A letter from the President
of the SCBDA, Connie Grantham.

Other Letters

"Fall 2002"

There is something about August (and July)…the heat, the humidity, the sweat, and the return of our band students beginning another marching band season. I hope that everyone is off to a great start, and I hope that this will be your most enjoyable and productive year. To our newest members, we welcome you to the finest professional state band association in the country. To those returning, whether it is your second year or thirtieth year, this year will be a fun and challenging year for the SCBDA. Get involved! Be pro-active and be a part of our growth.

I want to remind everyone that our fall meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, 2002 at Ridgeview High School at 2:00. Committee meetings will commence in the morning hours using the following schedule:

It is very important that everyone plan to attend the general meeting. The Executive Board has been working this summer on a "new and improved" proposal for PE credit for marching band to the General Assembly. A grass-roots "kick-off" campaign will be presented with information that is vital to everyone's band program. Make every effort to attend. We are taking a different approach with this campaign. As you know, Becky Richardson-R, Fort Mill, (formally Becky Meacham) sponsored a bill supporting PE credit for marching band three years ago. If was defeated in the House Education Committee and never made it to the General Assembly. We have hired a lobbyist, Mr. Steve Smith of Capital Strategies, who will present a plan that will help us create a strategy for creating a bill and getting it passed. Mr. Smith will be at our fall meeting to speak to the membership. Your involvement as a member of the SCBDA is critical to our "grass-roots" campaign. More detailed information will be distributed on September 7. Please do not pursue anything concerning this matter until we have met with Steve Smith with his recommendations.

You should soon receive an SCBDA directory form for this school year. Please complete this form and return it to Debbie Jordan immediately. This form will also be online, so feel free to complete your information there. This form is due on September 7, 2002. If everyone will be prompt in getting this information to Debbie, our directories can be distributed earlier than in the past years.

I look forward to seeing all of you on September 7. Take care and be careful in the heat!

Musically yours,

Connie Grantham, President
South Carolina Band Directors Association

"Music is Instrumental to Success"