Director of Bands Bobby R. Francis was introduced as the 86th president of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA).
Director of Bands Bobby R. Francis was introduced as the 86th president of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association (ABA). The organization was founded in 1929 to recognize outstanding achievement and excellence of concert band conductors and composers around the United States and Canada.
Bobby Francis receives the 90-year-old gavel. Photo credit: Bobby Francis
“The 90-year-old gavel has been handed from the ABA founder, Edwin Frank Goldman, to the likes of Henry Fillmore, John Phillip Sousa, John R. Bourgeois, William D. Revelli, and most recently, former commander and conductor of the ‘President’s Own’ Marine Band – Col. Michael Colburn,” said Francis.
At the 89th annual ABA convention, internationally acclaimed composer Kevin Day ’00 was recognized alongside Jim Stephenson, who received a commission from TCU to compose his fifth symphony. Stephenson is one of the most sought-after composers for concert band ensembles, orchestra and chamber music in the country.
Additionally, alumna MacKenzie Austin performed with the Joint Armed Forces Band during the finale concert, which featured top performers from the premier military bands in Washington D.C. along with special guest performers from the Japanese Ground Defense Force Band.
Watch the final concert of the annual convention. The long-standing tradition is for the current president to conduct the opening of the concert and the incoming president to conduct the concert finale.
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