Texarkana, TX – Texas High School will serve as the host school for the 2015 Four States Bandmasters Association (FSBA) Convention & Clinic. The event will be held Thursday, January 15 thru Saturday, January 17 with an estimated 350 students, directors, clinicians and exhibitors attending representing 54 schools from the four states area.
The FSBA Convention & Clinic brings together the musical abilities of area students who have been nominated to the Four States Honor Band by area band directors. During the course of the convention, students audition for one of three bands: jazz, concert and symphonic. Following their concert assignment, students rehearse on a daily basis and present a series of concerts to the community which will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 2:00 p.m. in the John Thomas Theatre of the Sullivan Performing Arts Center. Admission is FREE and the public is invited to attend.
Band conductors for the concert series are chosen by the FSBA. This year’s conductors will be: Dick Eckstein, Associate Director of Bands for Mt. Vernon ISD and Conductor of the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra (Four States Jazz Band); Dr. Craig Hamilton, Professor of Music and Director of Bands for Ouachita Baptist University (Four States Concert Band); and Dr. Tim Oliver, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands for Arkansas State University (Four States Symphonic Band).
Additionally, FSBA will induct three exceptional band leaders and members into the Hall of Fame. They include: James Coffman, former Band Director for New Boston High School; Frank Garza, former Band Director for Liberty Eylau High School; and Robin Watson, former Band Director of New Boston High School.
Schedule of events are as follows:
Thursday, January 15:
1:00 p.m. Registration Desk Opens (Sullivan Performing Arts Center)
2:00 p.m. Exhibitor Set-Up (Sullivan Performing Arts Center)
2:00 p.m. All Honor Band Participant Meeting (Texas High Band Hall)
2:15 – 5:00 p.m. Auditions
6:00 p.m. Concert by Four States Bandmasters Association
AR Honor Band – University of Arkansas @ Monticello Jazz Band
Gary Meggs, Conductor
(John Thomas Theatre)
ADMISSION IS FREE & PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND
6:00 p.m. Results of Auditions posted (Sullivan Performing Arts Center)
6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Rehearsals/Exhibits Open
Jazz Band (Texas High School Band Hall II)
Concert Band (Texas High School Band Hall)
Symphonic Band (Sullivan Performing Arts Center Stage)
Friday, January 16:
8:30 a.m. Registration (Sullivan Performing Arts Center)
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Rehearsals
(Texas High School Band Hall & Sullivan Performing Arts Center)
8:30 – Noon Exhibit Opens (Sullivan Performing Arts Center)
9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Clinic – “Teaching Beginning Percussion”
Speaker: Dr. Ryan Lewis (Ouachita Baptist University)
1:30 – 5:00 p.m. Rehearsals/Exhibit Opens
2:30 – 3:45 p.m. Clinic – “In-Depth look at the Award-winning Atlanta Band Program”
Speaker: Keith Sanders & Staff (Atlanta High School)
Saturday, January 17:
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Rehearsals (Texas Middle & Texas High School Band Halls,
Sullivan Performing Arts Center)
2:00 p.m. Concert Series (John Thomas Theatre)
Itinerary: Hall of Fame Induction
Jazz Band Performance
Concert Band Performance
Symphonic Band Performance
ADMISSION IS FREE & PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND
