Official Publication of the Association of Texas Small School Bands Volume VII, Number 4 March, 1998

by Ronnie Page

 
With the all-state activities in San Antonio recently over, it is time to once again thank each and every one of you who had a part in making this year a success.  From those of you who judged at the region level to those of you who coordinated the all-state processes, the association owes you a great debt of gratitude.  With the addition of the Outstanding Performance Series this year, we now have two statewide initiatives.  This means more involvement from our membership, and that is always positive.  ATSSB works because its members work!

While speaking of the OPS, all forms have been updated and forwarded to the region and area coordinators.  Be sure you file the non-UIL contest approval form if you wish to to submit a tape from an alternate contest.  Don Thoede must receive this form by May 1, 1998.  Some contests are already on the approved list.  Check the ATSSB web site or call Don if you are in doubt.   We anticipate a great year of competition within the OPS this year.

TMEA and ATSSB have named a joint task force committee which has begun a dialogue to determine if the two organizations can form some type of affiliation that would be beneficial to music education and all of our students.  I have asked Kenneth Griffin, Fred Pankratz, and George Strickland to serve with me on the committee.  We had an organizational meeting in San Antonio with the TMEA members of the committee, and we will travel to Austin later this month to begin work in earnest.  We see ATSSB remaining an autonomous organization controlling our own destiny.  However, we all know that a strong and unified TMEA is vital and important to music education in Texas.  This is an opportunity for ATSSB to make a significant contribution to that united front.

This committee will not find all the answers - we don't even know all of the questions yet.  We will eagerly seize the chance to look at all of the options for combining the efforts of these two worthwhile associations.  When all possibilities are studied, action may be recommended, or we may find that things are better left as they are.  In either case, we can be assured that relations between TMEA and ATSSB will be improved.  Respect will also be gained for each other's scope in the process of providing benefits for our students. The process promises to be positive with either outcome.  We anticipate no decisions will be made that will impact either TMEA or ATSSB without input from the general membership of both organizations.  We will keep you informed as events warrant.

By the time you read this, many of you will have been to concert and sightreading contest and are now preparing for spring trips, concerts and those other end of year activities.  For you it is too late to extend best wishes for a great contest experience.  If you are in this group, may the year end activities be safe and rewarding, and to those that have not yet attended contest, best wishes in both areas.  Remember to love and nurture every student and you will have a friend for life.  For some students the hug you give them today may be the only one they get!  Have a great spring - you deserve the very best!

by George Strickland

 Let me take space in this newsletter to thank several of our members for their assistance with the 1998 All-State Band experience.  So many individuals contributed their time to bring about another successful experience for our students.  Special  thank-you for assisting this office goes to Chris McLellan, Ron Finley, Jon McPhail, Mark and Sherry Gerber, Jessica Banda, Scott Stephenson, and members of the SARC.

The SARC recommendations were approved for the 98-99 auditions.  A few changes have been made for certain instrument auditions.  The new Prescribed Audition List (PAL) will be available this summer.  It is evident that not everyone reads the PAL material completely; this can and does cause problems.  Please read it in its entirety when you receive it.

The UIL Prescribed Music List (PML) selection committee had a good meeting earlier this month.  I heard a genuine concern by other committee members to expand each grade list.  Now is the time for you to request titles to be considered for addition to the PML.  The best way to have your request considered is to mail a letter to each of the PML committee members.  Be sure to include title, composer, and publisher.  Another aid to the committee would be a recording and full score of each title.  You will find the name and address of the committee members listed on the ATSSB web site homepage (www.atssb.org).

Most of us are working on our spring project--concert and sightreading contest. I hope you help make the preparation of your songs a musical and learning experience for your students.  We all need to continue to refine our sightreading skills by sightreading new material frequently.  Remember that, for the first time, we will be sightreading music written just for Texas UIL contest.

Have a productive spring.

by Kenneth L. Griffin

 Kenneth Griffin

I really enjoyed the concert this year.  It seems as if each band was at least one "notch" above last year - as has been the case every year since we began.  I am so appreciative of the privilege I have as Executive Secretary to conduct one of the All-State Bands each year (alternating Symphonic and Concert Band with the President).  I can not describe the thrill I have as I stand in front of the finest musicians in the state and actually wield a baton.  The emotions run pretty high, let me tell you!

It is hard to believe that this all began just seven short years ago, yet so much has been accomplished by so many in such a short time!  Of course, it is because all of you gave so much of your time and effort to make it all work.  Our Region and Area Coordinators (many of whom have served in that capacity for years now), have worked very hard to see that all of our students get a fair shake at each level of competition.  And all of you who participated in ATSSB activities realized that your kids could actually play the audition music - and had a much better chance of making each level of band.  Our junior high guys (or the one-man directors in the school system) have started to involve their students in an ATSSB-related activity and this just makes participation at the high school level all the more comfortable for them.   The end result, of course, is that more kids are practicing, more are seeking help (and getting it), and more are experiencing not only success, but phenomenal success.  This just makes our bands stronger and makes our Association that much more important.

