIGGEST WORRY: GETTING

all are anxious to get started. I have a

If there is only one director and the

STARTED

and some of the best programs are

closest people who can help are great

As I read posts in groups on social

distances away, even good budget

media, I most often see concerns

resources may be of little help. A

about keeping all students engaged

school district with one band director

while getting everyone started on their

is common in some parts of every

instruments. Assembly, maintenance,

state. Some would say that you must

accessories, hand position, even how

WINT ER 2024

and

to lay it down can be daunting when simple solution: all students must be engaged in every part of the class. Students in the most effective band rehearsals are aware of every part of the process. They are learning how all parts work together, how Continued on next page

PEDAGOGY The One Person Show, Gary Barton, cont. their parts support and balance other

that the more the students understand

notes much easier. Explain the

instruments. I tell the students that

all the instruments the more they will

black and white keys, how they

we are like a team. Every player on a

be engaged in the class.

work with each other. It will

baseball team must understand the

be so much easier on that day

role of the pitcher, the shortstop, the

THEY ALL HAVE THEIR

when you introduce F#

catcher. Every football player must

INSTRUMENTS READY! NOW WHAT?

after they have been playing

know the job of the quarterback. I

Begin teaching proper hand

F for months. Use the term

compare us to a play. Actors must

position and posture. You must insist

“enharmonic” daily. A little

know the lines of other actors in order

that every student is paying attention.

keyboard drill for two minutes

to know when to say their own lines.

Teach small pieces of information

each day will eliminate many

The best place to begin this standard

and repeat until mastery is near.

questions.

is the beginning class. Develop the

Teach left hand placement on the

culture that it is “beginning BAND”,

woodwinds, brass hand position.

instead of “beginning flute” or

Model and repeat these until all

much as possible. If you are

“beginning trumpet”.

fingers are where they should be on

uncomfortable on an

all instruments. Teach embouchure

instrument, model that one

At the very beginning, students

and those first sounds the same way

often. By the end of the year

are excited about all the instruments,

you would in a like-instrument class,

you will play it as well as your

not just the one they are going to play.

the difference being that you must use

students. Move around the

Instead of trying to find something

smaller information bites, keep the

room. Beginning band doesn’t

to keep the other students busy while

energy high, and move quickly from

need a podium.

you are working with one instrument

instrument to instrument. Repetition

group, engage every student with that

and review are imperative, and small

4. Rhythm is a concrete. It doesn’t

instrument. Start with the clarinet as

bites of information and exercises

change from instrument to

it is the most complicated assembly.

are more easily drilled than large,

instrument. Drill your rhythm

If possible, provide every student

lengthy concepts. Once everyone is

vocabulary daily using your

with a clarinet. The clarinet players

playing a tone on their instrument,

board at the front of the room,

can use their own instrument while

the following are some things I found

rhythm charts, and the musical

others use school inventory. This is

that really work:

exercises in your book. Use the

a great way to use old unrepairable instruments that may be around your

same vocabulary that your high 1. Play long tones, four beats of

school directors will be using

district. All students learn how to

sound and four beats of silence,

apply cork grease, assembly, even how

every day. You may not be able

to properly set up the mouthpiece and

to start on the ideal note for

reed and how to swab and store the

each instrument, but long tones

early as you like. If the class

instrument. The reeds are not going to

are a must. Concert D and

meets every day, concert F, Bb,

be played, so just save a bunch of old

concert F work well at the

Eb, and Ab, at least one octave,

reeds for practice assembly. Continue

beginning.

are possible as a minimum in

this with all the instruments while

3. Model each instrument as

This is not an option. 5. Scales can be introduced as

a mixed setting. The maximum

pointing out any similarities from

2. Knowledge of the keyboard will

is up to you. Next to good tone,

instrument to instrument. You’ll find

make introducing flat and sharp

scales are the greatest gift you Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PEDAGOGY The One Person Show, Gary Barton, cont. can give your beginners. 6. If you are using a class band

7. There is no magic band book. If

percussion can be developed.

you have learned a book,

Emphasize the total percussion

learned what exercises

concept.

method book, start at the very

strengthen your students,

beginning each day for the

simply live with that book. I

first weeks. On Fridays for the

knew a gentleman who used

happen in the mixed setting. The

first semester, I always started

the same band method book for

many woodwind fingerings may

at the beginning of the book and

forty-two years. His middle

be difficult and comprehensive

reviewed what we had learned

school band played at the

percussion skills may be lacking

so far. The kids love doing this

Midwest Clinic three times.

a bit, but good tone and rhythmic

and realizing their progress. I was fortunate to have several

Accept that some things may not

stability should not suffer at all. Those 8. A separate percussion class

two things alone would make many

sets of different band methods.

is needed, but that may not be

high school band directors happy.

After Christmas, I would

possible. If percussion is

Long tones and short bites of vital

use one on Fridays. Having the

included, the keyboard

information and repetition will bring

students use a different book,

percussion must be the

your heterogeneous class a long way.

starting from the beginning,

emphasis. If good keyboard

fills in gaps and is great sight

skills are in place, battery

reading practice.

WINT ER 2024

PEDAGOGY

WIND BAND INSTRUMENTATION AND NOMENCLATURE: WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING? TREVOR FROST A Brief History

their catalog obsolete).3 Although

The question “What is the ideal

adjustments were made in the coming

standard band instrumentation we

years, there were still objections being

should be using” has been a topic of

made until the Great Depression when

conversation since the mid-1920s.

the band contests were forced to stop

The Music Supervisors National

due to financial hardships.

Trevor Frost is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Nebraska-

Conference1 appointed a committee that developed band contests starting in 1924, and by 1927 the committee

Directors National Association

agreed upon a standard 68-piece

(CBDNA) would appoint a committee

concert band.2 This instrumentation

on band instrumentation “for

list was met with opposition from

the careful study thereof”4 in

school band directors (who believed

1956.5 Members of the committee

the inclusion of alto and bass clarinets

reported its activities, conclusions,

would not allow these players to

and recommendations back to the

find professional employment),

CBDNA membership. After meeting

administrators (who believed

with composers and comparing

the committee was promoting

instrumentation lists provided by

instrument sales to fund the contests),

music publishers from Europe and

instrument manufacturers (who

the United States, the committee

believed the committee was limiting

settled on an “ideal balanced band” of

the most profitable instruments,

seventy-two instruments, which was

i.e., saxophones), and music

constructed to act as a “pattern” for

publishers (who believed that the

future reference and discussion.6 The

instrumentation list could render

committee was dissolved in 1962 after

Now the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME). The name was adopted in 2011. It was previously the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) from 1934–1998.

Joseph Maddy, “The Battle of Band Instrumentation,” Music Educators Journal 44, no. 1 (Sep. – Oct., 1957): 30, https://www.jstor.org/stable/3388785.

Lincoln, where he is working toward a

It wasn’t until the College Band

Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting with a related area in Composition. He received his Master of Arts in Music: Music Conducting degree from the University of New Hampshire in 2021, and his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire in 2016.

completing its appointed task. Ten years earlier in 1952 Fredrick Fennell developed the Eastman Wind Ensemble. Fennell’s wind ensemble gave the instrumentation decisions back to the composer, making the ensemble more flexible rather than having a set instrumentation that

Ibid., 32.

The members of the committee were William D. Revelli, University of Michigan (Chairman); Mark H. Hindsley, University of Illinois; L. Bruce Jones, Louisiana State University; Hugh McMillen, University of Colorado; William Schaefer, University of California at Los Angeles; and Robert Vagner, University of Oregon.

Richard Lasko, “The CBDNA: A Study of Band Instrumentation,” Contributions to Music Education Autumn, 1972, no. 1 (Autumn 1972): 51, https://www. jstor.org/stable/24127366

Ibid., 52.

Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PEDAGOGY Wind Band Instrumentation and Nomenclature ..., Trevor Frost, cont. was being advocated by CBDNA.

meaning that each one carries, if any.

Symphony, in Portland, Maine, has 89

The instrumentation can be found

It is commonly known that “wind

performers.13 Are these groups named

in Frank Battisti’s The Winds of

ensemble” signifies one or two players

appropriately? Are “wind symphony”

Change. The change in nomenclature

on a part and its ability to deviate

and “concert band” interchangeable?

from band to wind is an important

when a particular score requires

distinction. Fennell viewed the word

more or fewer instruments. A wind

These three titles, the “wind

“band” as a group that should be “able

ensemble is generally smaller, about

ensemble,” the “wind symphony

to march and perform in the open air

35–45 performers . It is also known

orchestra,” and the “symphonic band,”

in the tradition of that band” such as a

that “symphonic band” signifies a

have clear meanings. The other titles

military band.

larger group and is less flexible than

are flexible in their meaning and boil

the wind ensemble due to the large

down to the conductor’s interpretation

in 1957 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

number of performers. One of the

of those titles and what they want to

was the American Wind Symphony

first examples of a symphonic band

present to the audience.

Orchestra led by Robert Boudreau.

was in 1948 with A. A. Harding at

Using a specially designed barge for a

the University of Illinois utilizing

stage, the American Wind Symphony

137 performers (although Richard

Orchestra traveled up and down

K. Hansen uses the term “symphony

sickness, chaos, and concern to

eastern and mid-American waterways

band” in his book).

the world. Businesses shut down

Another group that would emerge

such as the Ohio and Mississippi

THE FLEX BAND The COVID-19 pandemic brought

and students were sent home from Using Boudreau as a model, the

school to stay safe. This brought

instrumentation on a double orchestra

“wind symphony orchestra” is thought

a new problem to instrumental

wind section plus percussion.

of as taking a double orchestra

programs across the world as

Saxophones and euphoniums were

wind section plus percussion, with

conductors grappled with how they

not utilized.

no saxophones or euphoniums,

were going to rehearse. Although

resulting in a group of about 55

flex band music had existed since

performers. However, not many

the early 2000s, pioneered by Hal

Bandmasters and conductors of

groups use this title instead using

Leonard, the pandemic restrictions

all levels of instrumental music have

the title “wind symphony.” But with

forced conductors of all levels to

used different titles — concert band,

the word orchestra being eliminated,

pivot to flex arrangements.14 The

symphonic band, wind band, wind

does that mean that saxophones

Creative Repertoire Initiative

ensemble, wind symphony, wind

and euphoniums are automatically

(CRI)15 was established in the spring

symphony orchestra, symphonic

allowed to participate? Does the

of 2020 to create a repertoire for

winds, symphony band, etc. — to

size of the group stay the same?

attribute their groups over many years

The Nebraska Wind Symphony,

of instrumental music. However,

or Omaha’s Community Concert

the reckless use of these titles has

Band, in Omaha, Nebraska, has 79

created confusion in the actual

performers.12 The Casco Bay Wind

Rivers. Boudreau based the 9

NOMENCLATURE

Ibid., 56.

Frederick Fennell, Time and the Winds: A Short History of the Use of Wind Instruments in the Orchestra, Band and the Wind Ensemble (Huntersville, NC: NorthLand Music Publishers, 2009), 57.

Ibid., 60.

WINT ER 2024

“Nebraska Wind Symphony,” Performing Members, Nebraska Wind Symphony, accessed February 6, 2023, https://nebraskawindsymphony.com/about/performingmembers/.

Frank Battisti, The Winds of Change: The Evolution of the Contemporary American Wind Band/Ensemble and its Conductor (Delray Beach, FL: Meredith Music, 2002), 54.

Richard K. Hansen, The American Wind Band: A Cultural History (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2005), 98.

“Casco Bay Wind Symphony,” Casco Bay Wind Symphony Membership 2017-2018, Casco Bay Wind Symphony, 2017, https://www.cascobaywindsymphony.org/members-only.

Adam Friedrich, “Flexible Music: A History of and Its Application for the Wind Band Medium Through an Overview of Two Flexible Works,” (master’s thesis, Ball State University, May 2021), 2.

