Texas Bandmasters

Association Convention/Clinic + Student Day

OPPORTUNITY: In 2012, Drum Corps International (DCI) and the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA) scheduled their events back-to-back in San Antonio, Texas. Having worked with both organizations in the past, we collaborated creating a series of sessions that would build a co-sponsored opportunity to help Texas music educators and their students kick start the school year.

RESULTS: Fran presented his Kick Start Your Season with DCI in the Alamodome during the Drum Corps International Southwestern Championship. The next day he kicked off the opening keynote session at the TBA Student Day with Frank Troyka followed by three repeated student leadership sessions. Fran also presented a clinic for educators entitled: “Developing a Student Leadership Program that Works for You” which provided Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit to participating teachers. It was a collaborative win-win-win for everyone involved (students, teachers, and organizations) as well as the 2012 TBA Patron Sponsor Marching Show Concepts.

UPDATE: We co-created this again every year from 2013 to 2023 co-sponsored in part with the Texas Bandmasters Association, Drum Corps International, and Music for All—including virtual Student Day presentations in 2020 and 2021. In 2024, Fred J. Miller Inc. co-sponsored both the TBA Student Day and a director session entitled: “Building Better Communication WITH Students, Parents, and Peers.”

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REVIEWS

“TBA would NOT be TBA without Fran Kick.”

Daniel Allen, Past President

Texas Bandmasters Association

“Your presence at TBA was great this summer and we will stay in touch! We have had many compliments. Your hard work, both in preparation and at the convention, is much appreciated.”

Mike Brashear, Executive Director

Texas Bandmasters Association

“WOW! Fran you’re the best!!! Having you at the TBA Student Day was terrific and I appreciate how you speak with the students, elevating both their expectations and their focus. You never talk down to them. I’m very much indebted to you for your inﬂuence and inspiration.”

Frank Troyka, TBA Student Day Coordinator

Berkner High School Director of Bands (Retired)

“Thanks for sharing your message and expertise with our students and directors in Texas. Your participation in our Student Day and your Director’s Clinic helped make this convention a tremendous success. We consider ourselves fortunate that you were able to share your valuable knowledge and resources with our members. You are our friend and a trusted colleague of TBA. We look forward to building on this meaningful collaboration.”

Alfredo Vélez III, Past President

Texas Bandmasters Association

“I am so blessed to have an association with great people like Fran Kick. The fact that after three decades we have the opportunity to work with each other once again makes me smile. His ability to connect with a convention meeting room full of adults or a stadium of screaming teenagers is unmatched! Fran Kick is a class act all the way around.”

Dan Acheson, Executive Director/CEO

Drum Corps International

“It was great to see students so completely engaged during the session. Fran’s expertise on leadership and personal responsibility and the way he incorporates those topics into interactive activities, creates an immediate response from all who are participating. For students, parents, and band directors alike, Fran’s energy and passion are contagious.”

Susie Ferreira, Group Experience Specialist

Drum Corps International

“Fran Kick has an amazing talent of drawing the very best out of individuals and having them reach for higher levels of success. Easy to work with and extremely professional, Fran knocks it out of the park with enthusiasm and expertise that every program should have the opportunity to experience. Fran is not only great at presenting important life skills; he also is one that ‘walks the talk.’ I would highly recommended Fran for groups that are looking for ways to work better together as well as ﬁnding a higher level of success and purpose in life.”

Randy Gilmore, CEO/President

Marching Show Concepts, Inc.

“I still clearly remember our first meeting in the late 1990s, at Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas during the BOA Express Summer Camp. I was fascinated by how quickly you captivated the kids and how you were able to keep them interested in what you had to say. It all seemed so effortless. I cannot tell you what you have meant to me over the years. Without your input I would have been done teaching a long time ago and I would have missed so many great opportunities to see success for many, many students. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do!”

Hughlen White, Band Director

Santo Forte Junior High School, Texas

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In total, over 19,000 students have attended the TBA Student Day! Each year this one-day event offers concerts, a college fair, breakouts on dozens of topics, composer meet-and-greet opportunities, and even student participation on stage with the featured band! Not even the pandemic could shut down Student Day. In fact in 2020, the first of two years we presented virtually, enrollment spiked the night before to over 3,000 students, causing us to change the online delivery platform within hours of going live to handle the added demand!

“I cannot imagine doing the Texas Bandmasters Student Day without Fran Kick!”

Frank Troyka, Texas Bandmasters Association Student Day Coordinator

In 2023, Fran Kick was presented with the Texas Bandmasters Association Music Industry Award. This prestigious honor is presented by the TBA Board of Directors to someone who has a long history of supporting music education and the Texas Bandmasters Association.

Texas Bandmasters

Association Convention/Clinic + Student Day

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