I am writing this article, the morning after the decision was made to cancel our AMEA Professional Development Conference.  I was looking forward to celebrating the performances of our great ensembles, and the wonderful clinics that were going to inspire our members to reach for the stars and teach with the passion and purpose that brought them to this wonderful profession. I was looking forward to spending time visiting the exhibits and talking with old friends and meeting new colleagues.  I was excited…we all were excited, but Mother Nature had other plans and we were tasked with making a  difficult decision.  I am thankful to be part of a leadership team that takes their responsibilities to heart, that had foresight years ago to plan for rainy days, for leaders that are not afraid to make the difficult decisions, knowing the impact it would have on many people in our community.  While the excitement of the 2024 conference has been taken away, there is a renewed excitement of knowing the organization is in great hands with outstanding leadership, as we move into the upcoming weeks, months, and years.

One of the jobs that I was tasked with last night was to contact the band directors of each of the scheduled performing ensembles and break the news that the conference had been canceled and they would not be able to perform this year.  It was a difficult conversation that I had with each of them, as I completely understand the amount of energy, time, emotion, and financial investment it takes to perform at the state conference.  It is something a director thinks about every day, from the moment they receive the letter telling them they have been accepted until they step foot onto that stage and stand before their peers. So I encourage you all to reach out to Graham Bennett, John Cain, Matthew Chambliss, Justin Compton, Latrice Green, Meredyth Petersen, Jacob Souder, and Casey Thomas and express how much we appreciate what they and their students did to prepare for this event.  I am sure this would mean a great deal to each of them, knowing you took the time to show your support of their efforts.  After all, if we don’t lift each other up, then who will?

Speaking of lifting others up, join me in congratulating these outstanding band programs that recently participated or have been selected to perform in several national events.  The Alabama A&M University “Maroon and White Marching Band” was given the prestigious honor of leading the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this past November. The Hoover High School “First Edition” Jazz Band made its 3rd appearance at The Midwest Clinic in December 2023. The Albertville High School “Aggie Marching Band”  along with the University of Alabama “Million Dollar Marching Band”, performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA, in January 2024.  The Troy University Symphony Band, the Huntsville High School Wind Ensemble, and the Auburn Junior High School Wind Ensemble have been selected to perform at the 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference to be held February 29 – March 2, 2024, at the University of Memphis.

In looking forward, I am excited about several of our upcoming ABA events. This year we move to our new concert band Music Performance Assessment format, by using the new cumulative music list based on levels.  Please make sure you are using that list to choose your list piece.  Also, take a moment to look at the Sight-reading guidelines, the adjudication rubric, and other general information that is available on our website. 

Another new event for ABA is our Jazz Music Performance Assessment. The Jazz MPA Registration is now open in the Members Area of alaband.org. Thompson High School has agreed to be our host site this year, and the event will take place on Thursday, April 18. All information pertaining to the classification of bands, expectations, and the rubric are also posted on the website under the Jazz Division tab. 

I am extremely excited about the 2024 All-State Band and Solo Festival.  I encourage your students to participate in the Solo Festival.  It is such a wonderful opportunity for musical growth!  We are fortunate to have five incredible conductors for our All-State Bands this year. Dr. Paula Crider was scheduled to conduct the Red Band, but a recent PET scan revealed that her cancer has returned and she is having to cancel all of her spring engagements. Please join me in sending prayers for complete healing for this precious lady.   Mr. Richard Floyd will step in as our Red Band Conductor and Dr. Sue Samuels will replace him as our White Band Conductor. Carol Brittan Chambers will conduct the Blue Band, Cheryl Floyd will conduct the Middle School Red Band, and Mickey Smith, Jr will be the Middle School White Band Conductor.  We have several clinics scheduled and great exhibits to keep everyone engaged in all things Band!   

I cannot close this article without mentioning the passing of Robert W. Smith.  Much has been written about the impact he had on the entire world of music education.  Oh, how I cherish the fact that one of his last clinics was with us this past summer.  I was fortunate to be asked to share my thoughts with the Instrumentalist magazine this fall, where I shared some of my memories and due to space restraints the last paragraph that I wrote was edited out, but I think this is the perfect way to close this article.  “In many ways, Robert’s life was a reflection of the lyrics to the song  “The Greatest Love of All “.  He believed “the children are our future. Teach them well, and let them lead the way”. As teachers, we are responsible for the future…We teach the future…..and we need to carry forth and honor the legacy and remembrance of not just Robert W. Smith but all of those teachers whose lives impacted ours.