Organizational Information
The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association was founded as an unincorporated educational organization in 1962. The organization was founded for anyone interested in the improvement of school bands. The association's origin is attributable to the enthusiasm expressed by many bandmasters in the State of Nebraska for such a state group.
The Corporation is organized to promote the education of youth and the improvement of school bands by providing experiences and information to aid the teachers of wind and percussion instruments. Further, it is concerned with matters which make for a professional climate in the State of Nebraska, in order to attract and retain quality teachers.
The Corporation's major activity will be an annual convention for the membership which will afford an opportunity for workshops, clinics, demonstrations, and lecture sessions toward the above named purpose. The discussion of professional problems in both formal and informal situations is recognized as a valuable contribution to these activities. Its members affirm their full support for the existing professional groups in our state. Active membership in N.S.B.A., N.M.E.A., and the full support of the N.S.A.A. as District Music Contest sponsor is a basic tenet of the group. The effective channels these organizations provide and the excellent liaison between them are fully appreciated by the NSBA membership. The corporation believes that its efforts can best be evaluated by the ultimate contribution which the band makes to schools, communities, and the education of youth.
.The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association was born on January 6, 1962, the meeting being held at Pershing Municipal Auditorium at 3:00 p.m. [An invitation for the first organizational meeting was carried in the December issue of the Nebraska Music Educator magazine. Presiding was David Fowler of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The following were in attendance:
Fred A. Semin, Brainard
B. A. "Bud" Johnson, Syracuse
Kenneth Johnson, Columbus
Richard Kucera, Robin Mickle Junior High, Lincoln
Orlan Thomas, University High School, Lincoln
Jack Snider, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Duane Schulz, Northeast High School, Lincoln
Paul Austin, Southeast High School, Lincoln
Phil Murphy, Lincoln Pius X High School, Lincoln
William Wurtz, Schuyler
James Imig, Nebraska City
Paul Parker, Omaha Westside
Robert Maag, Waverly
Lumir Havlicek, Dorchester
Dr. James M. King, Hastings College
Arthur Schrepel, Pawnee City
Byron Havlicek, Columbus
Three committees came as a result of this organizational meeting:
Organizing
Constitution
Convention Program
Byron Havlicek was appointed Treasurer Pro Tem and was authorized to receive dues in the amount of $5.00. A convention was planned for June 1-2, 1962 at the Nebraska Union on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.
Since several persons in the organizing committee for the first convention were also members of the Nebraska Marching Band Festival Committee (Pershing Auditorium), the Festival committee under the direction of Phil Murphy allocated $300 to NSBA for the first year's program. The Nebraska Marching Band Festival Committee donated over $11,000 to the NSBA until 1985, when NSBA became financially able to support themselves.
This is our 49th year!