So much goes on behind the scenes that makes the process work so smoothly.  We owe a great deal to Jennifer Willison as the State Housing Coordinator for the terrific job she did of organizing the hotel checkin and checkout - and getting the Floor Monitors organized.  They made sure our students were safe and secure in the hotel and let all of the rest of us have peace of mind, knowing the students were taken care of in the hotel.  She is seeking an apprentice to help next year to learn the ropes and take the position for the year 2000.  Anyone interested needs to contact her (see address and email address elsewhere in the Newsletter).  Thank you, Jennifer.  You were wonderful!

Neal Sutton and all of the directors who helped him again did a fantastic job (even more streamlined - nothing like experience, huh, Neal?) of coordinating the State Chair Auditions.  And all of the directors who volunteered their time to sit on judging panels, monitor, run errands, etc. made the All-State experience a pleasant and organized one for our kids.  Thank you, Neal.

Mike Hardy once again ran information (and loads of boxes) to and from the printers to make sure the programs were ready.  He also made sure the lighting company set up the temporary lighting for the auditorium.  He has done this every years since we started.  Thanks, Mike.

George Strickland rented a U-Haul truck and carried all of the percussion equipment and stands to the Scottish Rite (and back home again).  George also spearheaded the Welcome on Wednesday night for the students.  The San Antonio All-District Mariachi Band was a great way to greet the kids and I am sure our students enjoyed the bag of goodies he had ready.  All of this is addition to his duties as Chair of the State Audition Review Committee (the busiest committee in existence!).  Thanks, George.  I am sure you are looking forward to a relaxing job as President next year (ha!).

We also appreciate all that our Band Organizers (Tom Hall and Daniel Aleman) and Percussion Organizers (Wayne Dannheim and Thomas Galvez) did to make sure the bands operated smoothly.  They gave up most of their convention the past two years to make sure our kids had a good time.  Shannon Dow and John Standridge apprenticed with them this year to learn the ropes so they can serve in that capacity for the next couple of years.

The Outstanding Performance Series was a huge success last year and we look for it to be 'the thing to do' this year as everyone sees the results.  The beautiful award the winners received is an enviable trophy to be seen in the band halls of twelve bands across the state (actually, ten - since Howe and Happy both won two each!).  The runners-up plaque was beautiful also, befitting the great honor these bands received at the hands of their peers.  Congratulations to the winners and runner-up.  I look forward to this year's competition and hope many of you enter your band's performance(s) from contests this year.  Don Thoede, OPS State Chair, will tell you more about the 1998 OPS elsewhere in the Newsletter.
 

This packet should contain a copy of this Newsletter, a copy of the 1998 Membership Directory, and a Director's Packet of the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series with entry forms.  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 year's 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 139 members who joined after October 1 who had to pay an additional $25 (which increased our scholarship fund by $3475!).

Interesting facts about the 1998 All-State Bands:  Crane High School and Brownfield each had 7 students make All-State;  Mathis had 6;  Commerce and Canadian each had 5;  Warren and Aledo each had 4.  Eighteen schools had 3 students make All-State.  Thirty schools had 2 students and seventy-eight other schools had 1 student make All-State.

The recording of the All-State concerts is available in cassette tapes or compact disc.  Use the order form found elsewhere to get yours today.

Interesting fact about the 1998 All-State Bands:  The membership included 16 freshmen, 43 sophomores, 68 juniors, and 103 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.  I have received inquiries from several colleges wanting the All-State list so our students can be contacted about scholarship opportunities.  More and more are interested in our seniors each year.

Interesting facts about the 1998 All-State Band:  The band had 107 females and 123 males.  This is EXACTLY the same number as last year!

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 half-price.  We had to purchase two complete sets because of copyright laws.  Fanfare and Flourishes ($28.00);  Barnum & Bailey's Favorite ($22.50);  La Belle Helene by Offenbach (not used, but we have it anyway - $32.50);  On Wings of Eagles ($25.00);  Amazing Grace ($47.50);  Purgatorio ($40.00);  Ascension ($40.00);  Inferno ($40.00);  Paradiso ($37.50);  Flashing Wind ($35.00), Declaration, Ballade and Finale ($32.50). Just call to let me know your interest and I will send it to you (if still available) with a bill.  Any music still unsold by May 1 will be sent to Jeff Comp at Academy High School to be included in the lending library he has (see list elsewhere in the Newsletter).  All you have to pay is postage (both ways) to use any music in the library.