Continued on next page

PEDAGOGY Wind Band Instrumentation and Nomenclature ..., Trevor Frost, cont. all ensembles and ability levels

it has its own unique color and was

regardless of instrumentation.

written in the score. Other works

These arrangements allowed school

may contain instruments that are

band programs to resume rehearsals

labeled optional and follow the same

prevent us from discussing actual

and concerts with limited numbers

thinking. The conductor must make

issues facing the medium, for example

and flexible instrumentation as

tough decisions regarding what to

the decline of audience membership

they struggled to recover from the

include, what to exclude, and what

in wind band performances. All of

pandemic, but it came with a cost.

they view as important to the success

this comes down to the work ethic

Although these arrangements allowed

of the work. This comes down to

of the conductor and what they

for band programs to continue to

the work ethic of the conductor. If

find important while respecting the

function, the color variety found

your group does not have a baritone

composer’s intention. As conductors

in the original works were greatly

saxophone player and a score calls

we judge ourselves and others too

limited.

for one, as it is independent from the

harshly for what they do and do not

other parts, wouldn’t it be in the best

do. We should instead be observing

interest to find someone to cover that

with a sympathetic, non-judgemental

Wind band instrumentation today is

part? If you’re conducting a work that

mind. The wind band is unique

largely determined by the composers

contains harp, even if it’s doubled in

because we are able to be unique.

themselves, which we can thank

other parts, wouldn’t you want to find

There is beauty in being different.

Fennell for. There does not seem to

a harpist to cover that unique color,

Embrace it.

be a standard instrumentation in

even if you have to rely on a pianist

2023, even after years of discussions,

using a synthesizer?

INSTRUMENTATION TODAY

them mean similar things? All of these questions are futile and

and with that I welcome it. We would only be limiting composers and conductors. A conductor’s

FINAL THOUGHTS After years of discussion, studies,

instrumentation of their group is

committees, and meetings trying

dependent on the score itself and what

to establish a standard wind band

they see as important while respecting

instrumentation we have nothing

the composer’s intention.

to show for it. We have suggestions

Many wind band works from

of what was but in 2023 there is no

the mid-20th century contain alto

standard, and that is wonderful

clarinets as one example, but are

to hear. Why should we limit a

usually doubled in other places and

composer’s coloristic creativity by

have become rare in grade school

telling them what instruments to

bands. A conductor may choose to

use or not to use, and how many

not have this instrument for that

of each? Why assign numbers to

reason. Other conductors may

an instrumentation that excludes

choose to include the instrument as

performers if you have a maximum limit, or not have a band at all if you

Founded by Frank Ticheli and Robert Ambrose, they were joined by composers Omar Thomas, Brian Balmages, John Mackey, Pete Meechan, Alex Shapiro, Eric Whitacre, Steven Bryant, Michael Daugherty, Julie Giroux, and Jennifer Jolley.

do not meet the minimum number? Why do we care so much about the title of a group where the majority of

Friedrich, 3.

NBA JOURNAL

PEER REVIEWED

FACTORS INFLUENCING SECONDARY BAND DIRECTORS’ SENSE OF SELF-EFFICACY:

SCHOOL TASKS COUPLED WITH STUDENT AND FAMILIAL MOTIVATION BY TIGER ROBISON & JOSEPH CARVER

T ABSTRACT

he purpose of this study is to examine factors that may influence Secondary Band Directors’

(SBDs) sense of self-efficacy. Survey participants (N = 497) who were members of one of three secondary band director Facebook groups completed a questionnaire designed to elicit responses about their senses of self-efficacy and demographic information. Participants rated their influence on items using a scale with “nothing” to “a great deal” as the lowest and highest ratings respectively. The highest rated items were those about having students follow classroom rules and providing alternative explanations when students are confused, while the lowest rated items were about

WINT ER 2024

assisting families in helping their children do well in school, and controlling disruptive behavior in the classroom. A two-factor analysis accounted for 52.62% of the variance in which Factor 1 was related to school tasks and Factor 2 was related

Tiger Robison, Ph.D., is associate professor of music education at the University of Wyoming where he specializes in elementary and popular music pedagogies. He has diverse interests related to gender, music teacher career paths and self-efficacy, and modern music-making with prisoners. Dr. Robison’s research is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Journal of Band Research,

to student and familial motivation.

and International Journal of Music in Early

SBDs who taught in high schools and

Childhood among other venues. He serves on

public schools had more favorable

the editorial boards of the Journal of General

experiences than other colleagues

Music Education and Journal of Popular Music

regarding school tasks (Factor 1).

Education.

SBDs who participated in mentoring programs as new teachers and who taught in urban schools had more favorable experiences regarding student and familial motivation (Factor 2). Implications for practice and future research are discussed. Keywords: band; band directors; classroom management; secondary band; self-efficacy

FACTORS INFLUENCING SECONDARY BAND DIRECTORS’ SENSE OF SELFEFFICACY: SCHOOL TASKS COUPLED WITH STUDENT AND FAMILIAL MOTIVATION Self-efficacy is one’s belief in their abilities to complete a task (Bandura, 1977; Travis et al., 2020); or is sometimes described as the ability to which one believes they can manage a situation (Re et al., 2017). Especially Continued on next page

PEER REVIEWED ... Secondary Band Director's Self Efficacy ..., Tiger Robison & Joseph Carver, cont. since Bandura’s (1977) seminal

ability to manage positive self-efficacy

theory and later coining the term,

beliefs in students about practice and

researchers have been investigating

motivation (Hendricks, 2016), which

self-efficacy in a wide range of fields.

allows students to be resilient in

In education, investigators often

their development despite setbacks.

acknowledge the interplay among

In turn, students can then face their

self-efficacy, personality, the multi-

perceived limitations through self-

faceted tasks teachers face daily, and

evaluation, time management, and

the varied environments where these

other strategies (Miksza, 2015). Low

tasks occur (Holzberger, et al., 2013;

self-efficacy is correlated with less

Klassen & Tze, 2014). Researchers

favorable outcomes in each of these

have found that teachers’ lower self-

constructs for students. For example,

efficacy may negatively affect their

low self-efficacy can lead to a sense of

job satisfaction (Klassen & Chiu,

low morale and lower motivation for

2017), and arguably most importantly,

a variety of musical tasks (Schmidt et

students’ academic achievement

al., 2006; Sichivitsa, 2007). Similarly,

(e.g., Gulistan et al., 2017; Shoulders

practice can seem frustrating and give

& Krei, 2015). Perhaps because of

way to a sense of hopelessness among

Joseph Carver, Ph.D., is Associate Director of

these implications, development of

students with prolonged low senses of

Bands and Director of the Western Thunder

self-efficacy scales for teachers have

self-efficacy (Clark, 2013; Oare, 2012).

Marching Band at the University of Wyoming.

Secondary Band Directors (SBD),

Athletic bands, he conducts the Symphonic

become research interests in their own right (see Dellinger, et al., 2008; Tschannen-Moran & Hoy, 2001).

band directors who teach middle school and high school students,

Self-efficacy in music education, for

oversee teaching situations in which

both students and teachers, has been a

all of these constructs are present,

canonized research topic for decades

and a relatively detailed profile of

(McCormick & McPherson, 2003,

these teachers is apparent upon

2006; Neilson, 2004) and a persistent

examination of extant literature.

presence in the practitioner literature

SBDs, especially when they also

(Bucura, 2019; Robison, 2018, 2019).

serve as marching band directors,

Given music education’s multifaceted

can feel overworked and unsatisfied

nature, self-efficacy in this field

with being able to balance work

is often coupled with motivation,

and family responsibilities (Scheib,

practice, attribution theory in

2004). Their work responsibilities

particular (Legette, 2012: Martin, 2012;

include conducting and managing

Rosevear, 2010), and performance

rehearsals and performances

settings (Royo, 2014) among other

(often during non-school hours), in

combinations (Hendricks, 2016;

addition to overseeing budgets, and

Zelenak, 2015). Researchers have

tending to an instrument inventory

found that music educators have the

(Juchniewicz et al., 2014; Miksza et

In addition to directing the Marching and Band and teaches undergraduate classes in music education. Dr. Carver earned his Ph.D. in music education from The Ohio State University and an M.M. and B.M. in music education from Ohio University.

al., 2010; Millican, 2009). Female band directors, who comprise the minority of band directors, have reported gendered issues including microaggressions (Shouldice, 2022), discrimination in festival ratings, (Shouldice & Woolnough, 2022), and isolation (Bovin, 2019, 2020), among other struggles, which can start as preservice students (Fischer-Croneis, 2016). While there is ample research Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PEER REVIEWED ... Secondary Band Director's Self Efficacy ..., Tiger Robison & Joseph Carver, cont. concerning self-efficacy and

directors (SBDs). Based on previous

consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s α = .67

secondary band students (e.g., Hewitt,

research (Carver et al., 2022;

– .88). The TSES (available at https://

2015), and teaching skills among

Robison & Russell, 2022) we wished

cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/

SBDs (see Miksza et al., 2010), there

to identify characteristics of SBDs

dist/2/5604/files/2018/04/TSES-scoring-

is a relatively limited amount of

with particularly high or low self-

zted8m-1s63pv8.pdf ) is a reliable scale

literature available about SBDs senses

efficacy and uncover any statistically

cited more than 9,800 times in extant

of self-efficacy in particular. However,

significant relationships among these

literature. The majority of items

Regier (2019) found secondary band

levels and their demographic data.

employed Likert-type scales, while

directors’ senses of self-efficacy to be

More specifically, we sought to answer

many of the demographic and past

significantly higher for concert band

four research questions:

experience items were open ended or

teaching when compared to their

1. What are the demographic data

ipsative. We circulated our instrument

marching or jazz band duties. Most

for in-service secondary band

to two experienced researchers who

(70%) directors reported teaching

directors?

have published survey designs in

jazz band at one time in their careers,

2. What are participants’

top-tier music education research

but only 27.5% took a jazz methods

reported levels of effectiveness

publications. After feedback and

course. Furthermore, the average

in specific areas of teaching

changes to the instrument, we piloted

male respondent’s self-efficacy about

such as classroom management

the survey on 15 music educators who

jazz was also 20 points higher than

and assessment?

were not participants and altered

female respondents. Most recently,

3. What are the underlying

Regier (2021) examined sources of

structures (dimensionality) of

self-efficacy in combination with

secondary band directors’

concert band directors’ teaching

senses of self-efficacy?

strategies and skills. Directors’ self-

4. What relationship do

wording of two items based on their feedback. Procedures We surveyed in-service music

efficacy for teaching strategies were

demographic factors and self

educators who identified their

affected most by mastery experiences,

reported feelings of

primary role as being a SBD in one

then verbal persuasions (people

effectiveness have to reported

of three private groups on a popular

speaking to them with the intent of

self-efficacy.

social media platform. We posted a

affecting their behavior). Late-career

link to our questionnaire three times

band directors had significantly

METHOD

in each group and offered a drawing

higher senses of self-efficacy

Instrument

for a $100 gift card to a popular online

compared to early-career directors

The current iteration of the Music

retailer for their participation. At

regarding teaching strategies, which

Educators Self-Efficacy Questionnaire

the end of the survey process, we

adds credence to the importance of

(MESEQ) is a researcher created

had received completed and usable

mastery experiences early in SBDs’

instrument based on the short form

questionnaires from 497 SBDs in the

careers because of their lasting

of the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale

United States (5% response rate, 6.8%

impact.

(TSES) (Tschannen-Moran & Hoy,

margin of error at 95% confidence,

2001) and the demographic items of

see Moore & McCabe, 1999, p. 443).

