Jason Foundation, Inc. and you!

As I became President of ASBDA in 2007, there were several people that expressed to me their frustration that ASBDA was not offering anything practical for our members. There was also a feeling at that time to increase our presence as a vital organization beyond our membership. Also during that period, I was introduced to my friend, Clark Flatt and his foundation to help prevent teen suicide. An idea: a chance for us to offer our members something practical and lend our support to a national cause. Already working with the Jason Foundation (named for his son, who took his life as a teenager) were groups such as the American High School Football Coaches Association and the High School Wrestling Association. My thoughts after 24+ years in teaching was that as band directors, we are in closer contact with our students (of both sexes, where the football and wrestling programs are primarily geared towards males) and often in our programs, we deal with the same students for several years. If any one group of teachers knows their students and makes an impact on their lives, it is US! They refer to teen suicide as the silent epidemic and while no one wants to talk about it, if you teach long enough, it will effect you or your school in some way. Teens today have a lot a "junk" to deal with. We are the ones on the front lines that can notice changes in behavior and other factors that can allow us to make a real difference.

The training provided by JFI via our website can be used by anyone simply by clicking on the link. Most states now require some type of suicide prevention training as part of yearly professional development. By completing these sessions, you may be able to fulfill this on your own. Even if this is not the case, the things mentioned are needed by teachers and parents of today's students. The goal of JFI is NOT to turn us all into counselors and psychiatric consultants! This is merely to open our eyes to look for collective patterns of behavior that may signal a problem and then allow us to put students in touch with professionals.

I urge all of our membership to go to the link and complete the training modules offered online. There is no cost and again, you can print out certificates of completion at the end which may be used for professional development training (note, some systems require an "in person" workshop, but maybe YOU can set that up through JFI or an affiliate in your area).

Teen suicide is not something we want to discuss, but it has everything to do with our "teaching" as we are responsible for the well being of our students. Our subject is "band," but we're teaching the kids and WE are the ones that see them everyday. I know in my career there have been several "referrals," some which I am sure made the difference. There have also been some that were defiant and parents in denial, but the kids are still around, so in the scheme of things, I know that I did the right thing. And yes, unfortunately, there have been a few that I missed. We can't all see every sign, but if we make a difference in ONE life, then that's worth it.

If you need more information, their site and contacts on their staff are more than helpful. You can also set up parent information links on your school website and they can help you with that. Please let other teachers in your system know about this and they too can access the free training via our www.asbda.com site.

Enjoy living!
Jeff Phillips, Immediate Past President, ASBDA

Posting Challenge Extended

Okay, folks - let others know that this challenge is out there. I'd really like to encourage members to begin regularly reading the ASBDA Blog, and posting comments, as well. To encourage this, (and because last week had a big holiday break), I'd like to extend the blog post challenge for one more week - post a comment about who you would give the extra Curriculum Guide I found, I'll choose one comment at random, and will send the Curriculum Guide to you! If you are an ASBDA member, consider a student teacher, young teacher, or college methods class teacher to give this to - and then tell 2 other members to read the blog and post a comment!

Watch here for more articles about what is happening in ASBDA!

Cindy Swan-Eagan, President
American School Band Directors Association

Post a Comment

I'd like to issue a challenge this week for all ASBDA members to post a comment to the blog - let's encourage everyone to read the blog on a regular basis. This week's challenge will also include a bonus - I have one extra curriculum guide that I found while I was cleaning out my office. I'd like to offer that as a bonus to one ASBDA member - I'll send it to you free of charge, BUT - you must post a comment, and you must tell me who you'd like to give it to - a prospective member, a student teacher, a student who is interested in pursuing a career in band music education???

So, post away & let's see how many posts we can get going - encourage other members in your area/state to post as well!

Cindy Swan-Eagan, President
American School Band Directors Assocation

Check the website, check the blog

Be sure to check out the ASBDA website - Bruce Fox has updated the information regarding this summer's convention in Orlando - check there to get the latest information.

Also, keep checking the blog - those of you who have been reading it regularly know that I'm trying to make a post weekly. Please know that next week's post will include a challenge - and it will involve getting as many people as possible to post a comment - it's easy to do, and I'm hoping it will encourage everyone who has never posted a blog comment before to try it! So... your challenge for this week is to tell 2 people who may not have read the blog lately to check it out. Next week, watch for the first ASBDA blog challenge!

Cindy Swan-Eagan, President

'Tis the season

Yes, we'll be seeing and hearing that statement a lot over the next few weeks as the 'holiday' season is upon us - no matter your background, there are many holidays and celebrations forthcoming over the next few weeks and months.

That's not what I'm talking about, however. This time of year, for ASBDA, is a time of celebration of another kind - the celebration of new membership. Now is the time for all of us to begin thinking of new member candidates to sponsor. I hope you will familiarize yourself with the membership process, and find another band director who should be an ASBDA member, but currently is not.

It's important to be candid with the prospective new member - tell them that ASBDA is an active organization, and success in the organization requires active participation from it's members. Remind them of the fact that they should be attempting to attend a national convention within their first three years of membership. Let them know that committees of members, just like themselves, worked diligently to produce such iconic publications as "The ASBDA Curriculum Guide," and our Sousa recordings & handouts, as well as all of our helpful publications.

It's also important to remind them that they will get out of membership what they put into it -- I just recently had a young student come in my office to tell me that he would be dropping band at the conclusion of the term. I asked him why he felt this necessary - his response, a classic - "well, Mrs. Eagan, it's just not as fun as it used to be." When I asked what had made it fun before, he said "When we'd go to solo & ensemble, and when we'd do things together, well those were great times. I enjoyed everything else, but that was just great!" I asked him why he had stopped getting involved in all of the "extras" band had to offer - he told me he didn't really know, but that when he stopped doing those extra things, it didn't seem to be as much fun any more. "Perhaps," I suggested, "you need to get involved again, before you stop completely - see what really active involvement does to your attitude about membership."