Interesting facts about the 1998 All-State Bands:  Of the 230 students in the bands, 8 were from class A schools (3.5% of the bands), 48 from class AA schools (20.9%), and 174 from class AAA schools (75.6%), all representing 133 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 1998-99 (call me at 903-663-4210 and leave a message ).  Your Region Coordinator is your region's 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 C/CC Representative, a Class AA Representative and a President-Elect to be elected in February (the two Class Representatives were elected this past February to a one year term;  after this year, Class C/CC and Class AA will be elected in odd years along with President-Elect and Class A and Class AAA will be elected in even years ).  These nominations are due by October 1 (you can make them in the spring meeting, but must make them in 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 September Newsletter.  There will also be a short biography of each of them in the December Newsletter preceding the convention 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 1998 All-State Bands:  There were four seniors who had made the All-State Band four consecutive years:  Nick Garcia, flute from Orange Grove; Tavia Lee, bass clarinet from Cisco; Jesse Lotspeich, tuba from Crane; and Gerardo Loya, clarinet from Muleshoe.  Each student was given a certificate of achievement and a plaque in a brief ceremony during the concert.  They also received the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth $1,000 4-Year ATSSB All-State Band Scholarship.  Next year there is only one possible recipient of this scholarship.  But the following year, there could be as many as eight!  Don't forget to send in your contribution to the scholarship fund.  Donors are recognized elsewhere in the Newsletter.

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 $10 for each 10" patch to:  ATSSB;  401 Hampton Court Longview, Texas  75605-4736.  Be sure to enclose name and address where you want them sent!  We also have a number of the 1997 OPS 2-CD set available for $10 (includes shipping - what a buy!).  But these are getting limited in number.

Clinicians, dates, and commissions under contract for future all-state bands include:

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

 2000 clinician: David Holsinger - Symphonic Band (we have also commissioned Mr.    Holsinger to write a grade 3+ piece for the 2000 Symphonic Band)
Feb. 9-12  Jack Delaney from Southern Methodist University - Concert Band

 2001: Arnold Gabriel - Symphonic Band
 Feb. 7-10 We have commissioned Robert Sheldon to compose a grade 2+ work    for the 2001 Concert Band)

 2002: We have commissioned Robert W. Smith to write a grade 2+ work for   Feb. 20-23 the 2002 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 12-15,  2003
 February 11-14,  2004
 February 9-12,  2005
 February 15-18,  2006
 February 14-17,  2007
 February 13-16,  2008
 February 11-14,  2009
 February 10-13,  2010

I will be sending a certificate to principals in April to give to their students who were selected to the 1998 ATSSB All-State Band.  You might want to check with your principal to make sure the certificate is going to be awarded at your spring awards assembly.

Interesting facts about the 1998 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 24 (the most) and two regions had one (the least).

One other short word about housing.  The only snafu we had was that we had no documentation for all-state students to take with them about housing from Area, so directors had problems knowing where to send the hotel fee.  This will be remedied next year.  Just remember that the fee will be $100 per student and the check is to be made out to ATSSB and sent to the Executive Secretary (not Jennifer).

We had no infractions of the Student Code of Conduct this year that required Executive Committee action.  While potential problems were probably averted with the presence of security and the Hotel Floor Monitors, difficulties 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.

The committee meeting with TMEA regarding the relationship between our two organizations has met briefly (during the convention).  The meeting was very cordial and I believe the groundwork has been laid for a real dialogue between us.  We will meet again March 20-21 in Austin to see if anything can be developed between us - or to see if there is even a need for any type of relationship.  Please understand that we plan 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 memberÕs students.  We 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 listen to the membership - and new ÔbloodÕ is continually being infused into leadership positions, etc. - keeping ATSSB vital and responsive.  We do not plan to become stoic and rigid in what we do.  Let's 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!  Your leadership will keep minds open and hearts centered on the welfare of our small-school students.  After all, they are the reason we are doing all of this anyway!  I realize I have said most all of this before, but I felt it needed restating, particularly with the coming meetings with TMEA.  Any decision that needs to be mutually made affecting ATSSB and TMEA will be brought to the State Board of Directors and the general membership because it will be your decision to make, not just a select few.

My thanks to all of you for what you have done to make ATSSB what it is today.

by Don Thoede, State Chair

 All information and entry forms for the 1998 Outstanding Performance Series were mailed to Region and Area Coordinators on March 5, 1998.  All directors should receive entry forms from their Region Coordinators very soon.  If you do not receive the entry forms by April 1, contact your Region Coordinator.  Remember that you also can download the entry forms from the ATSSB web site.

When you receive your entry forms, please read them and follow the instructions carefully.  It is important that you mail the fees,  tapes, each in its own cassette tape box, and entry forms to your Region Coordinator by June 1!

If you are planning to participate in a non-UIL festival, be sure that you mail a Non-UIL Contest Approval Form to me on or before May 1.  The festivals that have already been approved are: 'Smoky Mountain Music Festival', 'American Classics Music Festivals', 'South Coast Music Festival', 'Blinn College Music Festival', 'E.T.C World Events (Best in Class Championships)', and the 'UIL Texas State Wind Ensemble'.  Please be aware that any non-UIL band festival must have a minimum of five bands participating in the festival, and the performance must be recorded at the festival with the recording equipment used for all bands participating in the event.  If you participate in one of the approved festivals listed above, you will not need to send me an approval form!  Keep in mind that these guidelines are enforced to maintain the integrity of the Outstanding Performance Series.

