Phi Beta Mu
XI Chapter
Minutes -January 2009
The Illinois Chapter of Phi Beta Mu met for its annual meeting on Friday, January 30, 2009. The meeting was held at the Packard Plaza Hotel in Peoria in conjunction with the Illinois Music Educators Association Conference.
President David Vroman called the meeting to order at 11:35a.m.
Vroman led the membership in the Phi Beta Mu Installation and Oath. The following
new members were presented with their Phi Beta Mu pins and welcomed by the
membership:
Tom Birkner, James Hile, Jesica Woody, Steve Orland, Matt Temple, Terry Redford and
John Heath.
Business Meeting:
The minutes from the 2008 February meeting were read and approved.
Executive Secretary's Report - Charles Groeling
The Chapter Roster Report and the Annual Financial Report were distributed to those in
attendance and were both accepted by a vote of the members present.
Outstanding Bandmaster's Award Report - Edward Winkler Edward Winkler stated that no new nominations had been made this year, but that 3 names carried over from the previous year. He encouraged the membership to nominate directors for this award.
Hall of Fame Report - Dave Fodor
Dave Fodor reported that he updated the Hall of Fame photos in the display at
Northwestern University.
Mentoring Committee Report - Richard Alderman
Richard Alderman commended David Vroman for the article on mentoring in the Winter 2008 issue of the IL Music Educator. He stated that he received a letter from Charles Groeling suggesting a possible plan for the mentoring committee as well as information from Stephanie Kirk on the Iowa Statewide Mentoring program. It was also noted that the MENC Forum link is on the new Phi Beta Mu website. Alderman resigned as committee chair hoping that new blood would help lead the committee with a new plan that the membership could discuss later in the meeting.
Web Page Report - John Springbrunn
John Springbrunn showed the membership the new website, explaining that the old site was not working out well. The new site cost is $49.18 per year. The new site includes many helpful links including MENC, Phi Beta Mu National, and the very useful Wind Repertory Project. Site address is
The membership is encouraged to submit a biography/picture for the roster page. The site also includes a Hall of Fame page, chapter business page, and minutes from Phi Beta
Mu meetings.
Nomination Committee Report - Submitted by Rex Benson; Read by Ann Lusher Rex Benson agreed to chair the committee comprised of John Thompson, Ann Lusher and Keith Schmink. Dr. Vroman sent out a letter to the membership announcing the committee and asking for recommendations prior to November 1st. Receiving no recommendations, the committee chose to contact the current officers and ask if they would be willing to serve a second term. All officers were willing to serve. The nomination committee recommended the following slate of officers for approval. Dr. David Vroman, President John Springbrunn, Vice President Laura Ramseyer, Recording Secretary
Old Business
In organizing, Chapter XI, Dr. Vroman submitted several documents for the membership's review. The membership voted to approve the document explaining "Phi Beta Mu Chapter Organization and Procedures". The membership currently uses the following documents: Bandmasters Hall of Fame Investigative Report Form Outstanding Bandmaster Award Nomination Ballot Sponsor a New Member in Phi Beta Mu!
Charles Groeling submitted rationale for continuing the mentor service of Phi Beta Mu. He suggested that the name mentoring committee be changed to Phi Beta Mu Professional Services Committee and that the mentoring service be expanded to include several new options. The effort would take the form of a bureau that could supply speakers for schools and service clubs, consultants for school boards as well as the now-established mentoring committee. He also included a speaker/mentor questionnaire to be submitted to the membership in the attempt to generate a list of interested speakers.
New Business
The election of officers was held. The slate was approved as follows: David Vroman, President
John Springbrunn, Vice President Laura Ramseyer, Recording Secretary
Stephanie Kirk led the membership in prayer and lunch was served.
Memorials
We remember those lost to us this past year.
In memory of Robert Gray & Robert Jorgensen
Vroman: It is the mission of Phi Beta Mu to seek out those instrumental music educators who have not only made significant contributions to the levels of performance of students
both in our elementary and secondary schools together with colleges and universities, but represent the highest ethical and moral standards possible in both their daily lives and the performance of their work.
To that end, our association offers us contact and interaction with persons of inspiration whose examples serve as a constant reminder of the importance of character and moral compass in our noble profession. As a consequence this admiration and respect draws each of us closer within the mission of the chapter. When one of our number is lost to us through passing the ties that hold us together are weakened by that void. Let us pause in our deliberations and reflect on those of our number who have departed from their earthly labors:
David Fodor: George Caton:
Vroman closed with a prayer.
Presentation of the Outstanding Bandmaster Award — Bernard E. Potter
Bernard E. (Bernie) Potter has been a band director in Illinois for the past 39 years, retiring from public school education in 2004 after directing 3 years in Peoria District 150 with the Peoria Jazz All-Stars and the Roosevelt Fine Arts Magnet School Bands. During 16 years at Morton High School, 5 years at Farmington East, and 9 years at Sciota Northwestern, concert bands under his direction have received numerous 1st Division Ratings at IHSA Contest, have won the Illinois Super-state Contest at the University of Illinois and been selected to perform at the WIU Showcase of Bands. His jazz bands have been trophy winners many times in every major festival in Illinois and were winners of The President's Cup at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia. His marching bands have won many competitions, been finalists at the State of Illinois Competition at ISU, Class Winners at U. of I. and competed regularly in the Bands of America Grand Nationals and the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Virginia. All three high schools were consistently in the top levels of the IHSA Music Sweepstakes Contest.
Mr. Potter was named Fulton County Teacher of the Year in 1984 and a Governor's Master Teacher in 1985. He has been on the State Board of the Illinois Music Educators Association, is a past-president of District 4 I.M.E.A. and served as Band Chairman. He is a founder of the District 4 Jazz Festival and served as Jazz Chairman of District 4 for many years as well as organizing Chairman of the All-State Jazz Bands. His is currently an All-State Winds Auditioner.
Mr. Potter performs as principal tuba with the Prairie Wind Ensemble, plays tuba and euphonium with the River Valley Brass, and trombone with the Maple City Dixieland Jazz Band, and freelances with other ensembles in the Peoria area. He is active as an adjudicator for the I.H.S.A. and I.G. S. M. A. at solo, ensemble, jazz, and concert organization contests and is a member of the Central States Judges Association, judging marching competitions throughout the Midwest. He also writes marching drill and musical arrangements for many school groups in Illinois, including Class Winnersand Overall Winners at ISU and U of I. He has taught Marching Band Techniques, Conducting, and instrumental Methods at Knox College, Illinois Wesleyan University and Bradley. He directed the Knox Galesburg Community Band for many years as well as community bands in Macomb, Farmington, and Morton. He has guest conducted many Illinois high school concert and jazz ensemble festivals, all-district festivals, the Prairie Wind Ensemble, as well as the summer camp concert and jazz bands at Illinois Wesleyan and Western Illinois University. He is currently the Director of the Middle School Band at Christ Lutheran Grade School in Peoria.
Mr. Potter received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Music Education degrees from Western Illinois University and has done advanced work at the University of Northern Colorado, University of Wisconsin, Vandercook College, and Illinois State University. He is a member of the M.E.N.C., I.M.E.A., T.U.B.A., A.F. of M., Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha.
Bernie Potter lives in Avon, II with his wife Milinda. Fishing, hunting, traveling, learning to play guitar, and raising Brittany Spaniels are among his retirement activities.
No Presentation of Hall of Fame Award was made. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Laura Ramseyer