I think it's important to be honest with our new member candidates - their active involvement will directly influence their overall benefit from membership. The more active they are willing to become in the organization, the greater the benefits of membership.

So, be sure to think of a new member candidate, counsel them, and begin the membership process - 'tis the season!

Until next week -
Cindy Swan-Eagan, President
ASBDA

Minnesota Chapter Middle School Small Ensemble Day

Happy November, everyone!

Read this wonderful account from Past President, Randy Lee of Minnesota about the wonderful project their state has done for the past 5 years!

ASBDA-MN is proud to announce the successful completion of its 5th annual SMALL ENSEMBLE DAY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, at Southview Middle School in Edina, MN

Thanks to our hosts, ASBDA members, Bob Ouren and Geneva Fitzsimmonds (state chair), we were able to teach 75 middle school band students! With seven ASBDA-MN members and two other hired instructors we were able to offer students this opportunity to receive training and experience performing in small ensembles, such as brass choirs, saxophone ensembles, clarinet choirs, flute ensembles, percussion quintets, etc. Participating schools: Southview, Buffalo, Hermantown, St. Anthony, Morgan Park, Chaska, Woodland, and Valleyview Middle School. Six of those schools have ASBDA member directors. Others were invited. COST TO STUDENTS was ONLY $15. They added on $5 and had a pizza, pop, and cookie lunch. Participating students must have had at least one year of band experience and be in 7th or 8th grade. The surprise of the day was when some members of the MN Orchestra came in to the building, coincidentally, in prep for a Chamber Music event to take place the following day. The clarinet group got a visit from Burt Hara, principal clarinetist of the MN Orchestra, who played briefly for them, talked for a few minutes, and even let a student try his clarinet?!

**SCHEDULE of the day**

9:30-9:50 check in

10:00 Began the day all together to talk about small ensemble playing, to assess needs and attendance (illness? Or surprises), etc. A staff clarinet trio performed briefly. Instructors determined final instrumentation with abilities, experience, age and also practical ways to group students with the staff and facilities available.

10:20 - students break into their ensembles and begin rehearsal, led by ASBDA directors and guest teachers.

11:30 University of MN Brass Quintet performed!

LUNCH HOUR – pizza (Chapter meeting took place while parents and other staff helped supervise students)

1:00 - master classes - A nice woodwind quintet was also formed from the top players.

2:00 More small ensemble rehearsal

3:00 student groups perform. PARENTS, FRIENDS, GRANDPARENTS, AND OTHER GUESTS CAME TO WATCH THE FINAL CONCERT!!

Randy Lee, Event Coordinator

Staff for the day included:

Geneva Fitzsomonds, host, state chair, woodwinds

Katie Sandor, flute

Terri Svec, double reeeds
Paul Isaacs, clarinet

Randy Lee, saxophone

Bob Ouren, host, brass

Eric Anderson, brass

and
Leslie Churchill, brass

Bruce Taylor, percussion, and Josh Greenberg, woodwinds, were hired to help.

And special thanks to Dr. David Baldwin who teaches the U of MN Brass Quintet and arranged their appearance once again!!

Minnesota chapter is also happy to report that our chapter will, as always, do a session at our state convention in February- *"Armed and Dangerous!* Teaching beginning band can be a treacherous endeavor, but whether you are a new teacher or have a few years under your belt, this session will address the unique challenges that come with beginning band programs. A panel of ASBDA members (Terri Svec, Randy Lee, Chris Ravndal, Katie Sandor, and Paul Isaacs) will address topics including: recruitment, instrument selection, retention, scheduling, rapport with building staff/administration, facility use, dealing with vendors and traveling between buildings. This session is sponsored by the MN Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association.

So - what else is going on around the country with ASBDA members making a difference in student's lives - let's hear about it, and share our great ideas with other state chapters! Until next Sunday -

Cindy Swan-Eagan, President

American School Band Directors Association

Orlando Convention Hotel - Brand New and It's a Beauty!

The brand new Hilton Orlando has been open officially now for just 1 month. It is the perfect location for a convention - ASBDA will enjoy being there this summer (July 6 - 10, 2010), as we join forces with the Florida Bandmasters Association for the second time, to have combined conventions.

The lobby is bright, airy & spacious, and the staff is attentive.

There are several wonderful ballrooms - our meetings, concerts and sessions will be held in these. They are within an easy walking distance of the guest rooms.

There are four on site restaurants, all with different menus, plus a deli sandwich shoppe. There are also several restaurants within easy walking distance - I will post a list of those in an upcoming blog post.


There is a business center, complete with computers and ticket printing stations, but also, a UPS Store! What a convenience!

The pool complex is fantastic, and this picture only shows half. I'll have more detailed pictures of this area in an upcoming blog post. We'll be walking distance from Sea World and the Sea World water park, but this pool complex may just make your family forget just how close we are to those other attractions!

Our 2010 convention is sure to be uplifting and inspiring - I'm not going to give it all away yet, but we have middle school, high school, community and military bands set to perform, some wonderful clinic sessions (including artistry with the middle school band, concert snare drum technique & a new music reading session), and of course, the ASBDA meetings. We'll also have extra time beyond what we've had in recent years devoted especially to regions being able to come together to plan their first ever regional conventions for 2011.

Information regarding making your room reservations with the hotel will be coming soon. You'll love the venue, and the room rate we have just can't be beat.

Convention registration information will be coming during it's usual mid-winter time, but mark your calendars now for the ASBDA Convention - July 6 - 10, 2010 - "Carrying the legacy into tomorrow!"

Until next Sunday - have a great week!

Cindy