FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AT DENVER, COLORADO, IMPERIAL SESSION

 2011 SBANA PRESIDENT'S REPORT OF PROCEDINGS

The 2011 Imperial Session was held in Denver, Colorado at the Colorado Convention Center. The SBANA Festival of Music took
place in Exhibition Hall E on Tuesday July 5th from 9:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., and there were three Shrine Temples in attendance: Midian Shrine from Wichita, Kansas, Aladdin Shrine from Columbus, OH, and Ainad Shrine from East St. Louis, MO. Eleven different musical groups performed, in addition to
the II-V-I Band.  The groups performing were a delight to listen to, and it was unfortunate that more people were unable to hear the Festival of Music.

The three adjudicators were: Ted Worth, retired band director from Brighton H.S., Don Shupe, retired band director from Englewood H.S., and Fred Selby,
retired band director from Cherry Creek H. S. and current band director at Denver Christian H.S. The three men have, between them, over 110 years of
working with bands, and all three have adjudicated band contests all across the state of Colorado for the Colorado High School Activities Association.

Eleven different groups performed for the judges and ten of them were awarded the rating of “Superior”, and the Ainad Polka Band received an “Excellent”
rating. The judges were impressed with the performance of all groups; they indicated that it was an enjoyable experience for them to adjudicate.

The Festival of Music managed to keep pretty much to the published schedule, with one glitch during the afternoon
session. Exhibition Hall E and Exhibition Hall F are adjacent to one another. Shortly after the afternoon session began, the
Drum Major of the Ainad Drum & Bugle Corps approached me about a scheduling conflict. His band was to perform several times in Exhibition Hall F
at the same time as the FOM. The doors between the two Halls had been left open. Realizing that we couldn’t compete with one another, we agreed to
alternate groups playing.  I spoke with the FOM bands and asked each of them to only play their adjudicated music. They agreed and the afternoon proceeded,
adding only a half an hour to the day.

The massed bands concert was held on Wednesday July 6th in Lobby F of the Convention Center. Nineteen band members played a
variety of march music for the Nobles and their wives as they entered the Convention Center. In spite of the low turnout, those
assembled played admirably, receiving many comments and compliments from those passing by.

Only two Board members were able to attend this Imperial Session, Gary Billups, 2nd Vice President, and Charles Shaeffer, President. For lack of a
quorum, President Shaeffer cancelled the annual meeting. As Vice President Billups had to leave the convention early, President Shaeffer installed
him as 1st Vice President. Vice President Charles Hunter was informed of his appointment as President for the next Imperial Session. 
Gary Billups asked Steve Coomer, a member of Murat Shrine to organize the 2013 Festival of Music, which will be held in Indianapolis, IN.

This convention took a great deal of preparation. I would like to thank SBANA Treasurer, Bob O’Neill, for his continued support and guidance
during the past three years from his home in Massachusetts. Bob was unable to attend the 2011 Convention in Denver due to his Grand Lodge
commitments. Bob collected the entry registrations and fees, forwarded the competitors information to President Shaeffer, ordered the trophy plaques,
and then sent them  to be presented  during the Festival of Music.

I would also like to thank Norm O’Kelly, president of the El Jebel Band for his help. I could always count on him for advice when
things seemed to bog down. Rick and Linda Frohlick and Ken and Leslie Pearce helped transport the percussion equipment and
Manhasset music stands from the El Jebel band room to the Colorado Convention Center before the convention and back to El Jebel on July 7th.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my wife Thelma and daughter, Shannon for assisting me so many times when so required. I could not have
done any of the work for the 2011 Imperial Session without their help. They both worked with me to move equipment and set up for the Festival of
Music 3 times, as several other groups who removed the chairs and stands without consultation used our stage. They gave physical and moral support
above and beyond the call of duty.

Respectfully submitted
Charles F. Shaeffer,
SBANA, President

Photo Link to Denver Colorado "Festival of Music"
Photos complements of President Shaeffer's Daughter, Shannon

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shannonemilyshaeffer/sets/72157627415734057
                 

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