CAE UPDATE: EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
In its founding year of 2020, Cadets Arts & Entertainment has developed strong pillars to provide necessary guidance and support for the organization. One of these strategic entities is The Cadets Educational Advisory Council, a think tank made up of top college and high school band directors from across the country.
The council meets twice monthly to discuss current topics, determine best practices, and plan for what might come next for scholastic music programs and the pageantry arts.
“Our ultimate goal is to help music programs reach the next level of what our pageantry arts world can be,” said Advisory Coordinator Eric Sabach, a Cadets 1981-84 Alumnus and current CAE Board member. “We will have guest presenters on many topics to evoke conversation. Recently, our discussions have centered around how to serve our communities and spread the joy of music during the ongoing pandemic.”
Members of the Educational Advisory Council are current and retired collegiate band directors at Louisiana State University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, Furman University, Towson State University, Eastern Kentucky University and West Chester University, among others. Other participants are high school band directors from programs from across the country, including a few Bands of America Grand National and Regional Champions, Finalists, and Hall of Fame members. The third portion of the advisory’s membership consists of people from across the performing arts industry, from manufacturers to non-profits, to add reach and breadth of conversation.
“The main driving force for these twice monthly meetings is to benefit the directors involved, while Cadets Arts & Entertainment Executive Director Denise Bonfiglio listens in and gleans information that could help our organization as well” Eric continued. “First, we want to provide an opportunity to learn and grow amongst friends and colleagues during these challenging times. There are plenty of great stories shared here! And there is no ask from The Cadets during these meetings, just an open discussion and opportunities to share ideas.”
Membership in The Cadets Educational Advisory Council will be fluid and is currently at 13 participants with an intention to grow to a maximum of 18. If you are a high school or college band director and would like to participate, please email a brief summary of your work to Eric Sabach at esabach@cadets.org for consideration.