Based on information from fellow directors, I am anticipating much greater participation this year.  It is obvious that the OPS is good for ATSSB, and if you saw the awards we gave to the winners in San Antonio, you would better understand why every small school band director would like his/her band to be chosen as one of the winners!

Have you purchased your 1997 Outstanding Performance Series CD yet?  If not, please do so soon, and encourage your band students to purchase one.  You can download the order form from our web site.  If you don't have the internet, contact Kenneth Griffin.  I am sure he will be glad to send you one.  The cost is $10.00 for the two CD set, which includes all twelve OPS winners plus the two 1997 All-State Bands.

I am here to help you.  Please call me if you have any questions.  I hope you all have a great spring!
 

Congratulations to the following students for receiving the 1998 ATSSB Four-Year All-State Band $1000 Scholarship for having made the band four consecutive years:

Nick Garcia, Orange Grove High School flute;
Tavia Lee, Cisco High School bass clarinet;
Jesse J. Lotspeich, Crane High School tuba;  and
Gerardo Loya, Muleshoe High School clarinet.

Contributors to the Scholarship Fund to date include regions 1, 2, 3/20, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17/19, individuals, and official Licensee royalty checks.  If your region has any discretionary funds remaining, please consider donating to the fund.  Members need to remember that this is a tax-deductible donation!
 

 The General Session of ATSSB met in the Scottish Rite Auditorium at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 1998.  The meeting was called to order by President Ronnie Page.  Gary Robbins gave the invocation.
 
 Ballots for the election of Representatives to the SBOD were passed out to members as they arrived.  Mr. Stockton asked that ballots not be marked until seconding speeches could be given.  He asked if there were any nominations from the floor.  Jennifer Willison nominated Shannon Dow for Class A Representative and Kay Nance for Class C/CC Representative.  Seconding speeches were then given.  In Class AAA:  Louis Thornton spoke for Greg Miller;  John Canfield spoke for Gary Robbins;  Mark Melton spoke for Wayne Smith;  Tony Clines spoke for Don Thoede;  and Don Stockton spoke for Gary Wells.  In Class AA:  Chris Barton spoke for Don Carnathan;  Fred Pankratz spoke for Kendel Hickenbottom;  Ralph Zamarippa spoke for Dennis Teasdale;  and Collin Anderson spoke for Eric Wharton.  In Class A:  Ben Hoaldridge spoke for Rodney Bennett;  Lonney Dooley spoke for Lloyd Cook;  Jennifer Willison spoke for Shannon Dow;  and Ray Portillo spoke for Chuck Harris.  In Class C/CC:  Barry Hurt spoke for Marilyn Bennett;  Mike Marsh spoke for John Canfield;  Jennifer Willison spoke for Kay Nance;  and James Coffman spoke for Jimmy Wiggins.  Mr. Griffin instructed the membership on how to mark ballots, then  the ballots were the collected.
 
 Mr. Page introduced TMEA President Tom SoRelle who brought greetings from TMEA.
 Mr. Page then introduced candidates for TMEA President-Elect.  Randie Storie spoke for eight minutes about communication and the future of music education in Texas.  Bob Henry  spoke for three minutes about his interest in ATSSB and TMEA and how each Association's membership should meet to deal with opportunities, not just problems, using open lines of communication.
 
 Mr. Page introduced candidates for TMEA Band Division Vice-President.  Dick Clardy spoke for four minutes about the need for constant dialogue, that he was set up to hear ATSSB's concerns, and that he has heard many say over the years how they were originally against ATSSB but now saw that it was a good thing.  Bob Bryant spoke for five minutes about cooperation with small schools and how he would try to keep tabs on small school directors.
 
 A runoff was then held in all four classes:  Marilyn Bennett, John Canfield, and Jimmy Wiggins in Class C/CC;  Rodney Bennett and Shannon Dow in Class A;  Don Carnathan and Eric Wharton in Class AA;  and Greg Miller, Wayne Smith and Don Thoede in Class AAA.
 
 The minutes of the General Session in July were read by Mr. Griffin and approved after a motion by Jennifer Willison and a second by Frank Garza.
 
 The financial report was approved as printed on a motion by James Nance and a second by Jennifer Willison.
 In the Executive Secretary's report, Mr. Griffin gave a list of statistics regarding the 1998 All-State Bands.  He thanked Jennifer Willison for her work as State Housing Coordinator.  He announced that there were four winners of the $1000 4-Year All-State Band Scholarship this year, but that only one student was eligible for next year.
 
