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South Carolina Band Directors Association

SCBDA "Team Members"

"We’re Getting There!"

You’ve just started on your band trip when that voice comes to you from the back of the bus, "Are we there yet?" Our standard reply, "No, but we’re getting there!" never seems to be satisfactory. People are always anxious to arrive. Students and teachers would like to find the easy solution or quick fix to finish the task at hand. Unfortunately, our job as music educators means that we will never arrive. There will always be another performance level that we must work to achieve. We must keep pushing our goals and standards farther and farther out. The students in our programs would surely be confused if they knew the real answer to their question; "Work harder, but we’ll never get there!"

I’ve had the pleasure to attend the Bands of America Summer Symposium for the past several summers, and I am always trying to find out how we stack up with the other programs in the nation. My roommate during all these trips has been Kim Harrison, Director of Bands at Shawnee Mission East High School, in Kansas City, Kansas. (If you’re out there, "Hi Kim! Say hello to Gretchen and the kids for me.") My discussions with Kim and dozens of other directors from across the nation has convinced me that we aren’t doing too badly in South Carolina. Maybe it will be our band programs that finally change our status in the world.

• SC Band Link: Look at the SC Band Link! Wow, what a site! Jeff and Donna Thompson have put us in the lead! I’ve been looking but have been unable to find any state organization with a better Web Page. The "New Look" came online on Sunday, March 8, 1998, and my e-mails reflect a very positive reaction from the membership. The information available to our directors and students over this Internet site is awesome.
• The "Band Counts!" Database: The "Band Counts!" project is designed to identify EVERY former band member in South Carolina. We are building a statewide database that will allow us to better evaluate the impact we have on the communities we serve, and allow former band students to "FIND" the email addresses of their long lost "Band Family."
• First Annual SCBDA Jazz Festival: Last year the membership of the South Carolina Band Directors Association voted to change its by-laws to include a Jazz Committee among its events committees. The resulting First Annual South Carolina Band Directors Association Jazz Festival was a great success.
• Public Relations Committee: The SCBDA Public Relations Committee continues to find ways to champion the cause of Instrumental Music Education. Plans are being implemented now that will inform the public of the effect that music education has on the development of children and ultimately on society itself.
• House Bill 4484: Rep. Becky Meacham, a member of the SC House of Representatives from Fort Mill, has sponsored BILL 4484 that will allow participation in MARCHING BAND to be counted as the REQUIRED PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT students need to receive a High School Diploma. The SCBDA is actively supporting this bill.

It is important that every member of the SCBDA get involved in the activities of our association. Every member is encouraged to seek ways to promote instrumental music education. Members are encouraged to attend committee meetings and to work for the improvement of our association. If we work together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students.

"Are we there yet?"

"No, but we’re getting there!"

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

Glenn C. Price, President
South Carolina Band Directors Association