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South Carolina Band Directors Association

SCBDA "Team Members"

"Count Down To Success"

Here it is! A new beginning! It’s time to learn from the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater accomplishments of the future. As President of the SCBDA, I will try to find opportunities that will allow our association to grow and be successful. I am obviously an advocate of computer technology and the use of the Internet. I have already invested hundreds of hours in an effort to bring the "Communications Age" to your classroom.

As I begin my second year as the SCBDA President, I feel that I must reflect back to last year. For us to grow as an association we must know where we were, where we are, and clearly understand where we need to go. In evaluating my job performance, I am more than a little frustrated. I don’t know if I have had any impact on the association. I not sure that my eagerness for technology is shared by the membership. I even wonder if I should abandon my theme and search for a new direction.

What is my role as the SCBDA President? I believe it to be that of a cheerleader. My job is to recognize your successes and encourage you to greater effort. I have written 17 letters for the SC Band Link in an attempt to offer this inspiration. As we begin a new school year, I want you to reflect on the important message I tried to convey in each of my communications.

President’s Letter #1

The South Carolina Band Directors Association needs to get busy. Without our collective efforts this organization would die an instant death. The SCBDA exists because we as members want it to exist. We need to share our lessons and experiences with everyone that will listen so that every child, in every band program, will learn the greatest lessons of life, "Harmony, Balance, and Blend."

"Music Is Instrumental To Success" - The new South Carolina Band Directors Association slogan just about sums it up. Research is coming out every day that proves what we as professional music educators have known all along; music is a vital component in the development of the human spirit. This thing we call "Music Education" may very well be the most rewarding educational opportunity available to young people today.

President’s Letter #3

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.

President’s Letter #4

The South Carolina Band Directors Association needs to find a way to communicate that will be fast and inexpensive. We have some wonderful plans for this association, but they will require rapid communications. The obvious solution is to use the technology that is available to us now; the SC Band Link.

President’s Letter #5

The South Carolina Band Directors Association exists today only because of the willingness of our membership to contribute their time, energy, and talent. Association members always rise to meet the challenge. When something needs to be done, someone always steps forward to make it happen. Believe it or not, that is one of the qualities that makes our students so successful. Perhaps they learn more from us than music.

President’s Letter #6

Band Directors are the busiest people in any school. I’ll bet we spend more hours at school than anyone, including the principal. Because of the effort of our membership, I can feel a real momentum shift. People are getting excited about instrumental music education. Students, parents, and directors are to be congratulated for making it happen. We can all be proud of what we have accomplished so far, but it is time to move to the next level. This is no time to relax, but a time to do those things to strengthen our individual programs and our association. So, "Let’s Get Busy!"

President’s Letter #7

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."

President’s Letter #8

Have you ever gone into a room and stood helplessly trying to remember why you went there in the first place? Band Directors too often find themselves standing on the podium wondering that same question! Why am I here? What do I have to offer my students? Is this why I went to college and studied music? All we really want to do is to get our students to understand the power of music.

President’s Letter #9

Every member of the association should already be seeing the results of our efforts in such things as increased publicity, banners, new computers, the SC Band Link, etc. We need your help and support. Every time "YOU" do something for the SCBDA, "YOU" are "OPENING DOORS" for our future?"

President’s Letter #10

We’ve heard all the jargon, and we all approve of the statistical evidence being put before the public that supports our programs. Statistics can be wonderful, but it’s time for us to put the faces with the numbers. We know that being in the band will make you a better person. Now let’s show it! Let’s find those people that have benefited from our band programs and have them tell their stories! The Public Relations Committee will unveil the "Band Counts!" campaign on Saturday, February 14, 1998. This project is designed to identify EVERY former band member in South Carolina. We plan to create a statewide data base that will allow us to better evaluate the impact we have on the communities we serve.

President’s Letter #11

I ask that every SCBDA member consider the overall needs of the association before the needs of an individual program. I also ask that everyone understand that our problems are largely due to growth. We will make mistakes, but somehow we will continue to move forward because we are an association of friends. Only another Band Director can understand the stress and responsibility of our profession.

President’s Letter #12

This year the will mark the First Annual South Carolina Band Directors Association Jazz Festival and things couldn’t be better. The 28 participating bands will be making history as they become the turning point for Jazz Education in South Carolina.

President’s Letter #13

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.

President’s Letter #14

After the recent Junior and Senior Division Festivals, I had the opportunity to ask our adjudicators what the SCBDA needs to do to improve. All of them were very pleased with both the number and quality of our bands. Dr. Satterwhite, from the University of Georgia, asked me to relay this message to you. He said, "I am very impressed with the work you and your other SCBDA members are doing. My have things changed in the last few years. Please convey my highest respect to all of your members and give them my encouragement to keep on keeping on."

President’s Letter #15

The evidence shows that our band programs are catching up with the best in the nation, and let me also assure you that the we will continue to improve. We are experiencing unimagined growth in our programs; both in numbers of participants and in quality of performance. As an association we are experiencing the growing pains that are the direct result of quality teaching.

President’s Letter #16

As Band Directors we must have high expectations, be demanding, and never give into the "Free Day Syndrome!" Our students will thrive on the challenges we present them. If you want to have a great band, then expect one! Success is only available to us if we "expect only the best!"

President’s Letter #17

Perhaps we should remember that we share common goals and problems. We must work together! We must share our resources! We must continue to reach out and help each other! "We Are Not Alone!"

I truly hope that we can continue to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes. "We must know where we were, where we are, and clearly understand where we need to go."

God Bless each of you, and good luck in the coming school year!

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

Glenn C. Price, President
South Carolina Band Directors Association