ATSSB April 1997 Newsletter 
Official Publication of the Association of Texas Small School Bands
Volume VI, Number 4
April, 1997

by Ronnie Page

I realize as I begin to write my first column as your president that I have many people to thank for their dedication and efforts on behalf of ATSSB. We had a very successful all-state concert with 'double the fun' this year. Kenneth once again did a marvelous job of having everyone housed and the rooms for tryouts, rehearsals, etc. secured. Neal Sutton and staff did their normal super job with seating auditions. You would never have known that they handled almost twice as many as previous years. Our seating panels gave freely of their time and talents for our small school band students.

As the panels were conducting auditions the band and percussion organizers were preparing rehearsal halls for Thursdays opening rehearsals. The seating areas looked great with all of the students names posted over the stands. This not only helped with seating, but they were also visible from the podium so our clinicians could refer to students by name. Tom Hall, Daniel Aleman, Wayne Dannheim and Thomas Galvez gave their time so unselfishly. Our organizers sacrifice their entire convention attendance so that our all-state students have a positive and organized experience in San Antonio. Bravo! What about those bands and the clinicians? Wow! Thank you Mike Hardy for your sixth year of assistance with those beautiful programs.

Don Stockton is obviously due a rousing ovation for his years of leadership and service to ATSSB. Don, we intend to keep you active in the affairs of ATSSB, not only as a member of the SBOD, but in various advisory capacities. The visions I grasped from you the last two years will benefit the entire organization as it will help me lead in ways I would not have conceived previously. 'Thank you' is just not adequate, but we hope it will be understood to mean all that is deserved.

Dons leaving brings new stock to the Executive Committee in the form of our new President Elect - George Strickland of Glen Rose. Welcome aboard, George! I look forward to our alliance in the ensuing two years. I am sure you will bring new and refreshing insights with you to ATSSB. George will be heading the State Audition Review Committee (SARC) which oversees the entire all-state selection process. If you have any suggestions for improving or streamlining our audition process they should be forwarded to George at Glen Rose. Georges address can be found in the membership directory enclosed. You can be assured that any submissions to the SARC will be investigated thoroughly.

As of this writing all of our current Area Coordinators have agreed to serve ATSSB next year. Having their experience connected with the selection process ensures smooth organization throughout. We each owe our Region and Area Coordinators a great debt of gratitude for the valuable time they spend and the service they provide our students.

Bringing on board the second all-state band generated a lot of enthusiasm this past year. 1997-1998 promises to be just as exciting with the premier of the Outstanding Performance Series. You received a directors packet with this mailing to enter your selection or selections in this process. Your executive committee met on a wintry Sunday afternoon during the Christmas holidays in Clifton at Don Thoedes home to formulate the initial proposal for this program. This proposal was presented to the SBOD in San Antonio and met with overwhelming support.

I asked Don Thoede at the December meeting if he would head up the program the first year if it was approved by the SBOD. I wanted him to organize the entire process with a complete manual to help each succeeding State Chair with the administration in the future. You will see as the program comes to life that Don has done a magnificent job. He has devoted hours that have turned into days and weeks developing the program from the region level through the final audition in San Antonio during TBA. This has been quite a feat in only three months! Don - our hats are off to you in a great big small school salute!

Now lets all get those tapes entered and make this first year a genuine success. It is a simple deduction that the more tapes we have entered the higher quality the end product will be. I wish to personally thank Al Sturchio and the entire state board of the Texas Bandmasters Association for providing us room in the convention center for our final tape auditions.

I am anxious to see the process unfold and hear the performances on that coveted CD! My aspiration is to have the entire CD broadcast on all PRI radio stations, maybe even simultaneously statewide! Wouldnt that be great! If any of you have any connections with PRI or with corporations that you may be able to encourage to underwrite this project - PLEASE CALL or write. We will follow up immediately.

Furthermore regarding next year, I have asked Jennifer Willison to study our complete housing procedure at the Emily Morgan. She has graciously agreed to serve as our first Housing Coordinator. Jennifer will be reshaping the format for check-in/out, supervision, and chaperoning of our all-state students. If you have any concerns along these lines communicate those to Jennifer at her school address in Canadian. You can use the membership roster enclosed in this mailing to find her, or call me, George or Kenneth. A housing coordinator will relieve Kenneth during the time his ship is overloaded and should make the process more pleasant for all involved. Jennifer, we offer our thanks to you in advance!

Having seen a preliminary copy of Kenneths column let me echo his 'soapbox' segment. There have been too many advances made for small school bands in the State of Texas for us to ever consider backing up. In my program we have had four students gain all-state experiences for the first time in its history. In addition the attainable goal of making the all-region band has been a tremendous catalyst for my students as I am sure it has for yours. Small school bands are improving yearly, all of this attributable directly to ATSSB! Your leadership will keep all lines of communication open, but we will defend to the end the rights of class A, AA, and AAA students to participate in an all-state audition process whose destiny is controlled by small school directors!

