Band directors must be some of the busiest people on a school’s campus. So, if you’re reading this, you’ve decided to at least pause for a few minutes and set aside the hustle and bustle of the new year long enough to see what’s happening with your ABA. I’m not going to promise riveting revelations, but I am going to applaud you for what you’re doing in this moment: pausing.
We can’t avoid being busy. It’s the nature of the job. Granted, there’s a degree to which we do it to ourselves, but the demands of the job are constant. Rehearsal plans, parent contacts, keeping up with instrument inventories and music libraries, travel logistics…the list goes on. We’re constantly spinning all the plates so our students can have the best band experience we can give them. That’s what we signed up for, and we love it. We love it because we know what it gives our students. But we also know how much it can take from us, and at the same time, our families.
As you start this new year, I want to encourage you to protect yourself, your family, and your students by making time away from band. I’ve told my students that when it comes to practice time, if they’re trying to “find” time, it probably won’t happen. They have to “make” time. The same goes for us and the balance between work and everything else. We can’t just say, “I’ll try to find more time to take care of myself.” Be intentional and make time. Make time to pause the crazy schedule and enjoy something that recharges you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You and everyone around you will be better for it!
Shifting to business, the ABA board met in June to discuss plans and policies for the upcoming school year. During our meeting, Doug Farris, our Executive Secretary, provided a financial update that highlights our association’s enduring stability and consistent forward momentum. Additionally, President-Elect Gene Butler brought forth several key recommendations from the Music Selection Committee. These updates include new additions to both our MPA Cumulative and Solofest Approved lists, as well as refined requirements for scales and audition materials for future All-State events.
Kelvin Benion, President of the Jazz Association, also shared encouraging news regarding the ongoing development and success of Jazz MPA. As we look toward the next school year, planning for this event is already in motion.
We’re excited to announce the addition of a dedicated Webmaster and Social Media Coordinator for the ABA. This is a paid position that will maintain the alaband.org website and a healthy social media presence for the ABA. You can find more information about the position and the application and hiring timeline on the ABA website.
The board adopted an updated policy for out-of-state adjudicators to apply for and be added to our certified judges list for Music Performance Assessment. That policy can be found in the published bylaws and board policies on the ABA website.
At our annual conference in January, we will elect new officers for the positions of President-Elect, Recording Secretary, and Jazz Chair-Elect. If you have a person in mind that you believe is well-suited to serve the association in one of these roles, please reach out to one of the members of our nominating committee: Jennifer Janzen, Jeremy Willis, Heather Henson, or Hunter Miller.
In addition to the elections, we will have a handful of proposals to vote on. The proposals are listed below. As always, please read these carefully and stay informed about potential changes to legislation.
I hope everyone has a great year!