 George Strickland reported on actions of the SARC and asked that members having concerns about the audition process should send them to him in writing with specific proposals to correct their perceived problem.
 Don Thoede reported on the Outstanding Performance Series and the recommendations approved by the SBOD for 1998.
 Mr. Page reported other action of the SBOD and that all candidates and seconding speakers were asked to keep speeches to three minutes.  He reported action regarding recommendations to the UIL PML Committee.
 
 Mr. Page then introduced Tim Edins and Dr. Wayne Clark, Webmasters of the ATSSB Web Site, as the first recipients of the ATSSB Distinguished Service Award, presenting each of them with a beautiful plaque.
 Mr. Page and Mr. Thoede then presented plaques and awards to the 1997 OPS winners and runner-up.
 
 A final runoff was held in two classes:  Marilyn Bennett and John Canfield in Class C/CC;  and Wayne Smith and Don Thoede in Class AAA.
 
 Mr. Page told the membership about the TMEA-ATSSB Dialogue Committee and that the committee members would be looking forward, not back;  that we were in charge of our own destiny;  that any decisions to be made would first go by the SBOD and then be brought to the membership;  that the current TMEA officers inherited TMEA, but we built ATSSB.
 Election results were announced:  John Canfield, Class C/CC;  Shannon Dow, Class A;  Eric Wharton, Class AA;  and Wayne Smith, Class AAA.
 
 Mr. Page then presented Gene Conway, Eric Wharton, and Don Thoede with plaques thanking them for their service to the Association as Class Representatives for the past two years.
 Mr. Page then recognized the head table:  Gene Conway, Class A Representative, Eric Wharton, Class AA Representative, Don Thoede, Class AAA Representative;  George Strickland, President-Elect;  and Kenneth Griffin, Executive Secretary.
 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
 
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
 

 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, Robert Garza, Kenneth Griffin, Michael Hardy, Bill Harrison, Jesse Lotspeich, Ed Lowes, Mike Marsh, James Nance, John Odom, Ronnie Page, Forrest Perry, Greg Rose, Elmer Schenk, Ray Calhoun (proxy for Jim Smith), Scott Stephenson, Don Stockton, George Strickland, Dennis Teasdale, Don Thoede, Louis Thornton, Eric Wharton, Jennifer Willison, and Eric Winterbottom.  Guests present included Area A Coordinator Britt Gordon, Area C Coordinator Mark Melton, Area E Coordinator David Smith, SARC member Rebecca Allen, and State Chair Audition Coordinator Neal Sutton.  Not present were Region 17 Coordinator Jim Smith (represented by proxy Ray Calhoun), Founding Charter Member Mike Bendiksen, Founding Charter Member Dwayne Bishop, and Founding Charter Member Fred Pankratz.
 
 After enjoying a buffet breakfast, the meeting was called to order by President Ronnie Page at 7:14 a.m.  Louis Thornton gave the invocation.
 
Mr. Griffin led the Board in the Oath of Office.
 The minutes of the July SBOD meeting were approved as presented in writing after a motion by Scott Stephenson and a second by Don Stockton.
 
 In the President's report, Mr. Page reported that the hotel rooms seemed secure and quiet when he made his rounds as one of the Floor Monitors.  He noted that checkin at the hotel was much smoother and looked forward to its fine tuning in the years to come.
 
 In the Executive Secretary's report, Mr. Griffin thanked Jennifer Willison for a wonderful job organizing and executing the hotel arrangements for 1998 and led the Board in a round of applause for her.  He told the Board that she had receipts should any need it for their school.  He then thanked Neal Sutton for his continued fine work in the chair auditions.  He gave the Board a list of statistics regarding the 1998 all-state bands, then reminded the Board that in elections in the General Session, seconding speeches would be limited to one per nominee and each speech would be limited to three minutes.
 Mr. Griffin asked the Board to look over a proposed Scale Worksheet to be included in the forms sent to Region and Area Coordinators for use in auditions which was recommended by Gary Wells of Hamshire-Fannett.  Jennifer Willison moved and Dennis Teasdale seconded that we include the worksheet in the set of forms used in auditions. Motion carried.
 Mr. Griffin asked for input regarding Form 15 on which consent would be asked to use photographs and names on the ATSSB Web Site.  It was suggested that this specific request for consent be listed at the bottom of the form with additional space for signatures so it could be separated from the body of forms giving medical release and permission to attend.  Mr. Griffin said he would see that the change was made.  He asked if anyone had patches left and, seeing several, suggested they all be sent to the Executive Secretary for distribution as needed.
 Mr. Griffin noted that there were four scholarship winners this year and that Scholarship Chair Wayne Smith has been giving each winner a nice plaque, each of which costs about $50, and moved that we pay for the plaques out of the Scholarship Fund.  After a second by Don Stockton, motion carried.
 Mr. Griffin asked if the Board wanted him to continue sending certificates to All-State students' principals for presentation at awards assemblies.  The response was unanimously positive.
 