In closing I would like to say once again how humbled I am to have been elected to serve as president of ATSSB. There are three existing conditions that will make my leadership possible. The first is a superior Executive Secretary. Kenneth is organized and wise beyond comprehension - enough said. Second is our new President-Elect. I have seen Georges leadership abilities and know that we are in good hands. Third is our membership and people like Don Thoede, Jennifer Willison, Mike Hardy, David Smith, (and the list could go on and on) who are willing to answer the call when their time and talents are needed to make our organization fruitful. Thank you for this opportunity. I am prepared now to roll up my sleeves and go to serve you in any way I can.

I hope you each have a rewarding end to your school year and get ready for that well deserved Summer Break.

PS - Check out our new presence on the world wide web at http://www.atssb.org! The site is under construction but already offers a lot. Contact Tim Edins and Dr. Wayne Clark and let them know how much we appreciate their hard work!

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by George Strickland

Thank you for the many words of encouragement and support expressed since my election as President-Elect. I look forward to working for and with you and serving our organization in this capacity. We all owe much appreciation to everyone involved in bringing about an excellent showcase of the 1997 All-State Bands. As an ATSSB member, band director, and Dad, this years concert will be remembered as a presentation where the students not only played the music, but also strived to express the emotion of each selection through the music.

ATSSB has just completed the first year of our five-year Prescribed Audition List (PAL) for the all-state auditions process. As President-Elect, I will chair the State Audition Review Committee (SARC) that will be appointed shortly after the UIL concert contest season has been completed. The committee will meet in June, prior to the State Board of Directors meeting in July at TBA. Several members and regions have expressed concerns about various audition materials from this past year, including bass trombone scale range and snare drum rudiments. Concern has also been voiced about the instrumentation of the all-state bands. The SARC will review all WRITTEN or E-MAILED suggestions before making its recommendations to the State Board.

As you read this article, many will be involved in concert and sightreading contest, and others will be preparing for festivals, trips, and spring concerts. However, we can see the double bar of the 96-97 school year and can anticipate a few weeks of rest. Take time to reflect on your programs accomplishments and areas for improvement; especially reflect on the lives that you influence. Recommit yourself to providing each student the best possible opportunity to improve self-esteem and increase his/her love of music by participating in your band program. See you this summer in San Antonio.

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by Kenneth L. Griffin

I hope you were as impressed as I with the quality of the two bands this year! Dr. Garner and Dr. Tim were both wonderful with our kids. You may not be aware of it, but Dr. Tim sent a personal letter to each student in the Symphonic Band thanking them for his experience with them and for sharing so many musical moments with him. He also sent a letter to each director who had a student in his band. It was so very positive and refreshing!

This packet should contain a copy of this Newsletter, a copy of the 1997 Membership Directory, and a Directors Packet of the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series with entry forms. The OPS is discussed in more detail by the State Chair, Don Thoede, elsewhere in the Newsletter. I am very excited about the Series and expect it to be as well-received by the membership as the addition of the Concert Band at All-State was! The Directory lists all members, Regular and Associate. In the back of the Directory is an alphabetical listing of the schools so you can determine who is at which school. If you can think of any other way this Directory could be helpful to you, please let me know in time to use your suggestions for next years Directory. I know I use my Directory all of the time for the calls I make. I hope you use yours to stay in touch with each other.

You will notice that there is not a membership renewal in the packet. I mail a membership renewal to you with the July Newsletter which will also contain the 1998 PAL Update (with the latest errata in the audition music, current officers, etc.). Maybe we can all turn in a PO to get our membership dues paid as soon after September 1 as possible. This last year, we had 162 members who joined after October 1 who had to pay an additional $25 (which increased our scholarship fund by $4050!).

Interesting facts about the 1997 All-State Bands: Crane High School had 8 students make All-State; Brownfield, Denver City and Spring Hill each had 7 make All-State; Mathis had 6; Hamshire-Fannett and Pearsall each had 5; Aledo, Commerce and Greenwood each had 4. Thirteen schools had 3 students make All-State. Twenty-eight schools had 2 students and seventy-nine other schools had 1 student make All-State.

Educational Recording Service in Ozona still has cassette recordings of the 1997 All-State Band available for $10 each. They also have the compact disc recording ( a 2-CD set) of the 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 concerts available. Each or both of these can be ordered from: EDUCATIONAL RECORDING SERVICE P.O. BOX 1188 115 LIVE OAK OZONA, TEXAS 76943

Interesting fact about the 1997 All-State Bands: The membership included 15 freshmen, 20 sophomores, 79 juniors, and 106 seniors.

Make sure you use your contacts at colleges and universities across Texas (and beyond) to ensure that they give scholarships (all expenses paid) to ATSSB All-State students and tuition scholarships to ATSSB Area students for their summer band camps. Check out what the camp offers and then encourage your students to go where they are wanted. Also, please let me know which colleges are including ATSSB All-State students in their scholarship offerings so I can list them in the Newsletter.

Interesting facts about the 1997 All-State Band: The band had 107 females and 123 males.

