First Vice President’s Message

RANDALL COLEMAN

Whew! As we approach the end to the school year, we should all take time to celebrate the fact that “WE MADE IT!!” Through the multitude of hurdles, the end of another challenging year is in reach. For so many teachers I have spoken with, the one trait that continues to come to my mind is resiliency. Despite all the unimaginable difficulties that our profession has faced, so many of you never stopped searching for the best way to provide a quality music education experience for your students. As we turn the calendar toward a new school year, here’s hoping that all those major complications are in our rearview mirror. We can learn from them, keep the good and move on from the bad and prepare for a new school year with anticipation and excitement…our students deserve nothing less. Our students will certainly be looking forward to the new school year, eager to find those things from our programs that provide them spaces and outlets to be comfortable, safe, and successful.

Even through the pandemic, your National Band Association has continued to work to provide opportunities and resources for our members. Our organization is so fortunate to have gained membership over the past two years, and to maintain a high level of financial security. With some of our major programs coming back this year, the NBA is pleased that all our resources and programs are back and working at a “full-speed ahead” pace. As always, I encourage you to visit our website under the “What We Offer” tab to make use of the multitude of projects and programs that NBA has to offer. These programs are there for all our membership and I hope you will take advantage of the incredible array of resources at your fingertips. This spring also marks the end of the 2020-2022 biennium for the National Band Association. Allow me to take a moment to express my gratitude and admiration for our President, Dr. Rebecca Phillips. Becky has guided our organization through two very challenging years with her love for music and music learning, her incredible compassion for those in her care, and her amazing leadership skills. I am honored to have learned from her during her tenure and look forward to having her continued involvement as she begins her term as Past President. With great admiration, thank you, Dr. Phillips! With Becky moving to the office of past president, that means that we can also thank Dr. Scott Tobias for his incredible service to our profession and organization over the past eight years. Dedicating almost a decade

With some of our major programs coming back this year, the NBA is pleased that all our resources and programs are back and working at a full-speed ahead pace.

to an organization is a tremendous investment and the mark that Scott leaves on our organization is certainly lasting. I am so fortunate to have been able to watch Scott in action over the past four years. His institutional knowledge of our organization is astonishing, and I have come to truly admire his ability to analyze a situation and formulate a solution that is best for all concerned. Thank you and congratulations, Dr. Tobias! I have also had the great pleasure to work with Matt Temple as our 2nd VicePresident. Matt is an incredible team member and has been such a joy to get to know over these past two years. Matt is a thoughtful leader and brilliant teacher, and his work continues to be an asset to the NBA. Our organization is so very fortunate to have Dr. Linda Moorhouse as our Executive Secretary-Treasurer. Linda is the “guiding light” for the NBA and does so much for us that many times goes unseen. Linda, along with our Office Manager Terri Daniels, keeps all our affairs in order and allows us to be able to continue the path forward. Please be sure to thank both Linda and Terri when the opportunities arise. As you will see, this edition of the NBA Journal contains biographies from the candidates for the elected positions on our Executive Committee and Board of Directors. A tremendous thank you to our Past Presidents Nominating Committee for your excellent work with a remarkable slate of candidates. Please take time to read the biographies and be sure to cast your vote for the future of our organization!

Lastly, thank you all for allowing me the professional honor and privilege of serving as your First Vice-President. I can vividly remember sitting in my office way back in 1982 and looking at my membership certificate after joining NBA as a first-year teacher. That firstyear teacher never imagined the path that would eventually lead me through the past four years serving an organization that means so much to us all. I am a much better teacher and person today thanks to those who have touched my life over the past four years as your 1st and 2nd Vice-President. I am forever grateful for the new friendships that have been forged during this time and stand firmly on the shoulders of my colleagues and friends since that long ago day in 1982 when I sat with that first membership certificate. Now, as I embark on the great honor of serving you as the 30th President of the National Band Association, I do so with the greatest humility, appreciation, and excitement. I will work hard every day, along with our new Executive Committee and Board of Directors, to give you and your students programs and resources that will provide your students with the greatest opportunities for success. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of assistance to you or your program.

Randall Coleman First Vice-President National Band Association