Bandmasters Review An Educational Publication of the Texas Bandmasters Association Happy NewYear 2012-13 Patron Sponsor MARCHING SHOW December 2012 • Volume 14, Issue 2 CONCEPTS Professional Development Outreach Program Presented by Texas Bandmasters Association for directors. CPE Credit offered. Register on site on the day of the clinic. Check the TBA website for updates. Sponsors: Vertical Alignment in the Band Hall: Methods, Strategies, and Curriculum to Energize Your Band • David Brandon • January 26, 2013 • Lindale High School Preparing for Success at UIL Contest • Michael Brashear, Brian Merrill • February 25, 2013 • United ISD, Laredo The Midwest Clinic Performances Congratulations to these Texas schools on their performance at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago this month! Bands Chamber Ensembles Cinco Ranch Junior High Honors Band Shadow Ridge Middle School Haltom High School Percussion Ensemble Rory Davis, director Honor Winds Rene Rosas, director Katy, TX Chris Meredith, director Haltom City, TX Flower Mound, TX Faubion Middle School Henry Middle School Trombone Ensemble Symphonic l Band The Woodlands High School Robert T. Herrings III, conductor Brian Beck and Brittney Williams, Wind Ensemble Ryan M. Staten and Rachel A. Lynn, directors Joni Perez, director assistant conductors McKinney, TX The Woodlands, TX Cedar Park, TX Lone Star Wind Orchestra University of Houston Moores School Keller High School Chamber Winds Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Wind Ensemble Darla McBryde, director music director and conductor David Bertman, director Keller, TX Dallas, TX Houston, TX McCallum Knights of Steel Marcus High School Wind Symphony Matt Ehlers, director Amanda Drinkwater, director Austin, TX Flower Mound, TX Westwood Percussion Ensemble Sarah Santa Cruz, director Austin, TX Bandmasters Review An Educational Publication of the Texas Bandmasters Association Features TBA News Inside Inside front cover The Midwest Clinic Performances front cover Professional Development Outreach Program 9 Developing Positive Practice Habits by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser 3 From the Board 10 The National Association of Military by Richard Herrera, 2012-13 TBA President Elect Marching Band Contest 5 From the Board by Steven Moore, 2012-13 TBA Treasureer 11 Life Is Short. Do What Matters. by Randy T. Gilmore 6 Proud Of Texas Bands! by Michael Brashear, Executive Director 13 Teaching Musicianship in Band by Fred J. Allen 22 What Would You Like To See At The 2013 Convention/Clinic? 17 Clinicians: What Are They Good For? 22 2012-13 Region Representatives by Merlin “Pat” Patterson, Randy Vaughn 23 Getting “That Sound” by David Brandon 27 Trumpet Fundamentals by Will Strieder 32 Congratulations to the UIL Marching Contest State HappyHolidays Champs from the Texas Bandmasters Association TBA publishes these educational articles for your use in the classroom and rehearsal hall and to share with your students as you wish. The opinions and teaching methods are those of the authors and not necessarily shared by all members of the TBA staff and Board of Directors. BANDMASTERS REVIEW is an educational publication of the Texas Bandmasters Association. The magazine’s purpose is to assist TBA members in achieving the highest standards of instrumental music education. BANDMASTERS REVIEW is a quarterly publication and is mailed to current Active/Retired and Business Members of TBA. If your address has changed, please contact the Texas Bandmasters Association office: 1002 Central Parkway South, San Antonio, TX 78232 Ph: (210) 492-8878 Fax: (210) 492-8996 www.texasbandmasters.org Bandmasters Review • December 2012 1 Texas Bandmasters Association Bandmasters Review • December 2012 2 Texas Bandmasters Association Texas Bandmasters Association From the Board 2012-13 Board of Directors Richard Herrera, 2012-13 TBA President Elect Alfredo Vélez III President Lone Star College-Kingwood Each year I have served on the TBA of the best ways to facilitate this is by 20000 Kingwood Drive Kingwood, TX 77339-3801 Board of Directors has been a memorable having each band member evaluate the 281-318-4335 [email protected] experience. Being Vice President last year program after every concert, contest, or Richard Herrera was the most rewarding. It was my privilege grading period. Evaluation can be done President Elect to chair the Malcolm Helm in several different ways Brandeis High School 13011 Kyle Seale Pkwy. Memorial Scholarship. The including a questionnaire, San Antonio, TX 78249 210-397-8300 scholarship is funded by online survey, and [email protected] contributions from TBA group discussion. These Bruce Beach members. Through the techniques create student Vice President Franklin High School generosity of our donors, ownership of the program 900 N. Resler El Paso, TX 79912 the scholarship doubled and encourage them to be 915-832-6608 [email protected] in value from $2000 to involved in the assessment $4000. process. Try calling a Steven Moore Treasurer Twenty-eight