If you would like to purchase a set of the music used on the concert (ATSSB had to buy it!), we will sell it to you at less than half-price. We had to purchase two complete sets because of copyright laws. Semper Fidelis ($27.00); Americans We ($18.00); Symphonic Suite ($38.25); Variations on an African Hymnsong ($30.60); The Band Song ($22.50); Festive Overture ($33.75); Lord of the Rings: The Hobbits ($67.50 - yes, it originally costs $150 each!). Just call to let me know your interest and I will send it to you (if still available) with a bill. We still have a copy of Cajun Folk Songs ($47.50), Pineapple Poll($18.00), Wind Dancer ($20.00), Burst of Flame ($9.00), Pustza (includes many extra first parts that we had to buy for inclusion in the Area packets!) ($40.00); Where Never Lark Or Eagle Flew ($24.00); Hail To The Fleet ($12.00); and the march British Eighth ($4.00) if anyone wants them.

Interesting facts about the 1997 All-State Bands: Of the 230 students in the bands, 9 were from class A schools (3.9% of the bands), 48 from class AA schools (20.9%), and 173 from class AAA schools (75.2%), all representing 128 different schools.

Please let me know if you need to replace a Region Coordinator in your Spring Meeting because yours moved, etc. I need to have their name as soon as possible for our plans for 1997-98 (call me at 903-963-5841 and leave a message ). Your Region Coordinator is your regions representative on the State Board of Directors which makes all of the interim important decisions for you regarding ATSSB matters. Make sure he/she or a proxy attends each SBOD meeting! It would also be nice if each Region Coordinator brought a mandate of opinion from each respective region so votes could be representative of each region of the state. One other thing: each region needs to be thinking about nominating a Class Representative for each class to be elected in February. These nominations are due by October 1 (you can make nominations in your spring meeting, but must make them by the August meeting). Nominees will be notified by mail of their nomination and if I receive a letter of acceptance, I will list them in the October Newsletter. There will also be a short biography of each of them in the Newsletter preceding the convention in February. The State Board of Directors voted to put that edition out in December with an agenda for the SBOD listed so each region could have input regarding the agenda items at their respective All-Region Band clinics - from which each Region Coordinator will bring a consensus of opinion for knowledgeable voting at the SBOD meeting in February. Please remember that nominees must be current Active Members of the Association before their name can be placed on the ballot.

Interesting facts about the 1997 All-State Bands: There was only one senior who had made the All-State Band four consecutive years: Sarah Smith, clarinetist from White Oak (the daughter of our own Wayne Smith, Scholarship Committee Chair, who was the one who presented the award!). She was given a certificate of achievement in a brief ceremony during the concert. She also was presented with the second $1,000 4-Year ATSSB All-State Band Scholarship. The SBOD also voted to award the $1000 scholarship to the three original 4-year members of the All-State Band the year before the scholarship began. Next year there are three possible recipients of this scholarship. Dont forget to send in your contribution to the scholarship fund. Donors are recognized elsewhere in the scholarship fund report.

We still have the ATSSB enamel lapel pin available for you. We also have the large 10" ATSSB All-State Band patches for the All-State Band members. Send $2 for each enamel pin and/or $8 for each 10" patch to: ATSSB; P.O. Drawer 1508; Van, Texas 75790. Be sure to enclose name and address to where they are to be sent!

Even though the last six years have been fruitful and exciting, the future is even more promising. We will continue the two All-State Bands next year (with possible instrumentation tweaks depending on action and recommendation of the SARC - George Strickland, chair) and clinicians, dates, and commissions under contract include: 1998 clinician: Anthony Maiello from George Mason University - Symphonic Band Feb. 11-14 Ed Huckeby - Concert Band (we also have commissioned Mr. Huckeby to compose a grade 2+ work for the 1998 All-State Concert Band)

1999 clinician: Col. Alan Bonner - Symphonic Band Feb. 3-6 John OReilly - Concert Band (we also have commissioned Mr. OReilly to compose a grade 2+ work for the 1999 All-State Band)

2000 clinician: David Holsinger - Symphonic Band Feb. 9-12 Jack Delaney from Southern Methodist University - Concert Band

2001: We have commissioned Robert Sheldon to compose a grade 3+ work for the 2001 All-State Concert Band

Other clinic dates (in which we already have rooms at the Ramada Emily Morgan Hotel booked and the Scottish Rite Auditorium reserved) are: February 7-10, 2001 February 15-18, 2006 February 20-23, 2002 February 14-17, 2007 February 12-15, 2003 February 13-16, 2008 February 11-14, 2004 February 11-14, 2009 February 9-12, 2005 February 10-13, 2010

Interesting facts about the 1997 All-State Bands: Of the 230 members, each of the 20 regions had an average of 11.5 students in the band. One region had 28 (the most) and one region had none (the least).

Yet another note about housing! Our biggest problem between the hotel and guests using the blocked rooms is the advance payment. Each year, we have at least one director who signs up for a room on the Form 14, then does not prepay nor stay in the room. The Association must pay for these rooms if we cannot get the director to meet his obligation. We have also had problems with All-State bandsmen being signed up for a room, then staying elsewhere - again causing the Association to have to pay that students portion of the room if we cannot get the school to meet its obligation because of the enrollment on the Form 14. So far, we have only had to cover one director who refused to pay (he is no longer a member). We are looking at ways to alleviate this. The best start is that President Page has named Jennifer Willison of Canadian as the 1998 ATSSB Housing Coordinator. She will be in total charge of rooming at the clinic, including new procedures for securing a room, advance payment of a block hotel fee, floor monitors in the hotel, student check-in/checkout of the hotel and into/out of the rooms each night. Look for more details from Jennifer in future Newsletters. Be sure to look at all housing documents at Area VERY CAREFULLY!!!!!