Robison & Russell’s instrument (Robison

Despite the relatively poor response

The purpose of this study was to

& Russell, 2021, 2022). In each of

rate, the small margin of error given

examine factors that may influence

these studies, the authors found

the population and sample sizes

the self-efficacy of secondary band

that the subscales had high internal

as well as the similarities between

PURPOSE OF THE PRESENT STUDY

WINT ER 2024

Continued on next page

PEER REVIEWED ... Secondary Band Director's Self Efficacy ..., Tiger Robison & Joseph Carver, cont. participants’ demographics (Borg &

Most participants (45.9%) teach in

However, 8.9% of participants

Tuten, 2016) in this study and similar

public schools, yet 32.4% reported

reported having “very little” ability

populations in other studies, gave us

teaching in private schools and 14.9%

to provide such explanations or

the confidence to move forward with

reported teaching in charter schools.

examples.

our analyses. Additionally, Fowler

Participants were almost evenly split

(2013) claimed that response rate and

between suburban (38.4%) and urban

The next two highest rated items

error are not significant problems in

(39.0%) schools, with 18.1% describing

were about getting students to believe

purposive samples.

a rural setting. It is important to note

they can do well in their school

that not all percentages sum to 100

work and helping students value

RESULTS

because some participants chose not

learning. In the former, only 7.6%

Descriptive Statistics

to answer questions (e.g., about race)

of participants reported “very little”

or chose options that only registered

ability, while 30.6% reported “some

and their opinions about self-efficacy

very small percentages (e.g., the

influence,” 47.3% reported “quite a

is observable from the descriptive

“parochial” option instead of “public”

bit,” and 13.3% reported “a great deal.”

statistics in this study, although it

or “private”).

Participants reported nearly identical

A national, detailed profile of SBDs

is notable that this sample is more

abilities for the latter question about

racially diverse and more evenly

A summary of SBDs’ opinions

helping students value learning. Only

split between men and women

on their self-efficacy is available in

6.4% reported “very little” ability to

than that of band directors in other

Table I (see Table 1, page 62), but

help students value learning, while

studies (Robison & Russell, 2022).

a more nuanced picture of their

31.4% reported “some influence,”

The vast majority of participants

answers is evident upon examining

47.3% reported “quite a bit,” and

(71.4%) identified their race as white/

the frequencies of the highest rated

13.3% reported “a great deal.”

Caucasian, but 13.5% of participants

items. It is important to note that

identified as black/African American,

“highly rated items” are those that

and 4.0% identified as Hispanic or

participants believed they had the

Researchers use factor analysis

Latino. Most participants identified

most influence over; they are not

with survey results when they are

as males (59.6%), but 34% identified

ratings of preference or importance.

interested in reducing a large number

as females and small numbers of

Participants most highly rated their

of variables into a smaller number

participants reporting non-binary

ability to get students to follow

of factors that can explain general

genders (.6%) or preferring not to

classroom rules, with 17.5% who

differences among participants’

answer (.8%). Most participants

reported they could do “a great deal,”

answers. In order to answer research

(42.5%) indicated their primary school

46.3% who reported “quite a bit,”

questions three and four, and reduce

level as high school with 23.7% and

27.2% who reported “some influence,”

our data into comprehensible

17.7% reporting a middle school or

and only 7.8% who reported “very

structures, we employed factor

mixed level position, respectively.

little.” The next most highly rated item

analysis (Russell, 2018). For

On average, participants were

was the ability to provide alternative

extraction, we chose principal

37.64 years old (SD = 10.19) and had

explanations or examples for students.

component analysis with Promax

been teaching for 13.14 (SD = 10.6)

The highest percentage of participants

rotations and Kaiser normalization.

years with 74.8% reported having

selected “quite a bit” (42.1%) with

A two-factor solution based on

completed a mentoring or induction

29.6% reporting “some influence”

Eigenvalues greater than 1.0 with

program when they began teaching.

and 18.1% reporting “a great deal.”

minimal correlation was employed

Data Reduction

Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PEER REVIEWED ... Secondary Band Director's Self Efficacy ..., Tiger Robison & Joseph Carver, cont. and most logical while accounting for

(Nunnally, 1978). See Table 2, page 63.

priori .05 alpha. While descriptive

52.66% of the variance. Eigenvalues in

Impact of Demographic Variables on

statistics revealed middle school

this analysis ranged from 5.29 (Factor

Latent Variables

teachers to rate the School Tasks

1) to 1.03 (Factor 2). This rotation

In order to examine any effects

factor lower than high school teachers

required 3 iterations to converge.

demographic items had on our

(2.53 to 2.68), neither Scheffe nor

The factor structure is very clear and

reduced data we conducted a

Tukey HSD post hoc tests revealed

interpretable; with no crossloadings.

series of bivariate tests (ANOVAs).

significant differences (p = .21 and

We established adequacy using the

Prior to conducting the analyses,

p = .14, respectively), only the more

Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure (.93)

we set the criteria that variables

liberal LSD did (p = .03). Additionally,

and met the assumption of sphericity

included in each analysis must have

effect size was very low (partial

as evidenced in the Bartlett Test of

normal distribution and be a logical

.02). With type of school (public or

Sphericity (χ2 = 2000.55, p < .001). Put

predictor of the grouping variable

private) we established homogeneity

another way, this data met the same

(Huberty & Olejnik, 2006). The

of variances with Levene’s Test (F =

assumptions of previous researchers’

dependent variables included in the

1.68, p = .17), and then a significant

methods, which allowed us to conduct

analysis were those derived from

relationship (F = 20.88, p < .001).

our analyses. We found two, clear

the factor analysis (Factor 1 and 2,

Public school teachers rated the

factors that explain most of the

or “School Tasks” and “Student and

School Tasks factor higher than

variance among responses and we

Family Motivation” respectively. We

their private school colleagues in

labeled them School Tasks (Factor 1)

included both variables as given their

descriptive statistics (2.80 to 2.42)

and Student and Family Motivation

logical groupings and high internal

and a Scheffe post hoc test (which

(Factor 2).

consistency. Because this is the first

is the most conservative) confirmed

study employing this researcher-

this finding (p < .001). Again, effect

The School Tasks (Factor 1)

created instrument, we set an a

size was low (partial

encompasses issues related to

priori alpha of .05 to allow for any

other demographic variables reached

teaching, classroom management,

possible relationships to manifest,

significance with a .05 alpha. In

and assessment. The Student and

knowing there was a risk for Type I

summary, high school and public

Family Motivation (Factor 2) includes

error that necessitates caution when

school SBDs rated the School Tasks

the items about teachers’ ability to

interpreting findings.

factor significantly higher than their

= .12). No

middle school or private school

help students and their families show interest in and value their learning.

Teaching level (middle or high

colleagues, but no other demographic

The inter-factor correlation, which

school) and type of school (public or

variables made a significant difference

is a directional relationship, was .59.

private) had significant relationships

(i.e., race, gender, mentoring program

Subscale scores (responses averaged

to the School Tasks factor in each

participation, setting, age, or years

across items associated with each

bivariate analysis. With teaching

teaching).

factor) yielded relatively strong

level, we established homogeneity

reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s

of variances with Levene’s Test of

α = .58 to .67), which are generally

Equality of Error Variances (herein

and Family Motivation factor,

acceptable for exploratory research

referred to as Levene’s Test) (F =

mentoring program participation as

involving psychological issues

1.029, p = .38), and then a significant

a new teacher (yes or no) and school

relationship with Factor 1 (F = 2.72,

setting (urban, suburban, rural) had

p = .04), which just barely met our a

significant relationships in each

WINT ER 2024

Regarding Factor 2, the Student

Continued on next page

PEER REVIEWED ... Secondary Band Director's Self Efficacy ..., Tiger Robison & Joseph Carver, cont. bivariate analysis. With mentoring,

their highest self-efficacy ability

we established homogeneity of

The purpose of this study was to

for items about getting students to

variances with Levene’s Test (F =

examine factors that may influence

follow classroom rules, providing

.000, p = .999), and then a significant

the self-efficacy of secondary band

alternative explanations when

relationship with the Student and

directors (SBDs). More specifically,

students are confused, and getting

Family Motivation factor (F = 5.50, p

we wished to identify characteristics

students to believe they can do well in

= .02). Descriptive statistics revealed

of SBDs with particularly high or

school work. Conversely, participants

mentorship participants to rate Factor

low self-efficacy and uncover any

reported their lowest self-efficacy

2 higher than non-participants (2.60

statistically significant relationships

ability for items about helping

to 2.43), and because there were only

among these levels and their

families help their children to do well

two options, no post-hoc test was

demographic data. We found two

in school, then controlling disruptive

necessary. The effect size was very

factors as underlying structures

behavior in the classroom, then

= .01). With school

for 52.62% of the total variance

establishing a classroom management

setting, we established homogeneity

in responses and labeled them

system.

of variances with Levene’s Test (F =

“School Tasks” and “Student and

1.37, p = .26), and then a significant

Family Motivation” respectively.

relationship (F = 3.52, p = .03). Urban

No demographic variables made

corroborate and conflict with those

school teachers rated the Student

statistically significant differences

of the limited number of previous

and Family Motivation factor higher

in answers for the School Tasks

researchers in this topic, which

than their suburban or rural school

factor except level (middle or high

lends credence to the need to study

colleagues in descriptive statistics

school) and type of school (public

SBDs and their senses of self-efficacy

(2.65 for urban, 2.55 for rural, 2.48

or private), in which respondents

further. For example, Regier (2019)

for suburban) and a Scheffe post

teaching in high schools and public

found gendered differences in SBDs’

hoc test confirmed this finding (p

schools reported significantly more

self-efficacy (males reporting higher

= .03), but again the effect size was

positive outlooks than their colleagues

levels than females), but we found

very low (partial

teaching in middle or private

no such differences. However, self-

demographic variables reached

schools. Similarly, no demographic

efficacy ratings in the Reiger (2019)

significance with a .05 alpha. In

variables made statistically significant

study were about jazz contexts and

summary, SBDs who underwent

differences in answers for Student

ours were about any secondary

mentoring programs and taught in

and Family Motivation factor except

context. Given the differences across

urban settings rated the Student and

mentoring program participation as

self-efficacy studies, further points for

Family Motivation factor higher than

a new teacher (yes or no) and school

consideration about the two factors

their colleagues who did not undergo

setting (urban, suburban, rural)

(School Tasks, Student and Family

mentoring programs or who taught

with respondents who participated

Motivation) in this study and their

in suburban and rural settings and no

in a mentoring program and those

connections to previous literature

other demographic variables made

teaching in urban schools who

may be most appropriate here. For

a significant difference (i.e., race,

reported significantly more positive

example, the two factors and the items

gender, teaching level, school type,

outlooks than their colleagues in

they contain bear a resemblance

age, or years teaching).

suburban settings or who were not

to the most highly important

mentoring program participants.

characteristics “be able to motivate

Additionally, participants reported

students” and struggles “classroom

low (partial

DISCUSSION

= .01). No other

These findings can both

Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PEER REVIEWED ... Secondary Band Director's Self Efficacy ..., Tiger Robison & Joseph Carver, cont. management” cited by participants in

middle school band directors (broadly

school teachers above. Teacher

Miksza et al. (2010, p. 364). The fact

defined) in their teacher preparation

preparation programs may be at the

that participants in the current SBD

programs by including them in

mercy of their geographical area

study believed they could influence

practicum and student teaching

for practicum and student teaching

classroom management issues the

experiences, inviting them as guest

experiences, which is particularly

most, but participants in previous

speakers (perhaps via teleconference

unfortunate if those areas do not

SBD studies have listed it as a struggle

software), and seeking their practical

include an urban center. However,

raises an interesting point and merits

strategies on classroom management

teleconferencing software and other

further study. Optimistically, perhaps

and other tasks from Factor 1 in this

forms of distance education, which is

the secondary band community was

study. Teachers in private schools,

perhaps more commonplace because

attentive to their members’ needs and

who may not have attended a teacher

of the recent pandemic, makes

adjusted music teacher preparation or

preparation program, would also

some degree of contact with faraway

professional development in the time

benefit from this information.

