A letter from the President
of the SCBDA, Tom Finigan.

Other Letters

"My First Time"

How many of you remember the first time you played your instrument in band class? You probably did not sound very good but it was exciting and new! How many of you remember the first time you got really excited about performing in front of an audience? It may have been your first concert or ball game and you were pumped! How many of you remember the first time you got in front of a band (probably during student teaching) and you were shaking? By the way for all of you rookie teachers - Some of us still have that feeling after years of teaching! How many of you remember your first piece of Bojangles Chicken? OOPS Sorry, I got off track there……

My point is, I had one of those First Time Experiences this past December in Chicago at the 2003 Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic. All I could say was “I had no idea?” Many of you in our association had told me what a wonderful experience it is to go this event. This clinic is truly the Super Bowl of Music Conventions. Mid-West has it all. This year over 14,000 band and orchestra directors attended and the budget for the convention is near $1 million dollars. They have FIVE exhibit halls that deal with every facet of music education. The performing groups are outstanding. The clinics are always standing room only! I was astonished with the whole experience.

My only regret is that I wish I had attended many years ago. If I had been exposed to this early in my career, I know that I would have benefited from it. I truly believe that every band director should attend at least once in their first five years of teaching; if not more. I know many directors that budget this trip into their band budgets and when districts want staff development hours for band directors…well there you go! If you ever get the chance to go – please attend! It will definitely recharge your batteries and give you some new ideas and you will get to hear some of the best bands in the United States.

I must also mention that South Carolina was well represented at this year’s Mid-West. We are very proud of Les Hicken and his very informative clinic he did with the members of the Woodlands HS Wind Ensemble from Texas. Also congratulations go to Mark Britt and The Palmetto Pousan on an outstanding performance.

I also want to mention that one of our own members is now a published author. Mr. Scott Rush debuted his book “Habits of a Successful Band Director” at this year’s clinic and was there to sign copies of this text. I purchased a copy but unfortunately they sold out. I promised Scott I would let all of you know how you could a copy of this informative guide. I have read thru it and its practical for a young teacher as well a veteran band director. Congrats to Scott!

Finally I want to encourage you to make plans to attend the 2004 SCMEA In-Service Conference at the North Charleston Convention Center, February 5-7. Michael Foxworth has done a great job planning an outstanding convention and has many fine performing groups planned. For more information about the convention and the convention center check out our Convention link on BandLink. I have also added links to pre-register for the convention and to make reservations. If you have problems with reservations at the Embassy Suites, don’t sweat it. There is a block of rooms reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is now connected to the convention center via the boardwalk. Please let me or Michael know if you need our assistance in your convention planning.

In closing, please remember to meet all deadlines. We are all very busy but we must do things on time! Remember that our business meeting is Saturday, February 7. All SCBDA business is to be conducted at this important meeting.

Good luck to all of you in the coming months with your musicians and performing groups. If I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to contact me. We make a positive impact on our students every day! Don’t forget how important you are in their music education.

Tom Finigan, President
South Carolina Band Directors Association