Doing the Business at Hand 7

South Carolina Band Directors Association

SCBDA "Team Members"

"Doing The Business At Hand!"

In the spring of 1871, a young man picked up a book and read twenty-one words that had a profound effect on his future. As a medical student at the Montreal General Hospital, he was worried about what to do, where to go, how to build a practice, and how to make a living.

The twenty-one words that this young medical student read in 1871 helped him to become the most famous physician of his generation. He organized the world-famous Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He became Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford - the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any medical man in the British Empire. He was knighted by the King of England. When he died, two huge volumes containing 1466 pages were required to tell the story of his life.

His name was Sir William Osler. Here are the twenty-one words from Thomas Carlyle that helped him lead a life free from worry: "Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand."

(Taken from How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, by Dale Carnegie)

As Band Directors it seems that we never have the opportunity to work in the present. We are always planning for that next performance, audition, clinic, etc. I also know that our work loads seem overwhelming, but if we are going to make changes for our profession, we need to do "what lies clearly at hand."

SCBDA Project List - "The Business At Hand"

SCMEA In-Service Conference - Featuring Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

The 1998 In-Service Conference will be one of the best ever. We plan to unveil several "New" Public Relations Projects and present several outstanding performances, clinics, and "The Most Motivating Speaker on Planet Earth," Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser. Call TODAY and get your room at the Hyatt-Regency (864-235-1234) in Greenville for the SCMEA In-Service Conference on February 12-14, 1998.

The Public Relations Fund

The SCBDA Public Relations Committee is doing all they can to promote instrumental music in South Carolina, but we will NOT use our operating budget to fund these projects. We need your support! Allocate money toward this project - maybe larger schools could afford $100, middle schools $25? 100% participation is more important than how much you can give. Send your checks payable to the SCBDA Public Relations Fund. Mail your contribution to:

Public Relations Fund
c/o Ms. Lorraine Paris
2000 Johnstone Street
Newberry, SC 29108

Alumni Associations

If you don’t already have an Alumni Association for your band program, then find a volunteer to get one going. The next project of the Public Relations Committee will be to identify every former band student in South Carolina. We will be unveiling the "Where Are You?" Campaign in the next few weeks and we will be collecting data that could be very useful to you and your program.

Community Bands

The SCBDA will soon begin the COMMUNITY BAND PROJECT. Did you know that the state of Minnesota has a population of 4,300,000+ people and has 105 Community Bands. South Carolina, with a population of 3,500,000+, only has 9 Community Bands. We are about to start planting "Community Bands Seeds!" The adults of this state need an opportunity to continue! We will be asking directors to help us identify those communities that are interested in developing a band? Who would be willing to provide the rehearsal space and contribute the time to begin an adult band program?

Let’s "BAND" together! We do make a difference because "Music Is Instrumental To Success!"

Glenn C. Price, President
South Carolina Band Directors Association