The school year has begun and those who are teaching are well aware of the amount of time needed to meet this semester's performance goals. Bravo to those who are teaching middle school and beginner bands. You are the spark of your high school band's future. I hope that our retired members are in good health and enjoying life - and deservedly so. Have fun and good luck to all in the joy of making music!

Our TBA Symposium at The University of Texas at El Paso and the Convention/Clinic in San Antonio were both held this summer. The Symposium was a positive experience for all. We thank Dr. Lowell Graham, chairman of the Music Department at UTEP for his first class work in helping TBA to bring the Symposium to a venue in that area of the state. The Convention/Clinic, under Immediate Past President Matthew Mclnturf, was the most attended convention to date. We had the following count: 2376 active, 142 retired, 218 student, 372 spouse, 38 booster club, and 341 sustaining members. As I took note of the activity, it was obvious that the vast majority were attending the myriad of clinics presented by our outstanding clinicians and conductors. These clinics were specifically designed to meet the needs of all TBA members - high school and middle school directors, college students and band booster club participants.

I again congratulate TBA 2006 Bandmaster of the Year Richard Floyd for always being a leader and advocate for music education. His presentation at the Convention/Clinic was inspiring to all of us. The 2006-07 school year will bring many challenges regarding the addition of high school math and science courses and a middle/elementary school physical education plan. Band directors have always had to contend with school legislative issues. Today we have issues that require us to be more than band directors. We have to be financial planners and avid advocates for our programs' success and future existence. Please read the article by Thomas Waggoner, TEA Director of Fine Arts in this issue of the Bandmasters Review. This informative article reiterates the need for professional growth through clinics and addresses some of the current issues facing directors. The article includes facts about new legislature regarding curriculum and the earlier start date for 2007-08 school year.

Along with bringing the summer Convention/Clinic to fruition, the TBA Board of Directors and staff are actively engaged in preparing five Professional Development Clinic Opportunities. These will be offered throughout the state to provide our members with CPE credit hours. The clinics are closely related to the "How To" approach of addressing typical rehearsal challenges and give real answers as solutions. Experienced and new directors please take advantage of these offerings! Learn from successful band directors' tried and proven techniques. Please visit our new and improving web site at www texasbandmasters.org for information on these clinics.

The statewide clinics and summer convention could not exist without the wonderful support from our Patron Sponsor Conn-Selmer and all of our fine Sustaining Members you visited in the exhibit area. Presenting the annual convention and covering the everincreasing costs of doing business puts our members and our exhibitors in a unique and close relationship that is largely nurtured by each other's existence. The fact is that we cannot have a band program without instrument and sheet music dealers. Additional vendors are needed depending on the needs of each individual program.

As a TBA member since 1969, I have seen our organization grow and have witnessed my predecessors address cost issues that face TBA and Sustaining Members again today. Everyone will need to make serious budget decisions. Being attentive to our members' and exhibitors' input will help TBA deal with the costs involved in having a viable organization in the year 2007 and beyond.

The 2006-07 Board of Directors will have to adjust to keep TBA the strong band organization it has become. Richard Floyd mentioned that TBA has now "grown up." Well, along with that growth, is the requirement of new solutions for budget adjustments. It is with this in mind that the Board has initiated a review of the TBA dues and convention fee structure. Our membership dues year will continue to be July 1 through June 30. A ticket to the traditional barbecue social will again be included with the Convention/Clinic registration fee.

We look forward to having another increase in attendance at the 2007 Convention/Clinic since the school calendar will begin at a later date next year. All directors and their families will now have more time to come and fully enjoy TBA as a family event since high school marching band directors will not have the added pressure to begin "summer band" in early or mid July. The Convention/Clinic is scheduled for July 20-23, 2007.

Every effort is being made by Al Sturchio, our Executive Director, to get the best price for hotel rooms and convention space. The contractual obligations between TBA and the hotels require a percentage guarantee of room occupancy. Of course, the room rate decreases with the higher number of hotel rooms that TBA can guarantee. (Members certainly can make their own accommodation arrangements if they wish.) All cities have similar arrangements for conventions. Additionally, other cities may have more attractive hotel prices, but an added expense for busing to a convention site becomes a cost factor. Be assured that the TBA Board is always examining the bottom line of our budget. We would not make any decision that is not in our organization's best interest.

We are looking forward to another great year and hope to be a stronger part of your knowledge base through the Professional Development Clinic Opportunities. TBA will continue to stand the test of time as band directors learn from each other for the improvement of their bands and musical performances. Outside the clinics you can learn through casual conversations the "how to" aspects of teaching instruments as well as improving organizational and political skills. In other words, Real Band World 101.

In conclusion, I want to express the Board of Directors' appreciation to Al Sturchio, TBA Executive Director, and the TBA staff: Yolanda Mainez, Alfred Esquivel, and Jan Sturchio. Their work is handled professionally and in a timely and congenial manner.

Thank you for making the Texas Bandmasters Association such an exemplary organization!