teachers possible.

between these studies. Because respondents who had

IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

participated in a mentoring program

We see several implications

and taught in urban settings reported

Based on these findings, we

for practice based on the current

significantly more positive outlooks

have several suggestions for future

data, especially for music teacher

than their colleagues regarding Factor

researchers interested in better

educators (MTEs), upon examining

2 (Student and Family Motivation), we

understanding SBDs and their senses

the differences among demographic

see a need for continued mentorship

of self-efficacy. First, we believe that

variables on the two factors. Because

among all new band directors and

our national sample is representative

high school and public school teachers

outreach to SBDs in urban areas.

of the greater population, although

had more favorable perceptions

Mentorship programs have positive

with a more even split among men

of Factor 1 (School Tasks) than

effects in combating teacher attrition

and women, based on the limited

their colleagues in other contexts,

(see Carver et al., 2022, Robison &

amount of literature about SBDs.

we see a need for music teacher

Russell, 2022) so we suggest MTEs

However any national sample in a

educators to prepare preservice

consider taking steps to ensure their

country as pluralistic as the United

teachers for careers as middle school

existence for their students upon

States may not adequately address

band directors to the best of their

graduation. To do so may necessitate

regional differences. We wish to

abilities. In fact, many preservice

advocacy at the local or state level

replicate and expand this study

teachers enter a teacher preparation

if mentors are compensated for

with regional studies to refine these

program wanting to be high school

this important role. MTEs may also

national factors in ways that would

directors (see Rickels et al., 2013),

glean insight from our finding that

reveal any differences among SBDs

so it is possible that current middle

SBDs in urban settings had more

among the NAfME regions. Second,

school band directors begin their

favorable outcomes for Factor 2.

based on the significant effect of

jobs with ambitions for high school

SBDs in these areas may have great

participation in mentoring programs

positions, but it is hard to overstate

insights for preservice band directors’

on senses of self-efficacy for school

the importance of middle school

educations, and MTEs should invite

tasks, we see a need for more

band directors. MTEs should strive to

them to contribute in similar ways to

studies to help better see what the

build relationships with exemplary

our suggestions for including middle

characteristics of helpful mentorship

WINT ER 2024

RESEARCH

Continued on next page

PEER REVIEWED ... Secondary Band Director's Self Efficacy ..., Tiger Robison & Joseph Carver, cont. programs are, then to provide a

visible ensembles for multiple years

needs assessment for what is needed

in a student’s schooling. As such,

to replicate these programs for all

when SBDs report their beliefs in their

SBDs, especially those in under-

abilities, addressing their concerns

resourced settings. Third, based

and possibly preventing their reported

on the significantly higher outlook

deficiencies during their education or

on student and familial motivation

professional development is integral

among SBDs in urban settings in our

to positive educational experiences for

findings, we see a need for a closer

many students and their communities.

look into what makes those teachers

Offering SBDs repeated opportunities

more confident in their abilities.

to reflect on their self-efficacy through

Qualitative work including repeated

studies, searching for trends in

interviews with participants may

findings, then offering solutions or

uncover specific strategies to help all

strategies back to SBDs and those who

SBDs better help families and students

prepare them is a logical feedback

be more involved in their school work.

loop to which we hope additional researchers contribute.

Secondary Band Directors often see large numbers of students in highly

Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PEER REVIEWED ... Secondary Band Director's Self Efficacy ..., Tiger Robison & Joseph Carver, cont.

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WINT ER 2024

PERSPECTIVE

FROM THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE ... TO THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW.

THE PAST CANNOT BE CHANGED, HOWEVER, THE PAST CAN HELP US TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

BY DAVID GREGORY

ach of our lives is

dress, talk, walk, and act toward

filled with interactions

others. I believe both are important

and intersections

to who we are as well as to others

with others. Some are

with whom we interact and intersect.

intentional but many

Certainly that is the case in our

are not. Whether intentional or

profession.

random, each becomes part of our lives and helps shape future actions

Associations with others help shape

and thoughts. Such is the case with

our personal and professional lives.

those who came before us, and such

There are those from our profession

will it be with those who follow us and

who have gone before us and have left

whom we influence.

behind a legacy of greatness, artistry, inspiration, integrity, and a spirit of

Interactions usually are those

genuine love of our art form. They

events that are planned or expected.

impacted us, many times without

Intersections might best be described

knowing they had done so. When I

as random associations with others,

look at some of the Past Presidents of

whether they be passing someone on

the NBA who were friends as well as

the street, in a crowd, in the airport,

colleagues of mine but are no longer

in a restaurant, or numerous other

with us, I am reminded of things they

places. From interactions we take

left behind ... things that helped shape

away things that are expected; from

our profession rather than things used

intersections we unconsciously collect

to enhance their status. Their memory

things that become part of who we

calls to mind a quote I saw some time

are, things such as the way people

back (and I paraphrase)

Dr. David Gregory, Founder and Conductor Emeritus of the Georgia Wind Symphony, is former Director of Bands/Coordinator of Music Education at Reinhardt University (Ret.) and Conductor Emeritus of Tara Winds Community Band. He has conducted elementary, junior high, high school, community college, university, and professional bands during his career. He is a Past President of the National Band Association and served eight years as Advisor to the Executive Committee of that organization. Maintaining a regular schedule of appearances, Dr. Gregory has received invitations to appear throughout the United States and abroad. He has conducted allstate bands throughout America, and his band activities have taken him across the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and the European continent where he appeared as guest conductor of La Banda dell’Esercito of Rome, Italy (2x), the Associazione Musicale “G. Verdi” Band of Aci S. Antonio, Sicily, the Federazione Bande Siciliane of Santa Maria di Licodia, Sicily, the Lucania Orchestra di Fiati of Matera, Italy, La Banda di Sant’Oreste (Rome), La Banda di Commune Triuggio, and five times with La Banda di Sacrofano in Rome. He is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and served as a member of the Board of Directors for that organization. In February of 2020, Gregory was inducted into the National Band Association’s “Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors”, was named as a “Midwest Legend” for 2021, and receive the "NBA Presidential Medal of Honor" in 2023.

Continued on next page

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PERSPECTIVE From Those Who Have Gone Before ..., David Gregory, cont. "Some people work very hard to gain

and for his insatiable appetite for

be added as examples of "From Those

personal recognition while others are

learning and helping train the next

Who Have Gone Before Us," but this

recognized because of the quality of

generation teachers/conductors. JIM

sampling provides a basis for the

the work they do."

CROFT (Former DOB Florida State

premise of this article. I encourage

University) had an immense impact

each of us to reflect on our careers

on our profession through his brilliant

and recall those who came before

of our Past Presidents, things that can

and incisive wit, his superb artistic

us—and because of them we are

help guide our professional paths,

understandings, his engaging podium

better. All of us have those "Personal

and possibly help us become better

skills, and his never-ending love

AWAPA Winners" in our lives, and I

individuals. I have fond memories

affair with music. I do not recall any

believe it to be urgently important

of those friends and colleagues. My

instance of interacting with either of

we acknowledge them as such. They

greatest mentor, DR. WILLIAM J.

these two friends when I did not learn

will be honored to know of the impact

MOODY (Former DOB, University of

something and feel better for having

they had on your life, and you will be

Southern Mississippi), always insisted

spent time with them. Such was their

better for having told them as much ...

the ultimate goal of teaching is

gift.

I assure you. Reach out to those who

There are things left to us by some

helping our students become the best

have guided and inspired you in your

version of themselves ... and we can

BOBBY ADAMS (Former DOB Stetson

career. It is important we do these

do that through creating and sharing

University) will always hold a very

things.

the compelling beauty of music. Those

special place in my life. He was a dear

melodies linger still.

friend and a valued colleague, one of

I cannot imagine any of these

those who by his very nature could not

people mentioned above spending

EARL DUNN (Former DOB Ball State

allow "good enough to be good enough."

time on social media touting their

University) who served many years

One day near the end of his life while

achievements, or posting pictures of

as editor and personal guide for our

he and his wife were listening to a

themselves conducting an ensemble,

NBA Journal, always resisted standing

gifted singer perform a beautiful

or "expressing thanks" on Facebook

in the spotlight. His response to

ballad, he said, mostly to himself,

for being invited to serve as guest

accolades and awards was to turn the attention onto others. His entire career was spent investing in his students and helping them find ways to become the best they could be in their chosen field. Those lessons still bear fruit today through his students and his students' students. JIM COPENHAVER (Former DOB University of South Carolina) left a legacy of caring for others, for impeccable rehearsal and administrative skills, for supporting and encouraging his students, WINT ER 2024

"Sometimes music is so beautiful, it just breaks my heart." He gave to those of us who followed, his gift of musicianship, love of music, great stories, and a wonderful sense of humor that bought joy to so many. Would that we all have such a relationship with music, no matter at what stage in our lives. I wish I had met Bobby earlier in my career so I could have learned more from him and laughed longer with him. There are many others who could

conductor/clinician/adjudicator, posting a schedule of their upcoming clinics and guest appearances, boasting about residencies they have worked, or (spare us please!) their private health issues. Those who need to know about our work and our health will know about it; public promoting of oneself quite simply is embarrassing and cheapens our profession. We all know those items are posted on social media for self-promotion in order to secure additional invitations. It has become embarrassing for our profession Continued on next page

PERSPECTIVE From Those Who Have Gone Before ..., David Gregory, cont. that adults, especially those who

to resort to "selling themselves" on

... without question or qualification.

should know better, would involve

social media, especially those who

TOM FRASCHILLO (DOB Emeritus

themselves in such adolescent and

have reached or are past retirement

University of Southern Mississippi)

immature behavior. However, do not

age. Again, we are sending dangerous

has hundreds of awards, honors, and

confuse my disappointment in the

and poisonous messages to the next

guest conducting appearances, and

behaviors described above with those

generation. Those messages speak

his international acclaim represents

dedicated teachers and conductors

clearly: do what you have to do to get

nothing less than a spectacular career

who are working diligently to build

the next gig and promote yourself as

of service. Nothing uploaded by him

programs and ensembles, or with

much and as often as you can.

on his Facebook page about those

composers who are attempting to

recognitions. He is treasured both

introduce new and valuable literature

SO...WHAT DO WE DO FOR THOSE

nationally and internationally, but you

into our repertoire. They are trying to

WHO WILL FOLLOW US?

will not see any FB postings searching

persevere and grow professionally in

I submit that the true giants

an environment where social media

and relevant members of our

and peer pressure are greater and

profession who still are with us will

more competitive than ever.

not be seen in situations described

Michigan University) is one of the

above. One cannot, under any

heroes of our profession. She has

In my opinion, there are very

circumstances, envision RICHARD

worked diligently throughout her

real and specific reasons we are

CRAIN (Former President of Midwest

career to create environments where

witnessing this deluge of self-

Clinic Board of Directors) or RAY

her students could grow and thrive

honoring, get recognition any way

CRAMER (DOB Emeritus Indiana

in their study of music. Her focus

possible, unabashed self-promoting,

University) touting their worth and

has always been on the students

and choosing breadth over depth

promoting their popularity via social

she served; she is one after whom

in our profession. I believe much

media. Both men have legacies of

others should model their work and

of the responsibility for this

integrity and exceptional musical

their commitment to the profession.

unfortunate behavior lies with many

accomplishments. Both have given

Mary does not seek the spotlight

who are veterans of the profession

a lifetime of service to others and

for her work, but the quality of her

(euphemism for old) ...and should

still serve as role models for our

work places her center stage for

know better. Shame on them for

profession. We all should strive to be

recognition. She does not work to

misleading those who will follow!

a Richard or Ray in our professional

be recognized, but her exceptional

lives.

musical artistry brings national and

When we have completed the majority of our career (again,

for "clicks." Be a Linda or a Tom. MARY SCHNEIDER (DOB Eastern

international acclaim to her. LINDA MOORHOUSE (Director,

euphemism for old), we should be

School of Music University of Illinois)

Few have the spirit of serving

secure enough in our work that we

will never advertise the incredible

others more so than does JOHN

do not feel the need for soliciting

work she does as an administrator and

SOUTHALL (DOB Indian River State

relevancy from others. Our body

teacher/clinician/conductor, helping

College). He has spent his career

of work and our investment in our

to change the landscape of bands in

serving his students, preparing them

students should be reassurance

America. Those who need to know of

for their future, sharing his enormous

enough. There is no reason, other

her brilliant work, know. Her focus

musical talents, and guiding future

than personal insecurities, for anyone

is on others and her legacy is secure

teachers in their lives. One of the most Continued on next page

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PERSPECTIVE From Those Who Have Gone Before ..., David Gregory, cont. relevant and essential professionals

promoting himself or his work. He is

than a bit embarrassing. Others will

to be found anywhere, the state of

comfortable with who he is, what he

post deserving video.