We had a few infractions of the Student Code of Conduct again this year that required Executive Committee action. These infractions, although certainly not illegal, were serious enough that two students were removed from the All-State Band. We will probably change the way students are chaperoned in the hotel. More on that in later Newsletters (after Jennifer does her thing, committee referrals and SBOD action). Most problems can be avoided in advance by each director going over the Code with each participating student and stressing compliance - then checking on their students periodically to see that everything is going as expected.

I want to get on my soapbox about one final item - ATSSB (a subject obviously very near and dear to me!). I hope all of us (and I know I am talking to me here also!) will remember to be still and LISTEN to any and all discussions regarding ATSSB, its role in music education, its place in the scheme of things, its responsibility to its members and members students. We all need to remember that ATSSB was formed in the beginning mainly because others did not listen to us! We had needs that were not being met and decided that the time had come to meet them ourselves. If the time has come that others can and should meet these needs for us instead of our meeting our own needs, then it is time to change. However, I will be the very first and the very loudest to maintain that - should one small-school bandsman be negatively impacted by any decision - then I am totally opposed to any change at this time. Our very strength from the beginning has been that we were willing to listen to what small-school bands needed - and we found the people that could put it all together to make it work. Successive Presidents have made it their business to seek new opinions from the membership - new blood in the leadership positions, etc. - to keep ATSSB vital and responsive. Lets dont even think about becoming set in our ways! Lets keep looking for the right person for each task to make sure ATSSB remains at the high level of respect and acceptance it has reached thus far. We should also remember that we do not have a patent on all the right answers! I continually get suggestions - or at least questions - from outsiders about the way we do things, and many times come out of those questions and suggestions with an improved way of doing things! So lets keep our minds open and our hearts centered on the welfare of our small-school students. After all, they are the reason we are doing all of this anyway!

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by Don Thoede, State Chair

I am very excited about our newly adopted program called the Outstanding Performance Series. This program will give the Band Directors of ATSSB an opportunity to enter a taped audition process whereby the very best performances of UIL approved literature is selected and put on a CD to be made available to everyone and to be given to public radio stations so they will be played on the air. In addition, the band directors from the winning schools will be presented a plaque with a CD on it at the General Session of ATSSB during the February convention recognizing them for their outstanding performances.

In order for this program to be successful, band directors from Class C/CC middle schools, and band directors from Class A, AA, and AAA high schools who are members of ATSSB must submit their tapes for audition. The more tapes we have submitted, the better the quality of the winning performances. It is important to remember that you do not have to submit your entire UIL contest program. You may enter only your march, or only one of your other selections. Of course, you may enter all three selections. The choice is yours! That is the beauty of the program. How many times have you taken your band to contest and played one of your selections beautifully and the other two just good enough to make a 1st or 2nd division? Here is the opportunity for you to take advantage of that kind of situation. If that happens this year, just enter the tune you played beautifully and leave the other two at home! Then again, if you played all three extremely well, enter all three. There is a one-time entry fee of $50.00 per selection. The money will go towards the production of the CD. We expect ATSSB band directors to give their time to help judge the tapes. Please keep in mind that no stipend will be paid to judges.

The tapes must have been recorded at your UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest or at a Non-UIL Concert Contest that has been approved by the SBOD or the Executive Committee of ATSSB. If you plan to submit tapes from a Non-UIL contest, you must complete and mail the appropriate form to the State Chair on or before May 1, 1997!

In order for you to enter the competition, you must mail or hand carry the tapes and the proper forms to your Region Coordinator on or before June 1, 1997.

All of the forms you will need are included with this mailing of this Newsletter. However, your Region Coordinators have more should you need them. The deadlines are important and will be strictly enforced, so please help us help you by meeting all deadlines.

I feel that this is a very positive program for the students and the band directors of ATSSB. Please take advantage of this worthwhile program and submit your tapes. Lets make this first year of the Outstanding Performance Series one of which we can all be proud! Good luck!

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank each person who had a part in the All-State Seating Auditions this year. We had many people involved either judging, monitoring, or working in the tabulation office. We try to have each area represented on each panel, an effort that requires a great deal of cooperation. I would especially like to thank Jodi Digby from Atlanta and Mark Beatty from Lone Oak for their much-needed help with the audition process behind the scenes.

With the addition of a second band, we used 18 more judges or monitors for our seating auditions this year. Overall, the results took about an hour and a half longer than in the past. This was primarily due to the fact that the State Board of Directors voted last year that we check all the math for each student and each judge. Of course this takes extra time, but it insures 100% accuracy. Thanks to Mark Melton and Randy Wallingford from Union Grove High School in Gladewater, and Mark Beatty from Lone Oak High School with this process. Also, the rules were changed to make the results final 30 minutes after the last section was posted instead of 30 minutes after a particular section was posted. Thanks to Jodi Digby from Atlanta High School and Cory Riggs from Queen City Middle School for their help with coordinating the activities at the Scottish Rite and Emily Morgan and braving the wonderful weather by transporting the results to the office and to the posting area.

