Teaching the Band You Have to Develop the Program You Want: A Resource-Based Approach to Improvement or Revitalization
Clinic Synopsis:
The session’s focus is to help directors identify and evaluate the resources inherent to their band programs. Suggestions will be presented that illustrate the use of the information obtained to inform planning and strategies in order to systematically develop and advance the band program. The culminating activity is to model how to create and implement an improvement plan that is both obtainable and measurable while maximizing and developing resources to further enhance their programs.
John Hillsman
- Biographical Information
John Hillsman is from Tifton, GA where he graduated from Tift County High School. He attended Troy (State) University where he severed as drum major of the Sound of the South Marching Band in 1983 and 1984. He holds B.S., M.S., and Ed.S. degrees in Music Education from the institution. He was the drum major and a member of the instructional staff of the McDonald’s All-American Band from 1984-1987.
Mr. Hillsman is currently in his thirty-ninth year as a band director. He taught at Hawkinsville High School, Westover High School, Washington County High School, Jeff Davis High School in Georgia. He is currently the band director at Beauregard High School in Opelika, AL. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina. In Georgia, he served numerous terms as the District Band Chair and District Chair for the Georgia Music Educators Association in multiple districts. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic.
He was selected the S.T.A.R. teacher at Hawkinsville High School and Washington County High School. He was recently named as the Beauregard High School and Lee County Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year.
He holds memberships in NAfME, Alabama Bandmasters Association, NBA, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Mu, and the Professional Photographers of America.
He lives in Auburn, AL with his wife Marcia. He has two children Ryan Clanton (Heather) and Hailey Hillsman (Derik Khulman). He is grandfather to Rhett, John Troy, and Jiles Clanton and Knox Khulman.
Regina Raney - Biographical Information
Regina Yates Raney completed her 35th year in public education and her 23rd year as the band director at Austin Middle/Junior High School in Decatur, AL. Mrs. Raney earned her Bachelors of Music Education, BS in Math Education, and Master of Arts in Education from the University of North Alabama. She earned her EdS from the University of Montevallo. Mrs. Raney earned her National Board Certification in 2005. It was renewed in 2015. She regularly conducts honor bands throughout the southeast. She was the ABA District 1 Chairman. She holds memberships in NAfME, AMEA, NBA, ASBDA, Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Mu Epsilon, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Beta Mu
Harry McAfee - Biographical Information
Mr. McAfee spent 11 years building an exceptional program at Bottenfield Jr. High. He also had the experience of rebuilding the Shades Valley Band from 29 students to over 230 before moving to the award-winning Hoover High School. Mr. McAfee developed successful programs through effective means of recruiting, retention, planning, and teaching. He continues to teach privately and to mentor young teachers in the Birmingham area. He embraces opportunities to share his experience and expertise with young teachers struggling to develop their programs. Mr. McAfee was recently inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
Gena Nix - Biographical Information
Gena Inglis Nix is graduate of Jacksonville State University. She was a member of the Leadership Staff in the Marching Southerners as serving as Drum Major from 1997-1999. Gena is currently in her 24th year as band director. She is in her fourth year as band director at Ohatchee High School. Previous teaching experience includes J.B. Pennington High School, Northwest Whitfield Middle School, and Gaston High School. Gena is an active member of NAfME, AMEA, and Sigma Alpha Iota. In 2022, and the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Gena served ABA District 2 as chairman and vice-chairman 2019-2022.
Heather Palmer - Biographical Information
Heather Palmer is in her 21st year as a music educator in the state of Alabama. She has been the associate director of bands at Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham Alabama since 2004. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Samford University. Throughout her career, her bands have consistently earned superior ratings at Music Performance Assessment and other band festivals. Mrs. Palmer has been a marching band adjudicator, guest clinician, and guest conductor. She is a member of the National Association of Music Educators, AMEA, ABA, and the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.
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