The Passing of the Gavel

gavel switch
Former band president Marsha Hope passes the gavel on to the band’s new president, Tom Evans, during the band’s annual meeting in late January 2016.

[February 1, 2015]  The start of McKinney Community Band also has new leadership serving of its board. President of four years, Marsha Hope, turned over the gavel to new president (and previous board vice president) Tom Evans following his election to the position during the band’s annual business meeting at the end of January 2016. Also terming out at Concert Manager is Beth Shumate, handing over those duties to Judy Kysley. Because Evans vacated the vice president chair for his new office, the board appointed Hope to the last year of Evans’ term as vice president.

The other officer positions – Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President – will be up for re-election during the band’s next annual meeting in January 2017.

MCB’s Founding Music Director Becomes Director Emeritus
Director Emeritus Bill Sleeper & MBC President Marsha Hope
Director Emeritus Bill Sleeper & MBC President Marsha Hope

On Jan. 15, 2015, the McKinney Community Band celebrated the elevation of our maestro Bill Sleeper to the position of Director Emeritus. Bill, our founding music director, has been at the helm of and on the podium for our band for 8-1/2 years ago, and tonight, Bill turned over the music director responsibilities to David Allred who has been the band’s assistant director for the past few months. Congratulations, Bill, and thanks for the memories. (Bill will still be an active member of the band, as he will conduct a piece from time to time as well as helping out in the percussion section.

Just because he’s retiring as our director doesn’t mean we’re letting him go completely!) We’re just ushering in a new era for the band to continue growing, improving and having fun under new leadership.