Florida is fortunate Dr. Southall has

has achieved, and the legacy he leaves

devoted his career to teachers there.

behind. We should strive to build our

Would that we had a John Southall in

careers with the model provided by

every state to guide our profession.

Julian White. Be like Dr. White.

Use Mary or John as a model for building your professional resume.

WHAT DO WE SAY TO THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW US...AND TO THOSE

LOWELL GRAHAM (Conductor/ Musical Director Greeley

WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER? I strongly believe it is our

• To those whose bands have performed at prestigious events (Midwest, Rose Parade, Macy's Parade), please refrain from uploading videos and commentary of those past performances each year. Apparently, some simply cannot let go of those experiences and feel the need for public

Philharmonic Orchestra; Professor

responsibility to serve as examples

Emeritus University of Texas El Paso),

and, if needed, advisors to those

a person who has more to "brag about"

who will follow us. We must speak

than virtually anyone else in our

with clarity and conviction, and

profession, but he spends his time

without hesitancy, to those issues that

(his 3rd career after that of Professor

threaten the values and integrity of

at UTEP and Commander/Conductor

our profession. Things that seem to be

of the USAF Band) re-structuring,

consuming the attention and energies

shaping, and promoting the Greeley

of so much of the next generation of

(CO) Philharmonic Orchestra as

professionals must be addressed by

only its 6th conductor in the 112-

those who can offer valid guidance

year history of the organization.

and professional example. I believe it

You will find his impressive

is essential to speak to these concerns,

Facebook posts touting the work and

and not be afraid of hurting feelings

accomplishments of the GPO, not the

or denting self-concepts, and to say

market.

relevance of Lowell Graham. That

the following:

• Rather than post on Facebook your

issue has long been settled. We need more Dr. Grahams. Be a Lowell...a monumental challenge in and of itself. JULIAN WHITE (Distinguished Professor/Former DOB Florida A&M University), a gentle giant of our profession, has guided and inspired thousands of teachers and performers

• Refrain from posting "humble brags" of your personal honors and recognitions on social media. Allow those responsible for awarding them to announce them. • There is no need to post pictures and narrative of recent conducting appearances. Doing so appears

recognition so strongly they cannot stop this self-honoring behavior. No need to continue to remind others of your achievements. Those who should know will know. Let it be. • Posting your past conducting appearances and/or your up-coming schedule of clinics and conducting events is gratuitous and entirely selfserving. If your work is of sufficient merit, invitations will come your way; there is no need to advertise your perceived talents on the open

"Thanks" to a band or conductor for inviting you to work with the ensemble, send the director an email (or even the antiquated printed letter containing your signature). Certainly this act would be a more sincere gesture ... one without the element of soliciting yet another invitation through a public

during his long and illustrious career.

superficial and solicitous.

There is no one in our profession

• Do not post videos of you

of the students in the ensemble

who would ever doubt his relevance

conducting during a rehearsal or

you conducted actually see your FB

or importance to our art form, yet Dr.

performance. Again, such things are

messages?

White will never be seen on Facebook

entirely self-honoring...and more

• Do not use Facebook as your

WINT ER 2024

posting. After all, just how many

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PERSPECTIVE From Those Who Have Gone Before ..., David Gregory, cont. "personal therapy" venue. FB is not

private health issues on Facebook.

established. If we have not, it is time

an appropriate place to present

Such things should be family

to re-evaluate what we hold to be

personal or professional problems

issues; those who need to know of a

important in our lives. Those are the

with which you struggle. If you

particular situation will know. Social

things we will pass along to those who

are using this medium to bring

media is not a place for sharing

attention to yourself and gain

private matters. Doing so appears

have gone before us and use that past

popularity, stop. Find professional

to be an attempt to collect "clicks,"

to help us toward a better future...and

assistance somewhere other than

which goes to an earlier stated issue

we should not delay.

through social media.

of constantly seeking assurance of

•"Don't ever let your role as an educator be compromised by mass

• Do not hesitate to reach out to

entertainment." - Dr. James Croft

those who can be of assistance to

• Do not become addicted to posting on Facebook. Overuse of the practice of uploading things involving you (remember, most never upload a video of themselves), especially videos of you with a group, can cheapen the worth of other material you may wish to post. As my Italian friends say, "Troppo e' troppo." (Too much is too much). And that is true. • Be careful not to place too much responsibility for and expectations in motivational and leadership workshops. They can be vital parts of our programs, but they will not by themselves produce outstanding ensembles.

CODA FINALE: Songwriter/singer Jimmy Buffett penned these thoughtful lyrics,

you ... and there are many who

"Twenty-four hours, maybe sixty

are willing. The challenges facing

good years, it's still not a long time

teachers of all experience levels are

to stay." (A Cowboy in the Jungle,

far greater than ever before, but the

1978)

resources also are greater. Ask for

And as the saying goes, "It goes by in

assistance; it will be given.

a blink." Finally, as a reminder in the profound and challenging words of

PRIMA CODA: Those who recognize the inherent dangers of actions described above should help the next generation of teachers/conductors find their way through the early and middle years of their work. We should not be hesitant to speak out in identifying those practices which we know to be shallow and superficial. To remain silent is to offer tacet approval of things that have very little musical

• Do not confuse true leadership

worth. Those of our profession who

training with other activities that are

have reached "Elder Statesperson"

better relegated to summer camp

status (again, euphemism for old),

entertainment. To do so could be

must not engage in self-honoring and

harmful to you as a teacher and to

self-promoting practices. To endorse

the development of your program.

such things through our personal

There are many who promote

actions only serves to mislead others

themselves through this activity.

in a futile attempt to remain relevant.

Choose wisely.

If we have served our students

• Do not post serious personal and 70

relevancy.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" (From his speech in Montgomery, AL. 1957) So... let's get to work. Be a John, Julian, Linda, Lowell, Mary, Ray, Richard, or Tom. Lots yet to be done. FINE.

well and true, our legacy is firmly NBA JOURNAL

PERSPECTIVE

MUSICAL CHAIRS FOR A STRONGER ENSEMBLE JAMES POPEJOY

mong the tasks that

performances. I truly believe that

occupy extensive time

all our students, even those in the

for most conductors

development stage, deserve the

is the one concerning

opportunity to contribute in a positive

chair placement and

way toward the music making

part assignments for the musicians

process. Students who feel as if their

in their ensembles. I would advocate

contributions are vital to the musical

that when completing this task,

goals of the ensemble are much

we ensure our results provide a

more invested in rehearsals and

James Popejoy is Director of Bands and

positive experience and opportunity

performances. It is also important

Professor of Music at the University of North

for growth, both for the individual

to remember that no one “sits the

Dakota. Conductor of the UND Wind Ensemble,

musicians, as well as the ensemble.

bench” in the band. Every player in

University Band, and Chamber Players, he also

the ensemble will be contributing

instructs graduate and undergraduate courses

Since my days as a graduate student

to the musical performance in some

at the University of North Texas, I

way, and we certainly want this to be

have been an advocate of using a

a positive one! It is also vital that all

rotation system or what I like to call

parts in the score are heard. For this to

“musical chairs” with as many of the

happen, it is imperative that melodic,

ensembles I conduct as possible. After

harmonic, and rhythmic lines are

over 25 years of using this system, I

covered by competent musicians who

have found it to be quite effective in

believe in the value of every part in

providing my ensemble members with

the score.

wonderful opportunities for individual

in conducting, instrumental literature, and jazz pedagogy. In his 43rd year of teaching at the public school and collegiate level, he earned degrees in music education and conducting from Central Missouri State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of North Texas. Dr. Popejoy is a Past President for the North Central Division of the College Band Directors National Association and has served on the Executive Boards for the North Dakota Music Educators Association, as well as the

growth, while also serving as a major

The use of a chair rotation system

contributor toward the strengthening

demands that the conductor take the

of these groups on multiple levels.

time and effort to assign parts for

selected for study, such as the

each student on every piece of music

technical and musical demands

The chair and part rotation process

being prepared for performance.

required, will assist this process. Of

connects closely to my personal

Conductors can prepare for this

course, previous knowledge of your

philosophies concerning music

task when listening to auditions,

musician’s performances can also

education, as well as my dedication

making notes about the strengths

contribute to these decisions.

to effective score interpretation

and weaknesses of each musician.

and the presentation of musical

Considerations about the music

WINT ER 2024

North Dakota National Band Association.

Continued on next page

PERSPECTIVE Musical Chairs for a Stronger Ensemble, James Popejoy, cont. POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

principal responsibilities and solo

that already has assigned parts; or

opportunities to various section

allow section leaders to distribute

members.

parts.

over time, rather than thrust

• Developing players tend to

• Rotating parts can also assist in

less experienced students into a

grow faster when sitting next to

preserving players stamina during

leadership role suddenly when

stronger musicians. There are

rehearsals and performances,

openings occur.

typically fewer discipline and

especially high brass musicians.

• A rotation system allows you to develop leaders and soloists

• Section leader selection can now be based on seniority, maturity,

well.

and leadership potential, rather

• Rotating parts will increase

than just their playing ability.

individual responsibility and

• This system lessons the impact of those difficult chair placement

minimize egos, developing a more cohesive ensemble.

decisions usually based on

• When assigning principal parts

short playing auditions. It can

or soloists, this system allows the

also eliminate chair position

conductor the option of selecting

challenges.

the best musician for a particular

• The rotation system allows you to cover all the parts more equally (as the composer intended), allowing you to assign stronger players to lower parts as needed. • Even when using a part rotation, it is not required that everyone be assigned 1A (principal first part) in your rotation. Some players may only rotate between certain parts (second and third parts) until they are ready. Opportunities to serve as principal second part and third part players are also available for all students in this scenario. • Chair placement rotations should also be used for those sections that often only have one part (bass clarinet, tenor and baritone saxophones, euphonium, tuba), assigning 72

classroom management issues as

part or feature on any given piece such as one featuring a jazz oriented solo, a lyrical solo, or a part with extended range, etc.

While this rotation system is primarily used with my collegiate ensembles, I have also adapted this system for use with the 130-member High School Honor Band our university sponsors each year. One of the major issues with the audition process for this ensemble include having to decide who is selected for the honor band and assigning parts based on five-minute individual auditions spread over a six-day audition schedule. By using the part rotation system, honor band

• I suggest you rotate chairs

students can play multiple parts;

during both rehearsals and

learn how important every part is;

performances. Students with

meet, interact, and learn from a larger

large instruments and/or a

group of students; and maintain

very small section (oboes/bass

their “chops” over the long weekend

clarinets/tubas) can stay in place

of rehearsals and performance.

while still rotating parts and solo

In addition, I have found using

responsibilities. If time does not

the rotation system encourages

permit the physical rotation at any

the students to display stronger

given time, having the ensemble

camaraderie and helps to control

play in a mixed formation can

student’s egos. The change-over

also provide a unique perspective

between pieces also provides a natural

and learning experience for the

break in rehearsals and assists with

musicians.

re-establishing focus.

