The meeting of the Florida Bandmasters Association District 1 was called to order at 6:15 p.m. by Chairman Tony Chiarito in the Gardenia Room at the Cayo Grande Suites Hotel in Ft. Walton. Chairman Chiarito welcomed everyone and extended his appreciation to Randy Nelson and the Choctawhatchee Band Parents for hosting the meeting and providing a wonderful dinner. The membership also extended their appreciation.

Chairman Chiarito reported that the current status of district funds is $5,395.96 . He also gave information regarding the high assessment this year ($5.35 per entry). Assessments have increased $1.65 per entry. Last year, our district was over budget by $3,161 because of three things. (1)-We were unable to rent pianos from music stores so we rented from individuals, schools, etc.. We were over budget by $1056 in this area. (2)-We underestimated the amount for state festival assessment fees. The budget had estimated 4,000 entries but the actual number was 6,955 entries. Therefore, we were over budget by $2,955. (3)-All-State audition fees increased from $5 to $10. This increase put us over budget by $1,470. Chairman Chiarito reported that most of the other district assessments were also higher. He anticipates that assessment fees should decrease next year.

Chairman Chiarito asked if there was any unfinished business that needed to be discussed. He asked for any comments regarding the Board and General Meeting Minutes. Several directors from the high school meeting expressed a concern about the personal opinions being shared from the podium in regards to the reclassification proposal. These members felt it was inappropriate.

All festival entry discs, printed forms, and assessment checks should be sent to Tony Chiarito and postmarked by January 26. Chairman Chiarito stated that he needs the information to be as correct as possible because last year he had to correct about 8 school’s entries in order to schedule them. This year we have less time to get the scheduling done. He also reminded the membership that we would have a "Festival for Schools" training session at the conclusion of the meeting.

Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment is scheduled for February 22-23 at Baker High School. High School students will be scheduled on Friday and middle school students will be scheduled on Saturday. Start time on Friday will be 4:30 or 5:00 p.m..  Chairman Chiarito stated that he will get the packets to each school as quickly as possible and that he we will be needing keyboards. We plan to use the full-size clavinova-type keyboards and will be soliciting for their use very soon. We will also need large percussion instruments (timpani, xylophone, marimba, bass drum, etc.) for at least two rooms, but preferably three.  Comments were made that we should attempt to keep the percussion judges in the same building to help with instrumental needs. Randy Nelson also mentioned that we should check with Cindy Berry about the program schedule her district uses because it schedules entries by accompanists. Chairman Chiarito said that he would check into it.

Jazz Performance Assessment is scheduled for March 1-2 at Niceville High School. Chairman Chiarito told everyone to plan to play on Friday and asked Tom Fitzpatrick (Niceville HS) about time restraints. Tom responded that we could begin at 2:30 p.m. and possibly as early as 1:00 p.m.. There were 15 jazz bands that participated last year. A hand count revealed that we could expect at least 18 bands this year. Chairman Chiarito will attempt to schedule as many bands on Friday, March 1 as possible. Two judges (Steve Sims & John Bradley) have been secured and a third judge is being sought after. Programs will not be used. Chairman Chiarito will call Bob Grace (Vestige) about recording the performances.

High School Concert Performance Assessment is scheduled for March 15-16 at Ft. Walton Beach High School. Chairman Chiarito asked Scott LaBorde (Ft. Walton Beach H.S.) about starting times for Friday, March 15. Scott said that the first band could start warm-up as early as 2:30 p.m. and perform at 3:00 p.m.. Bands will be scheduled by the size of band within each class and anyone with special requests should contact Chairman Chiarito. Playground Music (Ft. Walton) will be asked to provide the programs for the festival. Recordings will be made by Bob Grace (Vestige) and should costs approx. $35 per performing group. One judge (Steve Sims) has been secured and two judges are being sought after.

Middle School Concert Performance Assessment is scheduled for March 21-22. Performances will begin at Bailey M.S. (Pensacola) on Thursday, March 21 (earliest time – 3:00 p.m.) and finish in that location on Friday morning (latest time – 10:00 a.m.). The judges will then be transported to Ft. Walton Beach H.S. to continue the performance assessments. Earliest start time at Ft. Walton Beach H.S. will be 2:30 p.m.. Bands will be scheduled by the size of band within each class and anyone with special requests should contact Chairman Chiarito. William Shaner (Sims MS) will contact Schmidt’s Music or Dollarhide’s Music about providing programs for the festival. Recordings will be made by Bob Grace (Vestige) and should cost approximately $35 per performing group. One judge (Steve Sims) has been secured and two judges are being sought after. Tom Fitzpatrick made positive comments about the bands that Steve Sims has directed.

Chairman Chiarito informed high school directors to call Duane Hendon if they haven’t received the entry bulletin for State Performance Assessment by early March. Dates and locations have been set. They are as follows:

Chairman Chiarito asked for nominations for District Chairman. Gray Weaver was nominated by Jim Knight/Wayne Whitman.  Tom Fitzpatrick nominated Eddie Steadman who declined the nomination. Wayne Whitman made a motion to close the floor for further nominations, Jim Knight seconded, and motion passed. Chairman Chiarito entertained a motion to accept Gray Weaver as incoming district chairman by proclamation. Motion passed.

Chairman Chiarito asked for nominations for District Secretary. Eddie Steadman was nominated by Tom Fitzpatrick/Wayne Whitman. Wayne Whitman made a motion to close the floor for further nomination, Tim Willis seconded, and motion passed.

Chairman Chiarito entertained a motion to accept Eddie Steadman as incoming district secretary by proclamation. Motion passed.

Proposal was made by Jim Knight regarding the selection of nominees for FBA President. After much discussion, the proposal was withdrawn. Chairman Chiarito appointed a committee to research and develop a proposal to present to the Executive Board in regards to the concerns voiced. This committee consists of Jim Knight, Randy Nelson, Glenda Jones, Eddie Steadman, and Tim Willis. This committee will meet and report at the next district meeting.

Don Snowden announced a trombone studio recital is scheduled on May 30. 

Jim Knight announced that the Santa Rosa All-County Honor Bands Concert is scheduled on Friday, January 25 at Milton HS Auditorium. Guest clinicians are Sirmon Lee (middle school band) and Col. Bryan Shelburne (high school band).

Joe Hooten announced that Mr. John Henley (retired – Gulf Breeze HS) had a stroke and was paralyzed on his left side. He is currently in Baptist Hospital in Pensacola (Room #491). Joe Hooten encouraged people to call and visit him to help lift his spirits.

Jody Dunn gave an update on David Cadle (Crestview HS). David had visited his doctor for cold symptoms back before Christmas and the doctor rushed him to the hospital where they performed double by-pass heart surgery. David is recovering well and returned to work on Jan. 16. He said that David appreciated the calls, visits, and prayers that he had received from members.

Respectfully Submitted,