outstand- “family meeting” and ask Lindale High School ing men and women for student feedback and P.O. Box 370 Lindale, TX 75771 applied for this scholarship. Each one suggestions. For example, I’m asking 903-881-4140 [email protected] had a wonderful story to share about why students to evaluate our marching season. Jeff King they chose to study music and become One of the most important questions I Secretary educators. Each candidate wrote of their ask is, “What could the band directors Duncanville High School 900 W. Camp Wisdom Road love of music, but more importantly, have done differently in order for the Duncanville, TX 75116 972-708-3732 about the teachers that encouraged and band to achieve our goals? “Will you [email protected] motivated them to pursue a career in get some flippant wisecracking answers? Chico Portillo music education. Sure, that’s part of the process, but for Sergeant-at-Arms Pflugerville ISD Fine Arts Their personal essays caused me to the most part, you will receive valuable 1401 W. Pecan Pflugerville, TX 78660 reflect on how we, as teachers, have feedback. In a beginner band setting, 512-594-0187 [email protected] the potential to empower and inspire you might ask, “What do you feel was young adults. The amount of time spent the most important fundamental we were Tom Harrington Past President with our students has an immeasurable trying to achieve the first six weeks and Spillane Middle School 13403 Woods Spillane Blvd. impact. It’s imperative to be positive role did we achieve it?” You will be surprised Cypress, TX 77429 models to our students. at some of the answers. Either way, you 281-213-1782 [email protected] Students find inspiration and will get incredible responses and perhaps Michael Brashear acceptance in our “band family”. As the realize that you may need to change your Executive Director director you are the head of the family. teaching method or approach. Whether Texas Bandmasters Association 1002 Central Parkway South Each band member needs to “buy in” you take the students advice or not, San Antonio, TX 78232 210-492-8878 to the program. Allow students to be an this will help them feel like they have [email protected] active part of the evaluation process. One a voice in helping the band’s successes. Bandmasters Review • December 2012 3 Texas Bandmasters Association Mission From the Board - Richard Herrera Statement The purpose of the Texas Bandmasters Association, Inc. is to: Due to time restraints, this process does exemplifies what we all should strive for. Continually assist its not have to include the entire band, He wrote, “The musical and educational membership in achieving the highest standards but perhaps only the leadership team. process we provide our students, along of instrumental The more your students are involved in with who we are as a person, is by far more music education. decision making, the more successful they impactful than the end musical product.” uuu are in every rehearsal and performance Fred hit the nail on the head with that Promote the place venue. Successful directors evaluate their statement and a sentiment we should all and value of music program on a daily basis. The students live by as educators! Continue to remain education in our society should evaluate themselves daily as well a positive role model, a consummate and the important role instrumental music plays with director guidance. This is a recipe professional, and most importantly, an in our cultural, intellectual, for success. inspiration to your students. You never and social lives. I hope you have had a successful first know who will one day write about you uuu few weeks of school and have impacted as their inspiration of a positive educator. Foster goodwill, the lives of many students. TBA President I wish you continued success throughout fellowship and a collegial, Fred Vélez wrote the following which the year. fraternal spirit among its members. uuu Provide its membership with an annual Convention/Clinic which introduces new music, tried and proven teaching methods and materials as well as instruments and equipment. uuu Provide Educational Publications of instructional 2013 TBA Convention/Clinic methods and materials for TBA members and Sunday through Wednesday, July 21-24. aid them with their personal development Online Membership, Registration, and and leadership. Housing opens February 11, 2013. uuu Provide information for the university music student preparing to become a band director. Bandmasters Review • December 2012 4 Texas Bandmasters Association From the Board Steven Moore, 2012-13 TBA Treasurer Greetings to all from the TBA Board. Happy encourage you to be visible in your community during Holidays! this time. Not only with your annual Christmas or By the time you read this article, my high school Winter Concert but by going out into your community colleagues will have made the transition from marching and performing at the mall, elementary schools, band to concert band with many of you having enjoyed community events or nursing homes.