 The next item on the agenda was a report from Fred Pankratz regarding the TMEA 'Blue Ribbon Committee'.  This item was moved to New Business.
 
 Mr. Page then introduced George Strickland as Chair of the SARC.  He characterized it as our most active committee which involves a lot of time, effort and discussion to address all of the items brought to it by individuals, regions, and areas.  Mr. Strickland named the committee members:  David Smith, Rebecca Allen, Tom Burns, Gary Wells, and Scott Stephenson.  He reported that the committee had completed the review of recommendations from members and had voted to recommend the following changes in the audition process (see attached for details):  adopt the recommended percussion etude in lieu of rudiments; state level chair auditions will use a portion of each selection in addition to a portion of the Area audition music for all percussion;  timpani will tune using a pitch audible to the judges and judges will be instructed to consider tuning in assessing a student's score;  recommended mallets will be listed to be used on bells, xylophone and marimba to keep students from using plastic, brass or acrylic mallets; and strongly suggest to regions that a Monitor statement and screens be used in auditions.  Since the vote of the committee became a motion to the Board, Jennifer Willison seconded and, after more discussion regarding timpani tuning, the motion carried.
 
 Mr. Page introduced Don Thoede as the State Chair for the Outstanding Performance Series.  Mr. Thoede thanked the Region and Area Coordinators for their efforts to make the inaugural OPS a huge success.  He encouraged everyone to purchase a CD through the ATSSB office and showed the Board the plaques that would be awarded winners and runners-up.  He told the Board to make sure that procedures are followed carefully to insure accuracy and fairness and reminded them that all forms are to follow each tape all of the way throughout the process.  He also would like to see each tape in its own cassette box (some being sent without boxes).  Lonnie Dooley asked if the runners-up tapes were available and suggested they be listed in the Newsletter and that copies be made on request to interested parties.  He recommended the following:  keep the adjudication procedure the same (instead of changing regions and areas) for this coming year;  separate class C from CC to make five different classes to adjudicate.  Other items he wished to address (regarding restrictions of grade levels entered) would be brought up in July.  Ronnie Page made the motion to accept and Jennifer Willison seconded.  After further discussion, motion carried.  Mr. Griffin told Region Coordinators and Designated Region Coordinators to be sure and inform the next level if they had either no tapes entered or if the number of tapes in each class entered did not require adjudication so they would not be looking for the tapes as the date for that level of adjudication approached.
 
 Under old business, Lonnie Dooley congratulated Mr. Griffin on the History of ATSSB as published.
 
 Under new business, George Strickland relayed Tom Hall's request that at least one person from each region be available after the concert Saturday to help tear the equipment down and load for return home.
 Mr. Page outlined how elections would be run in the General Session, naming Jesse Lotspeich, Don Stockton, and Elmer Schenk to the Election Committee with George Strickland to Chair it and record final votes.
 Mr. Page then related to the Board the coming 'Dialogue Committee' meeting scheduled for Friday after the TMEA Band Division meeting.  He told the Board that he, Fred Pankratz, Kenneth Griffin, and George Strickland would represent ATSSB on the committee.  He knew that Don Hanna would be on the committee along with Tom SoRelle as an ex officio member, but did not know the other members at this time.  He did not know what to expect from the meeting other than to establish what would be discussed, where and when it would meet again.  But he would keep the SBOD fully informed and, before any agreement was made, the SBOD would be informed first, then the membership would be given the opportunity to make the decision.
 
 Jennifer Willison suggested that feedback be given any suggestions to the OPS or SARC, that a letter should be sent acknowledging receipt and that the item was considered.
 
 Mr. Page then went into more detail regarding TMEA.  He stated that he was invited to attend the TMEA Region President Breakfast on Friday and that he intended to let them know about our membership statistics, our all-state band makeup and that he would shoe them the OPS CD and offer them a copy.
 
 Mike Hardy mentioned that George Strickland was on the UIL PML committee and that we should send him our suggestions for inclusion on the new PML..  George noted that he was already receiving volumes of music and suggestions and reported on the process involved.
 
 Mr. Griffin noted clinicians and composers currently under contract and asked for suggestions for the Concert Band in 2001.  Mr. Page reminded the Board that it had voted to name Texas college directors as Concert Band Clinicians.  The following names were submitted by members of the Board:  Paula Crider, Dennis Fischer, Bobby Francis, Eddie Green, and Barry Johnson.  A straw poll was taken and it was determined that Bobby Francis would be invited first, followed by Eddie Green and then Paula Crider.
 
