Why was the Barbers Hill HS Band removed from the TMEA State Honor Band process?
Here’s the story — and it wasn’t because a director cheated or acted unethically. It was because the district supported a choir student.
Yes, really. Read on.
🚨 TMEA Hands Down “Death Penalty” — But for What, Exactly?
A well-respected 5A school district had a choir selected to perform as a featured ensemble at the TMEA Convention — an incredible honor.
Just before the performance, one of their lead students made the All-State Choir. The conflict? The showcase was scheduled at the exact same time as All-State rehearsal — by TMEA.
The choir director requested a simple, 30-minute release so the student could perform with their school ensemble — the group they had rehearsed with for months — and return to rehearsal.
And here’s the kicker:
✅ The district was expected to spend over $20,000 on travel, lodging, meals, and logistics for this event.
✅ Students were excused from core classes just weeks before state testing.
❌ Yet TMEA refused to accommodate a 30-minute performance in the same building.
✅ The district administration stepped in and approved the request.
✅ The student fulfilled both obligations - was gone for less than 30 minutes total.
❌ TMEA responded with punishment, not flexibility.
Now, the fallout:
🔻 The Fine Arts Director (also the head band director) is permanently banned from holding any office in TMEA
🔻 Placed on multi-year probation, barred from presenting clinics
🔻 Every ensemble in the district — band, choir, elementary, and middle school — is banned from performing at TMEA for two years
🔻 The high school band was removed from the State Honor Band process, despite having no involvement in the original decision
💥 The precedent being set:
If a single director makes a decision — and any administrator supports them — TMEA will punish the entire district.
All programs.
All teachers.
All students.
So we ask:
📣 How is this right for kids?
📣 How does this reflect TMEA’s mission to promote excellence in music education?
📣 Why are uninvolved students being penalized?
📣 Why are strong, student-centered leaders being silenced?
This was not reckless.
This was responsible, student-first leadership — the kind we should be celebrating, not condemning.
🔥 It’s time to act.
🗳 It’s time to demand change.
📩 Contact TMEA leadership. Speak up. Ask questions. Be heard.
This decision doesn’t just impact one district — it sets a standard that affects us all.
If you believe in fairness...
If you believe in student opportunity...
If you believe in professional integrity...
Now is the time to speak.
The TMEA Executive Board has met multiple times and still believes this decision is best for students.
Do you?
Updated letter sent to TMEA
