Greetings! The opportunity to reflect on this past years accomplishments and shortcomings should make assessments valuable. One of the most satisfying and beneficial aspects about being a band director is that we have the chance to improve and start anew each school year. Just like our fine business partners, we evaluate what has worked well and what needs to change. Even though that change may involve us, it brings different challenges to our teaching profession and band program success. The culmination of positive change benefits our aspiring musicians and band programs.

Offering opportunities to improve knowledge of instrumental pedagogy and the art of teaching band especially at the summer convention is what our remarkable organization is all about. The annual TBA Convention/Clinic is set for July 20-23, 2007 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. You need to attend and recharge the proverbial batteries. If you have a family, make this convention an enjoyable vacation. They can enjoy San Antonio and its many fun attractions such as the Riverwalk, Sea World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, numerous museums, and a supervised TBA game room for teens right here in the Convention Center.

Highlighting our convention this summer will be the Friday opening performance with "The Presidents Own", The United States Marine Band, under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Colburn. On Saturday, virtuoso musicians of "The Presidents Own" will perform in an intimate small ensemble setting. TBA extends its gratitude to the United States government and Marine Corps for these presentations. Please see pages 18-24 for a schedule of Convention/Clinic events including all of the concert performances.

The TBA Board of Directors and Al Sturchio, our Executive Director, have prepared an exciting and educational convention. There will be over fifty clinics and several concerts to provide you with the best of music, clinicians, and educational tools. The clinics are based on the how to approach to deal with todays teaching challenges. It is precisely these clinics that motivate the new and experienced band directors to instill a passion for music to students and musicians of all ages. What better invitation can we offer our students? Live music is our desired end result. After teaching thirty-seven years, I still learn from our clinicians at TBA. I hope I never get to the point where I know it all.

Additionally, the incredible support of our sustaining and exhibitor members has again surfaced by reserving more than five hundred and seventy booths to display products and services that are associated with our business. Please spend time visiting the businesses who come to the Convention/Clinic and display their wares. Each pays TBA for their booth space. Without the exhibitors, we would not have the productive, valuable convention that we are able to offer each year. Exhibitors are very important to TBA as an organization and to you, as individual band directors. Exhibitors contribute financial support to TBA and educational support to directors. They display the newest equipment and publications for you to evaluate and consider for your students program. The Exhibit Hall will be open on Saturday, 9:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:30 - 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 9:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. and Monday, 9:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon.

TBA is appreciative of our patron sponsor Conn-Selmer and all our sponsors for their support and willingness to come to the largest band director convention in the world. Together we promulgate the existence of bands!

TBA has established a tradition of honoring those that have made a difference for music education during their careers. I am proud to congratulate Rodney Klett as this years Bandmaster of the Year. Meritorious Achievement Honorees are Lee Boyd Montgomery, Jr., John H. Pearson, and Val Rose. The Lifetime Administrator Achievement Award goes to Al Sturchio and the Music Industry Award recipient is Dan Ryder. These honorees will be recognized at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 21 in the Lila Cockrell Theatre, just prior to the U.S. Air Force Band of the West concert.

Additional award presentations will be made at the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame sponsored by Phi Beta Mu.

The TBA Spouses Board of Directors has been preparing activities including the annual Luncheon and Fashion Show sponsored by Macys, and coordinated by fashion specialist Donna Muslin on Saturday. Later that day, there will be a jewelry design seminar by Baubles, Bangles and Beads and Ms. Muslins seminar on putting together a stylish look.

This years convention promises to be another fun filled activity for all. Please check our web site for registration and convention planning. The TBA enhanced web site received more than 41,000 visits and close to 86,000 page views in May.

If you are looking for a job, check the Job Bank. Many interviews and job placements take place at TBA.

The Board of Directors and staff are eager to see you this summer at the Texas Bandmasters Association annual Convention/Clinic INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE, DON'T MISS IT!