 Mr. Page then called for Region Reports, but asked that only items needing Board action be reported at this time due to the lateness of the hour:

 I No report.
 II No report.
 III They would like to see scales memorized at Area.  They also submitted items for consideration to the    SARC.
 IV They would like to see scales memorized at Area.  They suggested that we have an ATSSB committee meet to suggest tunes for the new PML that used to be on the list, hoping the ATSSB name would help make the suggestions acceptable to the PML committee.  Mr. Page named Greg Rose to chair this committee.  Mr. Rose also suggested that any tunes approved as a second tune that was not on the list be made available to all either by addendum or by publishing in the Leaguer. Greg Rose moved and Ray Calhoun seconded that this committee be empowered by the SBOD to report in ATSSB's name to the UIL PML Committee. Motion carried.  Elmer Schenk moved and Jennifer Willison seconded that Dick Floyd be requested to include each class on the PML selection committee, realizing that geographic and gender matter, but should not be considered for a list used for five years.  Motion carried.
 V No report.
 VI No report.
 VII No report.
 VIII They had suggestions regarding low brass numbers at region area and state.  Referred to SARC.
 IX They would like to see scales memorized at Area.
 X No report.
 XI No report.
 XII They had a question regarding string bass and asked about region guidelines regarding doubling on     instruments.  Eric Winterbottom asked who had written guidelines regarding region auditions and asked if they would send them to him so his region could come up with a set.  Mr. Griffin reminded Region Coordinators that they should have written guidelines and that a copy should be sent to the Executive Secretary.
 XIII They reported that a business at their region concert complained about the Licensee royalty at 10% was too high.  The warm-up procedure needs more clarification:  could students test the first note of each etude before playing?;  could students test the beginning note on each scale?  They expressed concern that the Bb and Eb contrabass timbres were confusing judges' pitch sense.  It was suggested that all Bb's play together and Eb's    follow (or vice versa).  They expressed concern that students know audition music too soon with a 5-year rotating list.  They also wished to recommend a computer program for use at each Area.
 XIV They would like to see scales memorized at Area.  They wanted the clarinet slow etudes shortened.
 XV No report.
 XVI No report.
 XVII No report.
 XVIII They suggested we hire professional percussionists to judge at Area.  They also were in favor of a unified percussion audition.
 XXI No report.
 XXII They expressed concern about the consistency involved in judging scales.

Since no Areas had any action items to report, Mr. Page then called for Region Reports in general in reverse order:
 XXII No report.
 XXI They planned to contribute $1000 to the Scholarship Fund.
 XVIII David Holsinger was one of their clinicians.  They had four region bands - two high school and two junior high.
 XVII No report.
 XVI They had junior high all-region bands for the first time with two junior high and one high school band.  They   were proud to report that they had 21 all-staters, including 1 four-year scholarship winner.
 XV They welcomed Raymondville to the region.
 XIV They had a fine year with the bands.
 XIII They had Bud Rustowski as clinician.
 XII They added two junior high bands this year.
 XI They also had Bud Rustowski as clinician and recommended the Board seek UTSA's CD series 'Best of Texas'.    Recording available free if in attendance at their concerts.
 X No report.
 IX This was the first year they could have an all-region band without sharing with Region XVII (they had combined auditions and region bands in the past).
 VIII No report.
 VII They added 2-3 new schools this year and are looking forward to 37 schools next year.  They had seven different junior high and high school all-region and district bands.  They plan to give $2000 to the Scholarship Fund.
 VI They held a barbecue for their region meeting.  Their junior high bands were great.  They had principals suggest dismissing school early on Friday for clinics.  Rob Tucker from Howard Payne was one of their clinicians.
 V Fred Allen was a clinician this year.  They started Friday evening with sectionals conducted by region directors.
 IV They thanked the officers and representatives for their work for ATSSB.
 III They had six all-region bands:  two junior high, two high school, and two jazz bands.  Their jazz band audition packets by Buddy Mattei are available for sale at $25.
 II They are glad Wylie is staying AAA (so is Louis).  Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser was a clinician.
 I They had 100% of the small school in their region as participating members this year.  They had two high school and three junior high all-region bands.  850 students auditioned for the junior high bands.  Dr. Gary Garner conducted the region directors band.  They were donating $500 to the Scholarship Fund.  They charged admission to concerts with proceeds going to a scholarship fund at the university and raised $2100.
In Area reports:
 A No report.
 B All went well.  They were through and Louis was home by 4:00.
 C No report.
 D No report.
 E They caught a student trying to attend both TMEA and ATSSB areas (they did not allow him to audition at ATSSB Area).  They wanted clarification regarding testing starting notes in auditions.  They also suggested having students play the scales and fast etude, then the slow etude in the second session to better balance the times.  Referred to SARC.
 Jennifer Willison asked Area Coordinators help in housing procedures.  She asked those interested in serving as Floor Monitors to advise her early.
 
Mr. Page reminded the Board to consider candidates carefully and to vote from the heart.  Lonnie Dooley asked if ATSSB had a preference concerning candidates for TMEA office and was told that each one should listen to what TMEA candidates had to say in the General Session, then vote accordingly.
 
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.