• For rehearsals that include sight-reading, conductors can either have a pre-arranged default ensemble set-up for doing this; sit in the order of another piece

Using a chair rotation system will involve extra work for directors, as they must study and learn their scores prior to the first rehearsal. Completing Continued on next page

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PERSPECTIVE Musical Chairs for a Stronger Ensemble, James Popejoy, cont. the task of assigning parts, however,

1A (principal first part); T3C (third

and execute their part on every piece

will assist the conductor with learning

trumpet, third chair); B (second

of music will have an impact on

the score more thoroughly. While it

chair for music without split

future part assignments. Using this

is easier to use this system with an

parts). This system also allows you

process will involve some risks. You

ensemble that plays at a similar level,

to easily rotate assignments for

will occasionally get “burned” when

those groups with a wider range of

who will play piccolo, Eb clarinet,

assigning a developing student to a

abilities can simply adapt a slightly

English horn, trumpet & cornet

solo or leadership role and they do not

different approach.

parts, etc.

step up to the challenge. This scenario

PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION SUGGESTIONS:

• Create a part rotation assignment sheet for your percussion section as well. For advanced ensembles

• Adapt this system for your

I usually prepare the assignment

own program as seems most

list and allow the section leaders

appropriate. There are many

to assign the percussion parts.

variations and variables to

Consider adding and/or doubling

consider.

parts to keep all percussionists

• I recommend you rotate each piece of music you plan to perform (for shorter works, it is certainly acceptable to use the same part assignments on

active in the “learning laboratory” of your rehearsals. This section can also assist in covering missing

will need their own copy of the

in alphabetical order by section

part assigned, as well as their own

in your concert programs.

music folder.

Include the tag line at the

allow you to rotate some players out on certain selections. This is probably more practical for use by a collegiate ensemble; however, you could assign the students that are not playing on a certain selection to rehearse together on a chamber piece or have a sectional. • The director will need to prepare a spreadsheet with all players assigned a specific part on each selection. Parts should be marked with a consistent notation system: WINT ER 2024

for all. Conversely, there is no greater feeling for a music educator than when a student achieves success and knows that their director believes in them. I firmly believe that the use of a part rotation system provides extensive opportunities for musical performances, and great success stories!

sections of the ensemble. • Consider listing your musicians

sections, use of this system could

moment” and learning opportunity

parts or strengthening weaker

multiple works). Every student

• For ensembles with unbalanced

can provide, however, a “teachable

bottom: “Members of the Wind Ensemble are listed alphabetically to acknowledge each player’s contribution. They all serve as principal musicians.” (Remember those playing first chair, second or third parts are also principal players!) Implementing this system of “musical chairs” can help to make every rehearsal an audition. All musicians will have the opportunity to shine as the conductor is more aware of each student’s contribution. They quickly realize that how they prepare 73

PERSPECTIVE

MYTH-BUSTING:

WHAT THE DATA TELLS US ABOUT FLORIDA BAND MPA REPERTOIRE

BY MARC DECKER

ne of the most

in the form of a final rating. Two

challenging duties

of the music selections they pick

of any concert band

must be from a selective repertoire

director is to choose

list maintained by the Florida

the right music

Bandmasters Association. Although

to perform at Music Performance

there are differences throughout

Assessment (MPA). Choosing

the nation in how this activity is

the right music achieves various

structured, it is considered by many

educational goals while showcasing

to be a high stakes activity. We all

an ensemble’s strengths. We all want

want our students to receive the

to program music that has artistic

highest scores and because of this

and educational value, is well-crafted,

we tend to listen carefully when a

and has the potential to lead to a

friend or mentor gives advice. In

superior performance. It is, without

turn we pass along these nuggets of

question, one of the most important

wisdom to the younger generation.

decisions we make each year and can

But, which are these adages are

lead to great success or to significant

truths and which are myths? That was

challenges in rehearsal.

my primary research question as I reviewed data on repertoire, ensemble

Evaluating concert band

demographics, and final ratings.

performance is a tradition that

The goal of this article is to provide

has been around for many years

insight into some of the most common

with various evolutions throughout

advice we tell each other as well as

time that are ostensibly for the

recommendations to improve not only

improvement of the evaluation

the evaluation process of our concert

process. In its current form in

ensembles, but the student experience

Florida, concert bands perform

three music selections in front of a

This study is an overview and

panel of adjudicators that evaluate

discussion of repertoire selected by

the performance and provide a score

Florida Bandmasters Association

Marc Decker is an Associate Professor of Music and the Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands at Florida Atlantic University where his primary duties include directing the Marching Owls, ‘Parliament Sound’ Pep Band, and Symphony Band. Decker has held various teaching and conducting positions at South Haven High School in Michigan, Gettysburg College, American University, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He is an active arranger, drill writer, guest conductor, and adjudicator, and is currently serving as the Florida State Chair for the Society for Music Teacher Education.

members at MPA from Spring 2016-Spring 2022. The wide range of dates was selected to accommodate the two school years that were impacted by COVID-19 when many schools throughout Florida adopted virtual and hybrid instructional models. Additionally, trends in programming come and go. Some years, a work will be particularly popular to program, while in other years it might be much less so. To draw conclusions that address the many myths and truths of the process, multiple years of data needed to be used.

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DOES FLORIDA HAVE A CORE

Compositions in the top 5 have

What does this mean for the

REPERTOIRE?

an average publication date of 34

status of Florida’s top 5 repertoire?

Yes, we do! The top five most

years ago – meaning the average

For most musicians it takes time

performed works at Florida MPA

composition was written in the

to determine how we feel about

represent 21.2% of all music

1980’s. The newest work is “Discovery

music. We experience new music

performed from the MPA Concert

Overture” by Anne McGinty from 2012

by seeing it on a publisher’s

Music List Spring 2016-Spring 2022. In

and the oldest is “Lincolnshire Posy”

catalogue, hearing it performed,

other words, there is a 1 in 5 chance

by Percy Aldridge Grainger from 1937.

or by direct recommendation of

that if you listened to a band perform

Grade 1 and 2 works average 24 years

a colleague. In nearly every way

at a Florida MPA, they performed one

in age, and Grade 5 and 6 average 44

we can learn about new music

of the following selections:

years in age, a 20-year difference.

and experience it for the first time, there is some level of peer review. Over years we hear that same music performed again, and again, and if the work continues to be programmed regularly it demonstrates significant levels of peer review. This means that the top 5 list has been vetted by numerous music professionals and is of significant musical value. But, there are some challenges in regard to this core repertoire. First, it takes time for works to achieve commercial success, which can be discouraging for composers who are eager to write the newest works for winds. Second, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of these composers does not match the general population of students enrolled in school band programs. We can address both these concerns as a community of band directors by encouraging the creation of new music. Additionally, band directors are often responsible for nominating new compositions to their State repertoire lists which then goes

WINT ER 2024

Continued on next page

PERSPECTIVE Myth Busting ..., Marc Decker, cont. on to a committee for review. This

repertoire performed many times

consistently struggling because of its

means that all of us can do our part in

throughout a multi-day music festival,

size, is a myth.

nominating selections that represent

and it is refreshing to hear something

a wider demographic of composers

new; however, the data does not

writing quality music for concert

show a significant difference in final

those with 29 or under struggle. This is

band.

ratings between the most well-known

probably due to the musical demands

works and the general population of

of being exposed in a small ensemble

repertoire.

setting. We all know that playing

MYTH OR FACT: JUDGES RATE MUSIC THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH

However, smaller bands, especially

solos and small ensemble music helps

MORE CRITICALLY THEN NEW

MYTH OR FACT: VERY SMALL AND

develop listening skills, individual

MUSIC

VERY LARGE BANDS PERFORM

tone, style, and overall musicianship.

POORLY

As far as developing great musicians,

MYTH. From 2016-2022, 37.5% of all concert band performances in

MYTH for the large bands, but

Florida received superior ratings.

FACT for the small bands. Bands with

In comparison, the literature from

20-29 students had a 14.7% chance of

the top 5 list above averaged 35.6%

earning a superior rating from 2016-

superior ratings. Judges throughout

2022 whereas bands with 80+ students

Florida are highly familiar with the

had a 60% chance. In general, as

top 5 list. They have heard these

ensembles get larger they tend to

pieces dozens, possibly hundreds,

perform better.

of times. If judges treated music they knew more critically, then the

I was told as a new teacher that

difference in superior ratings would

having a larger band would be

be more significant than 1.9%.

detrimental because it would be harder to achieve a piano dynamic

Why does this myth exist? In my

and create problems with the clarity of

own experience it evolved from

sound and accuracy of articulations.

judges’ recorded comments. They

Although this may be true, big bands

often praised the repertoire when I

do well at MPA. The idea of a big band

one could argue that the smaller the ensemble, the better! Afterall, in a smaller group the instructor is able to provide more direct and individual feedback to each musician. Each player will also feel valued and important within the ensemble, because parts will be rarely doubled. But, with nowhere to hide, every error is exposed and that leads to smaller bands struggling at MPA. So, what does this mean? For schools that have only one concert band, there is no short-term solution. The long-term solution is to focus on recruiting and retention efforts which

selected works they were unfamiliar with or were rarely performed, but withheld praise for the commonly performed works. This led me to believe that programming the standards in the repertoire should be avoided. Now that I’m often sitting in the judge’s seat, I have caught myself making similar comments on occasion praising a new discovery I was unfamiliar with. Fatigue certainly does set in after hearing the same 76

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PERSPECTIVE Myth Busting ..., Marc Decker, cont. can involve a multitude of factors

able to achieve a Superior rating. A

such as visits to feeder programs,

3.5% difference is not significant;

of all Florida schools performing

increasing the visibility of a program

however, only 22.5% of Junior High

at MPA and they seem to be at a

within the school district, changing

School bands were able to earn a

disadvantage compared with middle

the mindset of administrators, and

Superior rating during this timeframe,

and high school bands. There

continuing to build a great band

significantly lower than middle and

are many reasons this could be

culture that engages students.

high school bands.

happening. For example, Junior High

Junior High Schools make up 5.4%

For schools that are fortunate enough to have multiple concert bands, there is more flexibility with what can be done and it may be worth considering the distribution of student performer count. For example, a school with 80 students in the concert program could consider an even split of 40 in two groups. This may result is each group performing at a higher level than other distributions that might put one group under 30 musicians. Another possibility is to simply have one very large band of 80 onstage and although the data suggests that doing so may lead to a greater chance of earning a superior rating – I urge caution. There is a difference between ratings and student learning. There are many educational advantages to having smaller ensembles and a distribution into two groups may lead to an educationally superior experience. MYTH OR FACT: MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS ARE JUDGED EASIER THEN HIGH SCHOOL MYTH. Actually, it’s the Junior High Bands that seem to be at a disadvantage! From 2016-2022 45.6% of middle school bands and 42.1% of high school bands were WINT ER 2024

Continued on next page

PERSPECTIVE Myth Busting ..., Marc Decker, cont. Schools may not start band until 7th

This graph shows that bands

grade, could be in a rural area without

attempting grade 1 repertoire

access to private lesson teachers and

have a significantly lower chance

other resources, or perhaps judges

of a superior rating then a band

are uncertain how to evaluate these

attempting a grade 6 work. A small

ensembles. Whatever the reason may

difference in achievement should

be, attention needs to be given to

not be a surprise, but the percentage

Junior High School music programs to

difference between the grade levels

shed light on the challenges they face

is enormous. I believe there are

and discuss how to best evaluate their

several reasons for this. First, bands

musical performance.

