January 25, 2021
 
 
 
Dear Fellow Band Directors,  
 
Last Thursday was truly a dark day for all of us with the passing of Mr. Stuart Bird. Many band directors and students have been touched by this great man. His sincerity for his profession and compassion for students was an everyday event for Mr. Bird. His friendship was extended to everyone he met, and he was indeed a friend you could always count on. His knowledge, ability and desire for you and your group to achieve a higher goal was always his norm. Mr. Bird had a way to excite your students and directors into achieving these higher standards.
I was blessed with having Stuart as High School principal while I was at Carthage High School, as well having Sharon as my assistant. The Lord blessed us with these two individuals and made our lives fuller. There was truly only one Stuart Bird, and we were given a gift with days we had him.
If you were one of the individuals blessed with knowing Mr. Bird, a scholarship fund has been established. Please mail any donations to the address below:
Stuart Bird Scholarship Fund
Austin Bank
507 W. Duval Street
Troup, Texas 75789
 
Thank you for your time.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Jim Jones
Exec. Sec.
NAMMB 

2A
1st: Carlisle HS
2nd: Timpson HS
3rd: Union Grove HS

4A
1st: Lindale HS
2nd: Spring Hill HS
3rd: Gilmer HS

UIL/NAMMB State Contest information for Band Directors:

Wednesday, December 9, @Pine Tree Stadium, Longview

11:00 Shelbyville
11:17 Union Grove
11:34 Carlisle
11:51 Timpson
12:08 Beckville
12:30 Drum Major Retreat/ 2A Awards

2:00 Van
2:17 Center
2:34 Henderson
2:51 Carthage
3:08 Lindale
3:25 Vidor
3:42 BREAK
3:59 Gilmer
4:16 Hardin-Jefferson
4:33 Bullard
4:50 Brownsboro
5:07 Spring Hill
5:30 Drum Major Retreat/ 4A Awards

Performance Times:
10:00 Shelbyville
10:30 San Augustine
11:00 Timpson
11:30 West Sabine
12:00 Cushing
12:30 Carlisle
1:00 Beckville
BREAK
2:00 Hemphill
2:30 Troup
3:00 West Rusk
3:30 Diboll
Break
4:30 Carthage

5:00 Tenaha

Clinicians: Doice Grant, Stuart Bird, Neil Grant
​Adjudicators: Larry Ward, Richard Lovelace, Mike Geddie

Pre UIL dates: 
Contest, Sat. November 7th @ Carthage
Entry Deadline October 28th

State UIL/NAMMB:
Contest, Wed. December 9th @ Pine Tree
​Entry Deadline December 1st

As of 4:05 Friday afternoon (8/14), Pine Tree has agreed to host the First UIL/NAMMB State Military Marching contest. Pine Tree has hosted numerous Region and Area marching contest and have an outstanding facility. Please extend your thanks to this Outstanding School.

Jim Jones
Exec. Sec.
NAMMB

​Dear Fellow Military Marching Band Director,
 
I hope this email finds you excited to start one of the most unique years in the history of education. Social distancing, face mask required, wash your hands frequently and Covid 19, are several phrases that we never used in 2019. Welcome to 2020 and a new way to do marching band.
 
After a great deal of consideration by the Executive Committee, we are canceling the annual NAMMB retreat. We had reserved the pavilion at Lake Murvaul and they have agreed to move the reservation to next year’s date, Aug 21, 2021. Please help us spread the word of the cancellation.
 
The UIL State Military Marching contest is set (at this time) for December 9, 2020 (UPDATED 9/29).  The Star venue that was discussed was abandoned when the final contract stated the cost of $63,000.00. NAMMB would put down $35,000.00 at the signing of the contract and pay the balance at the completion of the competition. With a beginning balance of $43,000.00, a down payment of $35,000.00, questionable ticket sales due to the Covid 19 virus, and a $35,000.00 down payment for the next year at the Star, it was not financially feasible at this time. The Executive Committee chose to go with another venue for this year and possibly next year. I am currently in the process of securing a site. Stephen F. Austin will not be able to commit to hosting an event on that date, or any date in the fall semester at this time. I have checked with a couple of large high schools, but have not secured a venue at this time. If you have any suggestions, please get in touch with me.
 
The Pre UIL contest is tentatively scheduled for November 7, 2020 at Carthage High School with an additional options. You may choose performance with a clinician working your band after your performance, clinician and judging (top three places in each classification) or no clinician and no judging, exhibition only. Additional information will follow as time gets closer.
 
The $1,000.00 NAMMB scholarship winners for this year are: Hope Ratley – Carthage, Molly Rudd – New Diana, and Brayden Todd Loosier – Henderson. Congratulations to these fine musicians.
 
Be sure you go to the NAMMB web site to get your membership and read additional information as it materializes. It is imperative that we secure your membership and your staff memberships, so that we might built up our funds for a stellar venue in the future.
 
 
Jim Jones
Exec. Sec.
NAMMB