Thursday, November 17, 2011

ABA All-State Remote Registration Instructions

Alabama Bandmasters Association

·        DEADLINE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION AND MONEY POSTMARK: DECEMBER 12, 2011.
·        MAIL FEES TO:   Jeff Gossett
Jacksonville High School
1000 George Douthit Dr., SW
Jacksonville, AL 36265

Please read and follow the instructions below and good luck…
1.                Click on link to www.audmgr.com and click on the link at the bottom on the left side. “Download Area“.  There is a PC and Mac version.  DOWNLOAD THE REMOTE REGISTRATION NOT AUDITITION MANAGER. Click on the appropriate format for your system.  Choose save and save to your desktop or a folder.  This is a file and not an installed program.  Once the download is complete close the program.
2.                Download the CATEGORIES file here.  Save the CATEGORIES file in the same place as your Remote Registration. THE FILE MUST BE IN THE SAME PLACE FOR REMOTE REGISTRATION TO WORK, EITHER ON YOUR DESKTOP OR IN A FOLDER.
6.                Close window.
7.                Once you have both files in the same place, click on the remote registration program.  Click Run. A window will open with a drop down menu.
8.                Select the band which you wish to register students.  (High School, Middle School, District 1 and 2 Unassigned Middle and High School String Bass, Unassigned Middle School Honor Band).
9.                A new window will open.
10.            Fill out ALL director information.
a.       USE CORRECT PUNCTUATION AND CAPITALIZATION.
b.      On the school, put the name of the school and then use one of the following abbreviations:
                                                   i.      High school – HS
                                                 ii.      Middle School – MS
                                                iii.      Junior High – JHS
c.       Do not use all capitals on the student’s names.
d.      Enter MENC Number.  Please include a copy of the back of your card with your check.
11.            Type in the amount at $10.00 per student. (EXAMPLE 4 registered = $40.00).
12.            The School Fee is ($15.00).
13.            Add #11 and #12 and put total in this box.  If using a PO, please put the PO number in the box after the total.  Otherwise just put the total.
14.            High school, Middle school, and the Unassigned Middle School registrations go to Jeff Gossett at Jacksonville High School
15.            Click on Add Student.
16.            Type first name.
17.            Type last name.
18.            Fill out Grade.
19.            Choose scheduling preference early, late or none.  THIS IS FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES NOT ALL STUDENTS.  THIS CLOGS THE SCHEDULE.  THE STUDENTS THAT NEED A SPECIAL TIME WILL NOT RECEIVE IT.
20.            Choose instrument from category menu.
21.            Click on Add record to add another student or add record close if you are finished.
22.            Once all students have been entered, save under the file menu.
23.            Then click on send and follow the instructions.  (IF YOUR SYSTEM BLOCKS THIS YOU WILL BE PROMPTED TO EMAIL YOUR REGISTRATION AUTOMATICALLY TO THE CHAIRMAN.)
24.            Select Print from file menu and send with payment by deadline.
25.            You will receive an automated email receipt of your registration.
26.            Senior High All State, Middle School All State District 1 and 2 unassigned will be mailed to Jeff Gossett at Jacksonville High School.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

A Message from NBA state chair, Corey Spurlin

I hope you have had a successful Fall Semester. As the Alabama state chair for the National Band Association, I am writing to encourage your participation and membership in this important professional organization. If you are unfamiliar with the NBA, it was founded in 1960 and promotes the musical and educational significance of bands. It is dedicated to the attainment of the highest levels of excellence for bands and band music. We are living and working in a time where advocacy for bands is extremely important, and the NBA is solely focused on the promotion of this single artistic medium. The organization does not limit membership to a certain style or level of band participation, but is open to all teachers and performers that wish to advance the art form. 

On a national level, the NBA has numerous projects that help advance band music and education. The organization provides all members with the official NBA magazine, The Instrumentalist. The NBA also publishes the NBA Journal and provides an online directory to help communication and collegiality among band directors. Members also have access to a selective concert band music list to aid with programming. The organization holds national and regional conventions and sponsors the Revelli Composition Contest, the Merrill Jones Young Composers Contest, the International Conducting Symposium, and the Young Composer and Conductor Mentor Projects. These are just a few of the NBA projects that help develop excellence in band performance at all levels and provide an avenue for the enhancement of band literature.

On the state level, NBA presents awards at the AMEA conference and other state and regional events to recognize outstanding achievement in band performance and education. Should you become a member of NBA, you would be eligible to nominate and present some NBA awards in your county/district as well as within your own band program. This is a great way to honor a deserving colleague or student in your band or in your area. A listing of these awards, which are all free to members, can be found at: http://www.nationalbandassociation.org/about/awards.asp. When needed and requested, the Alabama membership of NBA also sponsors events (honor bands, clinics, guest performers, etc...) that help further the development and recognition of bands in our state. It is my goal to increase the Alabama membership in NBA by 15% so that we may be able to offer more services to our state directors and programs. I would love to hear your suggestions regarding ways that NBA can better serve your needs in the state.

I know their many options for professional membership in our field, but NBA is dedicated to your needs as band director. If you would like to become a member, dues are $55 and there are numerous benefits other than supporting your profession:
* The Instrumentalist - official monthly magazine, sent to all active members. 
* The NBA Journal - published three times yearly (May, October (NBA insert in The Instrumentalist) & December) 
* Access to all areas of the web site, www.nationalbandassociation.org including selective music lists, conducting and composition projects, awards, grants, and much more.
You can join online or print out a form and mail in the application for membership: http://www.nationalbandassociation.org/join/ or http://www.nationalbandassociation.org/pdfs/home/nba_application.pdf
The NBA is a wonderful organization of professional music educators. I do hope you1;ll plan to join this worthwhile organization today, and I look forward to seeing your name added to our statewide roster.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Corey Spurlin
NBA Alabama State Chair
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Associate Director of Bands
Director, Auburn University Marching Band
334-844-3179 (office)
334-844-3170 (fax)