A special thanks goes out to each person who helped by judging or monitoring. We had several people who stepped in to help at the last minute. I apologize if I left out anyones name, but your help was greatly appreciated.

FLUTE/PICCOLO Michelle Anderson - Cooper - Monitor Tommy Ray - West - Chairperson Jennifer Willison - Canadian Carol Turner - Krum Destry Balch - Spring Hill Paul Reid - Mathis

Bb CLARINET Joanye McNair - Bonham - Monitor Don Thoede - Clifton - Chairperson Rob Lovett - Muleshoe Roger Pace - Lake Worth Gordon Haney - Crockett Bill Harrison - Edna

DOUBLE REEDS/ALTO CLARINET/BASS CLARINET - Monitor Michael Hardy - Somerset - Chairperson Crystal Scott - Spur Dennis Teasdale - Stamford Alicia Tennison - Rusk Greg Miller - Hico

SAXOPHONE/CONTRA CLARINET - Monitor Ben Hoaldridge - Graham - Chairperson Britt Gordon - Sundown Maryann May - Jacksboro Roger Ashcraft - Bonham John Standridge - Arp

FRENCH HORN Charles McCauley - Quitman - Monitor Chuck Christian - Grandview - Chairperson James Nance Barry Anderson - Boyd John Squier - Hughes Springs Larry Blassingame - Mt. Enterprise

TRUMPET Darrell McCown - Lake Dallas - Monitor Forrest Perry - Van Horn - Chairperson Tom Kuhn - Jacksboro Ben Davis - Edgewood John Carroll - Jefferson Victor Denis - Poteet

TROMBONE Roger McLaren - Mineola - Monitor Greg Rose - Pittsburg - Chairperson Chuck Harris - Borden County Richard Holbrook - Farmersville Forrester Halamicek - Menard Charles Sander - George West

BASS TROMBONE/EUPHONIUM Terry Everts - Grand Saline - Monitor Bobby Overall - Winona - Chairperson Richard Herrera - Brownfield Kevin Gilpatrick Mike Brady - Coleman David Smith - Banquete

TUBA Jerry Stuart - Mt. Vernon - Monitor Jessie Lotspeich - Crane - Chairperson Pat Autry - Whitesboro John Canfield - Rusk Bruce Kenner - Sealy Keith Lancaster - Mathis

PERCUSSION Lonnie Dooley - Hawkins - Monitor Scott Rhame - Carlisle - Chairperson Jerry Gober - Mineola Rob Toups - Canton Dan Wynn - Cuero Kendel Hickenbottom - Wellington

We realize it takes a very special effort to help out in this fashion and it is much appreciated.

If you are interested in helping with this process in the future, please let your Region or Area Coordinator know or email me at nsutton@tenet.edu or call or write. Also, please be sure you are a member by October 1. This insures you will be on the list when the invitations are sent out. As I stated earlier, we try to use a representative from each of the five areas on each panel wherever possible.

Again, thanks to everyone for making the auditions run as smoothly as they did. Have a great Spring.

Change ARTICLE III of the Constitution

ATSSB membership shall be defined according to the following categories:

ACTIVE - A current director or assistant director of a class A, AA or AAA high school band in Texas or a current director or assistant director of a junior high or middle school band which feeds a class A, AA or AAA high school band in Texas as defined by the University Interscholastic League.

ASSOCIATE - Any other interested person, including - although not restricted to - A, AA, or AAA high school band directors or assistants who are no longer active (retired), AAAA or AAAAA band directors, assistants or Fine Arts Directors, directors of other musical disciplines, institutions, other groups, and lay citizens.

ATSSB membership shall be defined according to the following categories:

ACTIVE - A current director or assistant director of a class A, AA or AAA high school band in Texas or a current director or assistant director of a junior high or middle school band which feeds a class A, AA or AAA high school band in Texas as defined by the University Interscholastic League or anyone who has retired from any of these positions as an Active Member.

ASSOCIATE - Any other interested person, including - although not restricted to - A, AA, or AAA high school band directors or assistants who are no longer active (retired), AAAA or AAAAA band directors, assistants or Fine Arts Directors, directors of other musical disciplines, institutions, other groups, and lay citizens.

Change ARTICLE I, SECTION 3 of the By-Laws

SECTION 3. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP shall be open to any individual currently serving as a band director or assistant director in a class A, AA or AAA high school in Texas or is a band director or assistant director in a junior high or middle school which feeds a class A, AA or AAA high school as defined by the University Interscholastic League. Payment of the prescribed dues will allow the individual to participate in ATSSB activities, the right to vote and hold office, admittance to meetings upon compliance with registration requirements, and to enter students in grades 9-12 in the audition process leading to membership in the ATSSB All-State Band.

A regular member who retires may continue Active Membership so long as dues are kept current.

Change ARTICLE I, SECTION 3 of the By-Laws

SECTION 4. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP shall be open to individuals, organizations or business firms, schools, colleges, universities, retired Active members, booster clubs, etc., and any other individual not otherwise eligible for Active Membership who wishes to support the cause of ATSSB.