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.  This year, we were able to have one judge from each area on each panel.  I would especially like to thank Jody Digby from Atlanta and Mark Beatty from Lone Oak for their much needed help with the audition process behind the scenes .

A special thanks goes out to each person who helped by judging or monitoring.  I hope I didnÍt leave anyone out.
 

Again, thanks to everyone for making the auditions run as smoothly as they did.  Have a great Spring.
 
Association of Texas Small School Bands
Neal Sutton, All-State Seating Tryout Organizer
705 Rabbit Blvd.
Atlanta, Texas  75551
(903) 799-1032 _ Telephone
(903)799-1033 - Fax
nsutton@tenet.edu _ e-mail
 

My name is Jake Porter.  I was 1st bassoon in the All-State Concert Band this year. I had a great time and wanted to let you know that I really appreciate all of the hard work and effort you and everyone else gave to make the students' weekend one of the greatest and most memorable one ever.  Ms. Willison did an excellent job with the rooms.  Tell her I said so.  Mr. Huckeby was an outstanding director and I enjoyed him a lot.  Everything ran so smoothly and I noticed no problems.  What I'm saying is: I was impressed.  My parents and grandparent loved the concert.  The only comment they had that was negative was that introducing of all the people took too long. Maybe next year a remedy to that situation will have been thought of.  Other than that, my parents were "ooo-ing" and "ahh-ing" everything.  Thanks again for all of your hard work.
 

During this past week, as we culminated our seventh year with that absolutely phenomenal All-State Concert, I found myself many times reflecting on the past seven years and the changes in ATSSB and in TMEA. I felt compelled to take a few minutes to share some of those thoughts with you.
 The excellent 'History of ATSSB' that Kenneth, Mike, Lonnie, Ronnie, and others put together for a recent newsletter tells the story very well, but no historical perspective can touch the entire scope of any event. As a founding member, it is still startling when I think back to that meeting only eight years ago this March, which began so melancholy ('Is there anything we can do?'), but ended with such optimism (although somewhat guarded). Several times the comment was made, "If we can manage to pull together 100 members this first year, we should consider ATSSB a success." The rest, as they say, is history. Only eight years ago! Not even 3000 days!
 I sat in the Band Division meeting this year listening to discussions about the re-evaluation of the All-State process, and the recommendations for change. I listened to the Band Division Chairman talk about things like doing everything they can to make the 4A directors feel a part of the process, wanting to do what is in the best interest of the education of all of the music students in Texas, reassuring us that the input of all of us was important in this process, and I was struck by how different this was from what we heard just a few years ago! I sat there listening to the support speeches for those running for Band Division Chairman and President-Elect, and something astonishing occurred to me. For the first time, I thought differently about what we have been hearing in many of these speeches for seven years - the need to bring unity to the Band Division and TMEA as a whole. It occurred to me that we were considering (and eventually electing) the second President-elect to come from the College Division in the past seven years. In that time, members of the Choir and Orchestra Divisions have also held that position. We heard plans for adding a third (or is it fifth?!) All-State Band, and because the leadership of TMEA wants every student to have an equitable opportunity in the All-State process, we are also planning the addition of an All-State String Orchestra and an All-State Treble Choir. It occurred to me that those who were calling for bringing unity to TMEA have missed something very important - we already did that!
 On a more personal side, one of the most incredible moments of my life occurred seven years ago this past February. As the Band Organizer for the first All-State Band, I had a unique perspective for the opening moments of that first Concert. I still have no real solid estimate of how many people attended that concert. There had been 500 programs printed, and they were gone in a flash (I had 2300 printed this year). Many of us had expressed concern throughout the week that people wouldn't find us, or that they wouldn't want to walk over to the Scottish Rite, yet when the time arrived, people just kept pouring in. I was sitting at the front corner of the Scottish Rite, by the percussion section. When Mike Marsh walked to the podium and said, "Welcome to the FIRST Association of Texas Small School Bands All-State Band Concert," and that wall of people erupted into what must have been at least a five minute standing ovation, I was completely overwhelmed. I could not see Mike's reaction because of where I was, but I could read it in the response of the audience. I'm sure that the kids and many of the parents were somewhat confused at the time, as we cheered those students, and Mike, but I think mostly we cheered ourselves in a rush of emotion as we realized that with those words, we had actually accomplished what so many had said could not be done, or was even unnecessary and pointless! Like many of you who were there, I was moved to tears. The convention that year was a whirlwind of stunning moments for us, from the election results, to the number of people coming up to anyone wearing one of our badges (I still refer to them as 'targets') to express congratulations and gratitude for what we had accomplished (people were already talking about State Marching Contests, State Solo and Ensemble Contests, and that no matter what, do not ever relinquish control of that All-State Band to TMEA). For me, however, none comes close to the first moments of that concert, when I thought the same thing I thought after hearing that incredible All-State Concert this year, "My God, look what we've done!"
 
Mike Hardy
 

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