ABA Summer Convention Schedule, 2011

Tuesday, June 21, 2011
8:30-2:00 Board of Directors Meeting (working lunch).
2:00-4:00 Music Selection Committee.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011
8:30-9:30 Clinic: Listen Up! And Other Strategies for the Marching Band Rehearsal (Elva Kaye Lance).
9:45-11:15 Roundtable Discussion: Tips for Surviving and Thriving with Beginners (Terry Ownby).
1:00-4:00 ABA Adjudicator Clinic (Ken Ozzello).
6:30-8:00 ABA Social Hour.

Thursday, June 23, 2011
8:30-9:00 Board of Directors Meeting.
9:00-9:30 ABA General Business Meeting.
9:45-10:45 Clinic: But I Can’t Afford a Drum Instructor: Tips for the Band Director Instructing the Drum Line (Clay Sloan).
11:00-12:00 Old Fogey Series: Tommy Brannon.

ABA Summer Convention Info; June 22-23, 2011; Orange Beach, AL

Hampton Inn and Suites - 25518 Perdido Beach Blvd. - Orange Beach, AL

Tuesday, June 21: Board and Music Selection Committee Meetings

Wednesday-Thursday, June 22-23: Summer Convention

Dear Directors and Friends,

     I want to remind you of the deadline for our Summer Convention. It is very important that you register for both your room (by going to the ABA website and clicking on “Register for a Room at Hampton Inn and Suites” or by calling 1-800-426-7866 and use Group Code: ABM) and by registering for the conference (by printing out the preregistration form on the ABA website and mailing it to Mr. McAfee) BEFORE MAY 20, 2011!

Hampton Inn and Suites, Orange Beach

     We will have some outstanding clinics this year. Elva Kay Lance will present a clinic called “Listen Up! And Other Strategies for the Marching Rehearsal.” Clay Sloan will present a clinic that will be valuable to many directors called “But I Can’t Afford a Drum Instructor! Tips for the Band Director Teaching the Drum Line.” Terry Ownby will moderate a discussion entitled “Tips to Surviving and Thriving with Beginners.” Our goal in all of these clinics is to provide you with practical information that you can use this year. Other events are still in the planning stages – please send me your thoughts and suggestions!

     Wednesday afternoon the ABA Adjudicator Clinic will be offered. If you have not attended this, please consider attending even if you are not applying to become a certified adjudicator. Every one of us needs to know what the judges are listening for when they hear our band. Wednesday evening we will have our poolside fellowship.

     Our summer conference is a wonderful opportunity to pick up a few continuing education credits and to renew acquaintances in a beautiful, relaxed environment. If you have attended the last few years you are probably already looking forward to it! If not, maybe you should give it a try!

     I hope to see you in Orange Beach!



John Cooper