SECTION 4. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP shall be open to individuals, organizations or business firms, schools, colleges, universities, retired Active members, booster clubs, etc., and any other individual not otherwise eligible for Active Membership who wishes to support the cause of ATSSB.

Rationale: We need to keep our experienced members active in the Association. This change will allow them to vote and hold offices as needed by our Association.

Change ARTICLE V, SECTION 4

SECTION 4. AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES. One representative from each class (A, AA and AAA) shall assume office in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws. Each of the three representatives shall be voting members of the State Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES. One representative from each class (C/CC, A, AA and AAA) shall assume office in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws. Each of the three four representatives shall be voting members of the State Board of Directors. Change ARTICLE II, SECTION 4.(a) of the By-Laws

SECTION 4.(a). DUTIES OF THE AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES. Each of the three At-Large Representatives (one from class A, one from class AA and one from class AAA) shall serve as voting members of the State Board of Directors so as to maintain a balance of opinion among the different classes of schools.

SECTION 4.(a). DUTIES OF THE AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES. Each of the three four At-Large Representatives (one from class C/CC, one from class A, one from class AA and one from class AAA) shall serve as voting members of the State Board of Directors so as to maintain a balance of opinion among the different classes of schools.

Change ARTICLE II, SECTION 4.(c) of the By-Laws

SECTION 4.(c). ELECTION. The general membership of ATSSB shall vote by secret ballot in the Business Session on At-Large Representatives in even-numbered years. If there is no clear majority, a secret ballot will be cast, with the individual receiving a simple majority of the total votes cast being declared the winner. Only Active Members from class A schools may vote on the class A At-Large Representative, only Active Members from class AA schools may vote on the class AA At-Large Representative, and only Active Members from class AAA schools may vote on the class AAA At-Large Representative.

SECTION 4.(c). ELECTION. The general membership of ATSSB shall vote by secret ballot in the Business Session on At-Large Representatives in even-numbered years. If there is no clear majority, a secret ballot will be cast, with the individual receiving a simple majority of the total votes cast being declared the winner. Only Active Members who are involved with class C/CC schools may vote on the class C/CC At-Large Representative, only Active Members from who are involved with class A schools may vote on the class A At-Large Representative, only Active Members from who are involved with class AA schools may vote on the class AA At-Large Representative, and only Active Members from who are involved with class AAA schools may vote on the class AAA At-Large Representative. Class A and Class AAA Representatives shall be elected in even-numbered years; Class C/CC and Class AA Representatives shall be elected in odd-numbered years.

Change ARTICLE II, SECTION 5.(a) of the By-Laws

SECTION 5.(a). THE STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The State Board of Directors shall be composed of all Founding Members, current Region Coordinators, the President, the President-Elect, the Executive Secretary, and the three At-Large Representatives, each of whom must be a member in good standing for the current year.

SECTION 5.(a). THE STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The State Board of Directors shall be composed of all Founding Members, current Region Coordinators, the President, the President-Elect, the Executive Secretary, and the three four At-Large Representatives, each of whom must be a member in good standing for the current year.

Rationale: This change will allow our Executive Committee to remain more stable instead of having wholesale changes each election year.

Change ARTICLE II, SECTION 1.(a) of the By-Laws SECTION 1.(a). DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT. The President shall be the presiding officer of ATSSB meetings and of the State Board of Directors. He shall appoint Area Coordinators, the State Taping Coordinator, the All-State Band Organizer, the All-State Band Percussion Organizer, and the All-State Band Seating Audition Coordinator. He shall also appoint members to committees and shall represent ATSSB, or appoint an alternate in his place, at meetings deemed relevant to the welfare of ATSSB. He shall be responsible for the overall program at the Convention-Clinic at the discretion of the State Board of Directors and shall perform all other duties pertaining to the office. He may appoint a Parliamentarian as needed and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

SECTION 1.(a). DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT. The President shall be the presiding officer of ATSSB meetings and of the State Board of Directors. He shall appoint Area Coordinators, the State Taping Coordinator, the All-State Band Organizers, the All-State Band Percussion Organizers, and the All-State Band Seating Audition Coordinator. He shall also appoint members to committees and shall represent ATSSB, or appoint an alternate in his place, at meetings deemed relevant to the welfare of ATSSB. He shall be responsible for the overall program at the Convention-Clinic at the discretion of the State Board of Directors and shall perform all other duties pertaining to the office. He may appoint a Parliamentarian as needed and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Rationale: This is a housekeeping procedure since we no longer use a State Taping Coordinator and because we now use multiple band and percussion organizers.

ATSSB is now on the web, with its new set of web pages at http://www.atssb.org so information about the ATSSB can be accessed at anytime. It includes numerous features for ATSSB members. Here are a few short notes to help you get the most out of these features.

One of the most exciting features of the ATSSB domain is the Chat Board function. Anyone may leave messages for discussion with the other members. The chat feature automatically catalogs all posts by date, author, and subject. If a director posts a letter about his selection for UIL, the problems he had with it, and the eventual rating, not only can he discuss it with others but next year other directors can access the messages when considering music for their bands. This feature promises to become an easy method of communication for all directors throughout the state, and will hopefully generate positive discussions about techniques, ideas, and just shooting the breeze.

In order to use the chat feature, just select Chat from the navigation bar, and then select your options from the chat directory. You might try Recent Messages first. If there are no recent messages, either click on New Topic to create one, or select one of the other options such as articles listed by date, articles listed by author, or articles listed by subject. If you want to discuss a particular topic already listed, simply click Respond, and compose your message.

In addition to the Chat Board, there are a number of features available at the touch of a mouse button. Those features include: an updated calendar of upcoming ATSSB events and deadlines; articles from the current ATSSB Newsletter (as well as a catalog of recent issues), listings of officers and how to contact them, listings of member schools, their directors, regions and email addresses. Those members with email addresses need to check the membership pages and make sure that your email address is included and correct. A separate page is in development for issues and announcements related to the new Outstanding Performance Series that is being unveiled by ATSSB this month.

Also in development are pages documenting the ATSSB All-State Band concerts from February as well as full sound files of each of the compositions ATSSB has commissioned over the last few years. Once the Sounds page is operational, anyone with Real Audio will be able to access the recordings, and will be able to follow links to the publishers and composers.

Lastly, the ATSSB pages include a Links page to businesses, music vendors, other music organizations, and links to those ATSSB member schools whose bands have web pages. If your band currently has a web address, email the address to the webmasters for inclusion on the page. If you know of any businesses whose goods or services are beneficial to other ATSSB members, submit it for inclusion. Remember that official subjects, such as Newsletter articles, Letters to the Editor, date reminders, Outstanding Performance Series info, etc., should still be submitted to your Region Chairman or the appropriate ATSSB state officer, although you may do this via email.

The most important thing you can do as a member of ATSSB is explore. Check out the ATSSB pages, then follow the links. You may discover a music-related site on the web that would be beneficial to you and your program. Second, COMMUNICATE! Leave a message on the Chat Board. It may be just to say hello to a fellow director, or it may be to discuss marching shows, contest selections, or to pick the brains of your peers. The only rule is that you remember that students of all ages surf the net each day. Use common sense in your posts and post only comments that are acceptable for public view. Simply ENJOY!

(Editor's note: Tim tells me that the Web Site received as many as 350 'hits' one day, so it won't be long until it is a hot Site on the web! KLG)

The State Board of Directors of the Association of Texas Small School Bands met for breakfast at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 13, 1997, in the Ramada Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio.

Present at the meeting were Fred Angerstein, Pat Autry, Sandy Brown, John Canfield, Jeff Comp, Gene Conway, Lonnie Dooley, Kenneth Griffin, Michael Hardy, Bill Harrison, Richard Herrera, Jesse Lotspeich, Ed Lowes, Ronnie Page, Fred Pankratz, Forrest Perry, Greg Rose, Elmer Schenk, Jim Smith, Scott Stephenson, Tim Stirzaker, Don Stockton, Dennis Teasdale, Don Thoede, Ron Welborn, Eric Wharton, and Jennifer Willison. Guests present included Area A Coordinator Britt Gordon, Area A Representative Louis Thornton, Area C Coordinator Mark Melton, and Area E Coordinator David Smith. Not present were Region I Coordinator Rick Ball, Founding Charter Member Mike Bendiksen, and Founding Charter Member Dwayne Bishop.

After enjoying a buffet breakfast, the meeting was called to order by President Don Stockton at 7:15 a.m. Louis Thornton gave the invocation.

The minutes of the July SBOD meeting were approved as printed in the October Newsletter after a motion by Jennifer Willison and a second by Jesse Lotspeich.

Under new business, Mr. Stockton recommended the purchase of a computer audition program and audition method that several regions (V, X, XI, and XIII) had tried for the past several years. The cost of the program would be $1500 and could be duplicated for any and all regions, areas, districts, etc. for use in ATSSB auditions. After much discussion, Elmer Schenk moved it be purchased and provided for region auditions at their discretion if the program can be provided for both IBM and Macintosh platforms with the hope that a cross-platform program can be designed. Fred Pankratz seconded. There were 21 in favor and 3 against the proposal. Motion carried. Mr. Stockton also recommended that each region set policy about doubling on instruments in auditions, citing problems with rank order in one section when a student selects another instrument. He recommended either not allowing doubles (easiest solution), or writing a policy whereby all scores are recalculated after the missing students scores are dropped (next-best solution), or writing a policy that simply states that the next person moves up when a place is dropped in choosing another section (least defendable).

The next item of business was a motion by President-Elect Ronnie Page to adopt the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series. After a short presentation and follow-up by Don Thoede, Jennifer Willison seconded the motion. There were 21 for and 1 against the proposal. Motion carried.

The next item of business was proposed ATSSB-sponsored clinics at TBA. The following clinic idea was suggested : How To Organize A One-Person Band Program. Ronnie Page moved that we sponsor that clinic topic. Jennifer Willison seconded. Motion carried.

The next item of business concerned ATSSB sponsoring a regional ATSSB junior high solo-ensemble contest. The rationale was that since the UIL did not sponsor one, we could provide forms and medals for one. After much discussion, Jesse Lotspeich moved that we accept the proposal and Fred Angerstein seconded. There were 8 in favor and 11 against it. Motion failed.