attempting advanced repertoire typically start the year with more

Aside from the Junior High Schools,

established individual and ensemble

why might this myth exist? I believe

fundamentals. This allows the director

this is because it is easy to conflate a

to devote more rehearsal time to

school’s level as a middle, junior, or

interpretation, style, and nuance.

high school, with the classification

Compare that to band directors

of the music they are attempting.

attempting the lower difficulties who

For example, there are middle

are often devoting significant chunks

school bands that perform advanced

of rehearsal to improving individual

repertoire and high schools that for

tone qualities and developing the

various reasons attempt less advanced

ensemble sound. Second, the grade

repertoire. Both can be equally

difficulty of music performed is often

successful and what matters more as

determined by factors outside the

far as achievement, is the difficulty of

control of band directors, such as

music they attempt.

school enrollment. Third, schools attempting lower grade levels of music

may have less resources in regards to instructional staff, quality musical instruments, and administrative support. As a profession, we must provide the greatest support to ensembles that are facing the greatest challenges. I am continually surprised when I visit schools to see the difference in resources between programs. Some schools have gorgeous facilities with teams of professionals working with individual students to improve technique, while others are a band director as the sole music educator rehearsing in a less than ideal space. We need to strive for equity between all schools and find new ways to support programs that have the greatest need. One potential solution in helping bands find success may be to examine and restructure judging sheets. Judging sheets often attempt to balance the evaluation of music fundamentals, technical performance, and interpretative elements; however, as discussed above, bands attempting grade 1-2 music expend many times the effort just to check all the boxes in the music fundamentals caption. For this reason, it may be worth considering a different proportion when it comes to bands attempting lower grade levels of music that places a greater weight on performance fundamentals and technical preparation. Such a scoring system should not lessen the significance of

Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PERSPECTIVE Myth Busting ..., Marc Decker, cont. interpretive elements – as that must always be important – but instead proportion the score in a way that acknowledges the development of sound as of primary concern for these ensembles. Another potential solution involves rethinking the classification system. School enrollment is not the best means of determining the difficulty of music bands should perform because it does not account for a multitude of outside factors that affect student achievement. One of the factors listed in this study, which is tangible and easy to implement into an existing classification system, is the importance of ensemble size. Perhaps that number can work into the calculation to determine the difficulty of music a band should select. Additionally, it would also be helpful to allow directors more flexibility by selecting music outside their given classification. This would place more trust in the hands of directors that know what is best for their students. Regardless of the solution, the end goal is to address the achievement gap

music to bring to performance evaluation. I appreciate every phone call they answered, every recommendation, and all the nuggets of wisdom they tossed my way. This study could be read as a cautionary tale against sharing our experiences with each other, because many of the opinions we share are not necessarily supported by data. But, this could not be farther from what the profession needs. There is value in deriving conclusions based upon real world experience. All the support and mentorship I received changed the way I approached selecting music. It made me think critically about the process and all the facets that could affect educational outcomes. But, most importantly, my mentors made me feel supported and justified as I made these difficult decisions. As a profession, I can think of nothing more important than continuing to share our experience and knowledge with each other, even if we occasionally pass along advice that might turn out to be a myth.

shown above and support programs that have the greatest need. FINAL THOUGHTS Reflecting back on my own experience as a high school band director, I would not have been successful without the help of many great mentors. They were always willing to share their tremendous knowledge and wisdom as I selected WINT ER 2024

PERSPECTIVE

RETIREMENT POSTS:

HEARTFELT REFLECTIONS ON TRANSITIONING TO LIFE BEYOND THE BAND ROOM

BY DAVID AYDELOTT

fter penning some

I'm proud of it. I'm from the country,

heartfelt reflections

y'all, from a blank spot on the Verizon

on Facebook about

coverage map. And although I had

transitioning to

some disadvantages being from a

retired life a few

rural area,

months ago, I never dreamed they'd be published in the NBA Journal. I’m

I was highly fortunate in some

excited to share this with the band

crucial ways. I had parents that

community and grateful to Professors

expected me to do well, who

Randall Coleman and Dr. Matthew

demonstrated hard work, and who

Talbert for the opportunity.

raised me around music. I could sightsing from the shaped note hymnal

RETIREMENT POST #1: FROM THE COUNTRY I've been hesitant to post about my retirement. (I didn't want to ask Chat GPT to write it for me. lol.) It's a lot, as they say, lots of people, lots of successes, some disappointments, and lots of incredible students, parents, and colleagues. And for much of my career, band time was family time, even before the kids joined and my wife Renee became a band parent. So, it's not an easy topic for a single Facebook post, so I will write a series of posts instead. How many? I have no idea. I didn't have the longest career, but 80

before I started band in 6th grade. I had an incredibly enthusiastic young high school band director, Fred Barlow, who helped all of us in the Hickman County, Tennessee, band program to broaden our perspective, and among other things, encouraged me to audition for the first Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts. And last but not least, I had a high school friend group that also loved band, and four of us went on to become band directors. RETIREMENT POST #2: WORLDS COLLIDING For most of my career, my band world was also my family world.

David Aydelott is a recently retired band director in Tennessee. Mr. Aydelott taught high school bands in Tennessee at Lexington, John Overton, Ravenwood, Franklin, and Siegel for 29 years. Additionally, he was the Director of Fine Arts in the Williamson County Tennessee School District for two years. A recipient of the NBA's Certificate of Merit and the Citation of Excellence, Mr. Aydelott is an active clinician and arranger and has served as an adjudicator for DCI and BOA. Music for All named David Aydelott to the "Forty for Forty." In December 2014, the John Philip Sousa Foundation named Mr. Aydelott a Laureate of the Bandworld "Legion of Honor." Mr. Aydelott has held leadership positions in professional music education associations and served two years as a member of the Education Council for the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife Renee have two children, Katherine and Meredith.

Before the girls were in band and my wife was also a band parent (insert George Costanza "worlds colliding" reference), Renee brought the girls to pretty much every band event. Katherine's first band contest was in Milan, Tennessee (Pete Evans was the director there, a legendary Tennessee bandmaster), when she was about six Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PERSPECTIVE Retirement Posts ..., David Aydelott weeks old. Meredith was born on the

in the middle of a talent show solo

worry about, but for now, I'm going

same day as Overton's 1998

performance, or knowing that in 2013

to enjoy this ... is blissful the correct

Christmas Concert. My sincere

Renee was shouldering the weight of

adjective here? ... time.

apologies to Jo Ann Hood, my

the world when both her parents died

colleague at the time. Both girls

made my problems seem a little petty.

RETIREMENT POST #4:

were in band at Franklin, taking

Our family world gave me the strength

IMPERMANENCE

lessons, participating in Solo and

to persevere, to carry the fire in our

When you're a high school band

Ensemble, All Mid-State, and

band world ("Carry the fire is a line

director trying to achieve at a high

such, and both did summer music

from Cormac McCarthy's The Road).

level, you feel the weight of the world

camps and were SWAGs at the Music for All Summer Symposium.

almost all the time, the feeling that So I'm sorry, George Costanza. I'm glad my worlds collided!

Renee was indispensable,

you alone bear the responsibility for the program. But a profound realization struck me when I left

helping with vision, spreadsheets,

RETIREMENT POST #3: IS BLISSFUL

school for the last time. It was the end

communication, and being a sounding

THE CORRECT ADJECTIVE?

for me, but not the end for everyone

board for decisions of all magnitudes.

For the most part, the first month

else. As I was exiting the building,

Both girls are wise beyond their years

of this summer felt the same as all

band kids were organizing lockers.

and helped me better understand the

the summers since my first year

When I drove through the parking

student experience, and I became a

of teaching. But the last few days

lot, athletes were working out in the

more empathetic teacher.

have felt VERY different. I'm not

stadium. For over 30 years, I was a

We celebrated dozens of birthdays

sure about all the other teachers

part of public education, but it existed

and anniversaries at All Mid-State

out there, but before the start of a

way before me and will continue long

Auditions, All Mid-State

new year, my brain would occupy

past my last day.

Concerts, TMEA Conferences, and

itself with questions, anticipation,

back-to-school events. Things didn't

worry, existential dread, sleepless

A teaching career is a bit like a

always work out as planned, but often

nights, and more dread. I wanted to

canoe trip. Your schooling equips you

the result was more than we could've

be prepared, so I spent a lot of time

with a vessel, paddles, and a basic

hoped for.

thinking through all the "what-ifs," so

idea of using your tools. But lacking

I could respond and not miss a beat

experience, it doesn't take long before

We went through it together,

when the time came. Mulling over all

you tip the canoe over or run aground.

all the joys and heartbreaks. The

those potential problems beforehand

That's okay. That's how you truly learn

joys were great, like a big bowl

certainly allowed me to do my job

to navigate the waters. In time, you

of ice cream. We celebrated and

better. Yet, it came at a cost because

learn how to feel the canoe, predict its

took pictures. I'm delighted they

I'd be deep in thought on Sunday

direction, and glide around and over

happened. But we learned and

evening instead of enjoying my time

most obstacles.

grew from the heartbreaks and

with Renee and the girls. But now, that

the struggles. Struggles like seeing

dread is gone. And it's great.

Katherine transpose a bassoon solo mid-performance in rainy 40-degree

When you put in, you're joining something that already exists,

I'm still a rookie at retirement, and

something you didn't create or fully

weather or watching unflappable

I expect that my calendar will begin

understand. You are in the water

9th-grade Meredith ask for a line

to fill and there will be more things to

for a time, with all the beauty,

WINT ER 2024

Continued on next page

PERSPECTIVE Retirement Posts ..., David Aydelott current, wonder, impediments, fear, backwater, and excitement that goes

RETIREMENT POST #5: AUGUST Renee and I were talking the other

feel like to you? Heat, humidity, and

with it. When your trip is over, you

day, and I asked, "What does August

the optimism of newly sharpened

can recount all the experiences, how

feel like?" I honestly don't know. I can

pencils?

you paddled, and what you saw. But

tell you what April feels like, with its

the river keeps going and will twist

warming temperatures, new life, and

RETIREMENT POST 6: FRIENDS

and turn in ways that are difficult to

the sweetness of fresh blooms. I can

AND MENTORS

predict.

tell you that February feels gray, 37 degrees and drizzling, and empty. But

By outward appearances, the river

what about August? Frankly, I don't

is a monolith. But the truth is that the

know because band camp, school

river changes every moment, led by

starting, the first football game, and

time and gravity, guided by well-worn

all that goes with that grind have

paths, changed by the landscape,

often dulled my senses in August,

and water continually being added

and for much of the rest of the Fall

and subtracted. Likewise, a career in

too. I can't tell you how many times

education is more about innumerable

I wouldn't notice that the leaves had

granular moments than a velvety,

changed colors until November. My

glossed-over thumbnail sketch.

only indicator of Fall's approach was

As society transforms and elected

the inevitable switch from t-shirt to

officials legislate for votes, education's

hoodie. I would become so focused

path gets redirected, and teachers

on work that I'd skip from July 4 to

and administrators must traverse

Thanksgiving, and all the fine points

unfamiliar waters to continue; all the

of late summer's sensations would be

while, students and colleagues come

mixed up into a sort of marching band

and go. Our brains like to make life

season stew.

into simple linear arithmetic where A causes B, B causes C, and so on. But

I started journaling a few years

it's much more complex than that.

ago, and from time to time, I'll go

Unseen variables are always beneath

back and read my monthly entries.

the surface, changing the current and

And, like February, August has been

making the journey unpredictable.

a rough month for me. August has

I was in the canoe for a time, paddling

given me migraines, lousy sleep, poor

and trying my best not to tip over. I

diet, lack of exercise, and lots of hot,

saw more than my share of beautiful

hard work. But just as February begets

sights and went through some rough

March and April and the return of

waters. And when I reached the shore

hummingbirds, August begets the

and left my vessel, the river flowed on.

excitement of Friday night kettle corn

It feels good to know that school keeps

and Saturday tailgates and the pride of

going, even though I won't be going

watching students grow and thrive.

back to school. 82

So dear readers, what does August

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." I've had some great friends, colleagues, and mentors during my career. I've been lucky to have people who helped me along the way and held me accountable when I needed it. I worked in the same building with a few of them and some of them and even shared an office with a handful too. Some of my professional best friends live miles away, and we must rely on text and Snapchat to stay in touch. (For my aged friends, don't overlook Snapchat. It's a lot of fun. Also, by saying that, I just made Snapchat less appealing to our youth.) By nature, I'm an introvert. I recharge my batteries by being alone. I've worked with folks who are the opposite, who need to be around people to get back their energy, and that was awkward at times, to say the least. (By awkward, I mean contentious, combative, hostile, feisty...) But being an introvert doesn't mean I always want to fly solo; otherwise, I'd go feral. I need to be around people that I like and admire. They help me get out of my head. They give me context and perspective. They inspire me. Continued on next page

NBA JOURNAL

PERSPECTIVE Retirement Posts ..., David Aydelott Nowadays, when I see young teachers that keep their heads down

you get through it. If you do those

and society doesn't make it any easier.

things, you'll go far!

