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South Carolina Band Directors Association

SCBDA "Team Members"

Thanksgiving is a true American holiday. When I say that, I mean that it is not celebrated anywhere else in the world. It is unique to this country and perhaps is symbolic of this nation. Putting aside our differences to meet a common goal was how the first settlers to this country were able to survive and that spirit has made us strong for over two hundred years.

The South Carolina Band Directors Association has met the challenge for the past 61 years, and we have survived because we were also able to forget our differences and pursue a common goal. The association has grown over the years because of the efforts of those who came before us. It is our responsibility to continue the struggle.

When the association first started there were only a few directors, and they didn't teach instrumental music as a class during the school day. They taught their students after school and most existed with zero budget. The first concert festival had only 3 participants. The first marching championships had all the bands perform on the same day at a single site. Today we have over 240 bands participating in Concert Festival and 119 bands registered for the Marching Championships. Our All-State Band has grown from a single ensemble of students selected to participate by their directors, to our current system, based on competitive audition, that sponsors 3 All-State Bands and 15 Region Bands. We have tens of thousands of students involved in our activities and in the programs of our members.

I am "Optimistic" that we will "BAND TOGETHER" to educate the students of South Carolina.

• To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
• To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
• To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
• To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
• To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
• To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
• To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
• To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

The Optimist Creed was authored in 1912 by Christian D. Larson, an advocate of positive thought. It was adopted as Optimist International's creed in 1922.

Glenn C. Price, President
South Carolina Band Directors Association