Fred Angerstein moved that ATSSB provide forms, medals and guidelines for sponsoring a junior high regional solo-ensemble contest. Motion died for lack of a second.

Mike Hardy moved that we change the commissioned grade level to 3+ for 2000 when David Holsinger is the Symphonic Band Clinician and that the Symphonic Band perform the commissioned piece. Jennifer Willison seconded. Motion carried.

The Board was reminded that recommendations regarding All-State Band instrumentation should be given to the new President-Elect so the SARC could act on them.

Jennifer Willison moved and Eric Wharton seconded that the President name a committee to come up with a decision-making procedure whereby the membership at the grass-roots level could be apprised of coming actions in time for the Region Coordinators to get input from the region level to act on it at the State Board level. Motion failed. Mr. Griffin said that we could get the Newsletter out in December so Region Coordinators could have the February SBOD agenda in time to discuss it with members at Region clinics in January.

Mr. Griffin suggested a housing fee for students selected to the All-State Band. This fee could be somewhere around $100 (it costs most students $78 now). This is not an unreasonable housing cost for three nights in a convention city. The fee would be paid to ATSSB and we would pay the hotel directly. With the additional funds, ATSSB could secure 1 room per floor and provide it free of charge to directors who would be responsible for monitoring each floor - student signing in and out in the evenings. Numerous problems were beginning to arise with the increased numbers. It was also suggested that we have a Housing Coordinator who would be in charge of all reservations, securing monitors, handling complaints, changes, check-in and out, etc., Mr. Griffin asked the Board to take the idea back to the membership for discussion and to come to the July SBOD meeting ready to take action on it.

Mr. Griffin moved and Jennifer Willison seconded that ATSSB pay a $200 honorarium to All-State Band Organizers Tom Hall and Daniel Aleman and Percussion Organizers Wayne Dannheim and Thomas Galvez. Motion passed.

Mark Melton moved and Jennifer Willison seconded that the honorarium be increased to $400. Motion failed.

Pat Autry moved and Fred Angerstein moved that the honorarium be increased to $300. Motion failed. After a short discussion about mailing labels being requested, Lonnie Dooley moved and Dennis Teasdale seconded that mailing labels would not be given to commercial enterprises unless they were official Licensees of ATSSB logos and trademarks. Motion passed.

Jim Smith moved and Jennifer Willison seconded that we award $1000 to each of the three students in the 1995 All-State Band who were four-year members. The scholarship had not been started when they were seniors. Motion passed.

Region reports were then heard:

I They had a directors band which played for the students. Instrumentation was supplemented with college kids and was great fun. Dr. Gary Garner worked with them. II No report. III They had about 370 in four bands. They are also having a jazz band for the first time. IV They would like to see Area Coordinators elected and voting members of the SBOD. V They suggest that Regions should mail the signed forms and check for Area fees to the Area Coordinator about two weeks before Area to cut down on the registration time at Area. They had a directors performing jazz ensemble at the Region clinic. They had 402 sign up and 211 audition in high school and 403 sign up and 249 actually audition in middle school. VI They had 394 middle school students sign up and 370 actually audition for two 95-piece bands and 280 high school students sign up and 255 actually audition for one 93-piece band. They were sending a $1000 check to the Scholarship Fund. VII They had 360 enroll and 240 audition for two 76-piece high school bands. There were 400 enrolled and 320 auditioned for two 76- member junior high bands. VIII They had two bands this year. IX They would like to see the percussion audition music revised. X They had 400 in high school and 359 in junior high. Their region still wants to go on record as favoring the use of TMEA etudes for audition purposes. XI They had a junior high band for the first time and Ray Meza as clinician. XII They had 176 enroll and 116 audition for a 67-piece band. XIII They had two bands with 397 enrolled and 238 auditioning for two 92-piece bands. XIV They had a jazz band for the first time with Robert Quick as clinician. XV They had 123 enroll and 94 audition for high school and 96 enroll and 78 audition for junior high. They also expressed dissatisfaction with percussion auditions. XVI They had 180 enroll and 159 audition for an 86-piece band with Dan Gibbs as clinician. They sent 57 to Area. They also expressed dissatisfaction with percussion auditions. Their region was sending $100 to the Scholarship Fund. XVIII They had 878 enrolled and 400 audition for two high school bands and 798 enrolled and 500 auditioned for two junior high bands. XIX No report. XXI They had 836 enrolled and 623 audition for 2 junior high bands (each with 110 members) and 536 enroll and 338 audition for 2 high school bands (each with 110 members). XXII They had 130 enroll and 100 audition for the high school band. They have three junior high bands with no cuts - all who audition get to perform in a region band.

In Area reports: A Richard Herrera reported that Britt Gordon at Sundown had taken the position and done a great job. B All went well. They had plenty of judges.. He reported that they experienced a four-way loop in the tie-breaking procedure. C It was easy to fill panels. Lots of help. D No report. E They had plenty of judges left over.

Mr. Stockton named Dennis Teasdale as chair of the Election Committee to distribute and collect ballots at the General Session. Members of the committee were Mike Hardy, Lonnie Dooley, Jess Lotspeich, and Elmer Schenk.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:53 a.m.

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