Bands, usually comically bad ones, are

and try their best not to be noticed, I

one of the go-to tropes of any teenage

worry for them. I was lucky enough to

RETIREMENT POST #7: WHERE

movie or TV show. And just the day-

work with Jo Ann Hood for six years. If

COULD I FIND MORE SPLENDID

to-day of being in band is challenging.

you work with Jo Ann, there's no place

COMPANY?

"Hey, wanna go to Sonic with me?",

to hide. (Iykyk. She's like the house

I wouldn't have made it past my

said one teen to another. "No, I've

guest that walks right in and starts

first year without Ken and Dianne

got to carry this tuba around for the

sorting through your junk drawer.)

Reed. Mr. and Mrs. Reed both worked

next two hours after school," replied

Much to my introvert's chagrin, Jo

at Beaver School in Henderson

the other. Like the students involved

Ann thrust me out in front of people

County, he as principal and she as a

in athletics, committing to a band

and into the light. As a relatively

teacher. Mr. Reed was band booster

program means delaying gratification.

young director, there's no greater fear

president at my first job in Lexington,

It means choosing practice over Sonic.

than rehearsing your first Grade VI

Tennessee. I was struggling with

Unlike athletics, in most schools,

work with Jo Ann Hood, Rick Murphy,

making decisions, a brand new

kids in band don't receive the same

and Bill Hull watching. Talk about

teacher trying to please everyone.

extrinsic praise and admiration from

different perspectives. How do you

That never works. (As an aside,

their student cohorts. Band kids are

balance Bill Hull's comments about

shouldn't we have classes in decision-

there for something else. Maybe it's

3rd clarinet intonation on the and of

making, especially for people who

a love interest (lol); perhaps they've

3 in measure 37 with Rick Murphy

will lead organizations? That would

found a community that fits them;

shouting, "More lilt?!" Ouch, I needed

be very helpful.) Anyway, mired in a

maybe they love music.

a moment after that one. Of course,

back-and-forth about something

that rehearsal ended with a big hug

I can't recall, I got a handwritten card

from Jo Ann and some incredible

from them with a piece of advice

isn't just a feeling. Loving music

words of encouragement. She

I use today. I didn't save the card,

means having the discipline to sit in

performed surgery on me, removing

unfortunately. At the time, I didn't

a practice room by yourself for hours

flaws and putting me back together.

realize that it would be one of the

in pursuit of ever-elusive perfection.

I'll always be grateful for that. If young

most profound bits of advice anyone

It means confronting deep fears of

folks are reading this, find your own Jo

would give me about teaching. It said

failure and public embarrassment. It

Ann Hood. (Or just call her, and

that you couldn't please everyone,

means balancing technical proficiency

whatever she says, trust and obey.)

that every teacher worth their salt

with artistic vision. (By the way, I

always has someone mad at them,

understand that the corpus callosum

Regardless, I'm grateful to have

and that I should do what I think is

is larger in musicians. That'll get you a

worked with some incredible humans.

best for the band. After that sank

date for sure.)

I won't name all the names here,

in, I felt simultaneously relieved

but I do have to thank Jo Ann Hood

and empowered. Mr. and Mrs. Reed

Doesn't society need the qualities

and Rick Murphy. Thanks, Jo Ann

have passed away, but I will always

that make a great high school band

and Rick! Young teachers, go and get

appreciate their guidance.

student? Committed, cooperative,

yourselves a mentor and find some good teacher friends to help

disciplined, artistic, creative, Band students are a special lot. For a kid, often it's hard to be in band,

WINT ER 2024

And while we're here, loving music

intrinsically motivated? I've been lucky to spend my teaching career Continued on next page

PERSPECTIVE Retirement Posts ..., David Aydelott around these people. Many of them

I wouldn't have made it without band

have gone on to pursue music as a

parents. I can't name everyone, and

career, but most have not. That's okay.

I'm sure I've missed saying "thank

I hope their experience compels them

you" an embarrassing number of

to support the arts regardless of their

times. Like Ken and Dianne Reed,

profession. As the legendary coach

band parents helped with providing

John Wooden would say, "Where could

counsel and insight, babysitting when

I find more splendid company?"

our kids were young (We wouldn't have survived the 1999-2000 school

If band students are a special

year without Helen and Lloyd Stanley,

lot, then how do I describe band

two wonderful parents at John

parents? "Hey, can you build 11 giant

Overton), love and support in our hard

star props that can be moved by

times (especially when Renee had her

students while being heavy enough

stroke), deep friendship, and precious

to withstand wind gusts inside a

time together that I will treasure

stadium?" Or "Can anyone make a

forever. Where could I find more

bunch of 12 foot wearable robot props

splendid company?

that imitate human movement that will be worn by teenagers weighing 100 pounds?" Or "We're getting 30 students we didn't plan for so we need to raise $30,000 in the next month to purchase additional uniforms." Or “We don’t own a single concert band instrument. We need to raise a large amount of money to fix that.” Those are all real examples of miraculous feats performed by band parents in my career. Every band I've taught has had incredible band parents who balanced volunteering with their fulltime occupations. Parents who sew flags, manage logistics of band travel, work in concessions, chaperone, write and execute non-profit by-laws with a small business's bottom line, and feed and water teenagers are parents who demonstrate to their children what love and sacrifice really mean. And on a personal note, Renee and 84

NBA JOURNAL

SUBMITTING PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH

HOW TO SUBMIT PEERREVIEWED RESEARCH ARTICLES TO THE NBA JOURNAL

BY MATTHEW TALBERT

he difference between a

combining the findings of those

peer- reviewed research

previous articles and the author’s

article and the articles

own experiences, experiments,

traditionally published

or observations. In building the

in the NBA Journal

article in this way, the validity of the

is best described as a difference

information is heightened beyond the

Matthew Talbert is Associate Professor of

in the vetting process and source

traditional article. These articles are

Music Education and Director of the School of

material. To have an article appear as

also of extraordinary value as they

Music at Ohio University.

“peer-reviewed” in the NBA Journal

may also impact the way the reader

means recognized researchers and

approaches the subject material in

scholars in the field of music/music

a potentially more generalizable

education will read, evaluate, and

way. When incorporating the peer-

then recommend whether or not an

review process, the an author’s article

article should be published, revised

now has a final layer of review (for

or rejected. This process is widely

accuracy) utilizing other experts

recognized as an indicator of quality

within the same subject matter.

scholarship in a particular discipline or field. Other names for these

The Traditional Research Layout and

types of articles are “scholarly” or

Value of the Research Article

“refereed.” Dr. Russell Gavin, former chair A traditional NBA Journal article

of NBA’s Research (and Editorial)

is most often written from the

committees, shares his thoughts on

perspective of the author’s unique

the layout and value of these types of

experiences in life, music, and/

articles:

or the profession. These articles are of extraordinary value, as they

A number of peer-reviewed

often present a number of ideas that

research articles may read

have been effective for the author

like other articles found in the

and may also be effective for the

NBA Journal, with the author

reader. A research article is most

outlining their thoughts on a

often written as a continuation of

subject while using citations to

ideas presented in previous articles,

support the premise of the issue

with the motivation drawn from

being discussed. Other research

WINT ER 2024

Talbert earned a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of South Carolina (2012), a Master of Music in Music Education from Appalachian State University (2005), and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Appalachian State University (2004).

articles will take on a bit more of a scientific approach. These articles begin with a review of literature summarizing the research on the topic that already exists, while simultaneously presenting the reader with the rationale driving the current article. A method section follows, describing what actually happened in the research, then a results and analysis section(s) describing what the researcher found, if anything. The article closes with a discussion of the findings and how they may relate to the world. The article concludes with a list of references from which the author drew Continued on next page

SUBMITTING PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH How to Submit Peer-Reviewed Research to the NBA Journal, Matthew Talbert, cont.

information and ideas. If you are inexperienced at

email to the Chair of the Editorial

Booth, Gregory Colomb, Joseph

Committee, Brian Silvey at

M. Williams, and the University

silveyba@missouri.edu

of Chicago Press Editorial Staff,

reading research articles, you

2018).

may want to read the discussion

B. Length: The manuscript should

section first. This part of the

not exceed 25 pages and should

Note: Authors may not combine

article will explain how the

include an abstract of 100-150 words

and/or mix styles within a single

information found in the rest

in length on a separate page. We

manuscript

of the article may impact you

encourage the submission of short

and others in the article subject

form articles (4-10 pages) as well as

E. Tables and Figures: Tables

community. Oftentimes this is the

full-length articles.

and figures may be included

place where practical ideas will be

with the manuscript, however,

most clearly expressed; however,

C. Cover Page: To ensure

these must be publishable in

taking in the entire article will

anonymity in the review process,

black and white. It is the author’s

always give a much clearer view of

the manuscript should contain no

responsibility to make sure any

what the author was attempting to

clues as to the author’s institutional

tables/figures are checked for

express.

affiliation or identity. Author’s

accuracy before submission.

name(s), address, institution

Additionally, if any copyrighted

affiliations, and pertinent

materials are submitted, it is the

research article is adding to the

information should be listed on a

author’s responsibility to provide

research that came before it.

separate cover page at the beginning

documentation allowing the

This continuation and growth of

of the submission. The cover page

reproduction of these materials.

knowledge is one of the defining

should also include up to five

characteristics of this kind of

keywords/phrases that describe the

F. Ethical Requirements: It is the

inquiry. At the end of the article,

contents of the manuscript.

author’s responsibility to ensure

As mentioned above, an ideal

the reader is left with information

that no copyright issues have

that is not only new to them, but

D. Style Guide: Manuscripts should

been violated by the submission,

simultaneously new to the world.

conform to one of the following

including images, charts, etc.

This level of investigation is of

style manuals:

Manuscripts already published in

paramount importance in all

other journals can be submitted

areas of music and education, and

(1) Publication Manual of

for consideration in the NBA

the NBA is proud to present this

the American Psychological

Journal providing the author has

new avenue for such exploration

Association (7th edition, 2019),

permission to do so.

and thought. Guidelines for Submission of Peer-

(2) The Chicago Manual of

Questions about submitting a peer-

Style(17th edition, 2017), or

reviewed article? Email Research

Review Research Articles

Chair Brian Silvey at (3) A Manual for Writers of

A. Submission Method:

Term Papers, Theses, and

Manuscripts should be submitted

Dissertations (K. L. Turabian,

as Microsoft Word attachments via

9th edition, revised by Wayne C.

SILVEYBA@MISSOURI.EDU.

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WINT ER 2024

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