INTRODUCTION
Dear GMEA Members,
Over the past two months, we have conducted a rigorous search process for our next Executive Director (see timeline & process at the bottom of this message). I want to publicly thank all candidates who applied for this position. We are fortunate to have many leaders willing to serve our Association in this role.
On behalf of the search committee, please join us in welcoming Mr. Alan Fowler as our new Executive Director! Mr. Fowler will begin serving as GMEA Executive Director on July 1, 2022. He is a veteran music educator who has worked tirelessly to support and aid other teachers throughout his career. He has served GMEA in many roles, including Vice-President for All-State, District 4 Chair, District 4 Treasurer, and multiple organizer and host positions. In Mr. Fowler’s own words, “At every turn, I have worked to serve GMEA, my fellow music educators, and the music students of our great state.” We know he will bring this spirit of servant leadership to his new role as Executive Director,
When asked about his long history with GMEA, Mr. Fowler answered, “Since my days as a student in Clayton County, I have understood the need for and appreciated GMEA. The music educators I met and observed, both inside and outside of my own schools, exemplified teamwork, effectiveness, and a camaraderie across musical disciplines that ultimately helped shape my philosophy of education and my career.” During his interview, Mr. Fowler discussed numerous ways to strengthen our existing events and operations while improving access to students and teachers around the state, particularly in underserved communities. He also demonstrated a keen understanding of the GMEA budget and operations, which is essential as we continue to recover from the financial effects of the pandemic.
In accepting the position, Mr. Fowler stated, “I appreciate the Executive Committee seeing in me the qualities and characteristics they believe we need in the next Executive Director. It is with great pride that I take on this new role, and I look forward to working with our staff and membership as we lead GMEA into the future.”
Please see below for Mr. Fowler’s full biography, as well as more details regarding the Executive Director Search Timeline & Process. Once again, please join me in welcoming Mr. Fowler as GMEA’s new Executive Director!
Sincerely,
Dr. Matt Koperniak
President
Georgia Music Educators Association
ABOUT MR. FOWLER
D. Alan Fowler previously served as Director of Bands at Eastside High School in Covington, GA and served as Secondary Fine Arts Specialist for the Newton County School System. Mr. Fowler has long been passionate about all forms of music, deeply committed to serving his community, and is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia. He has since earned degrees from Ball State and Georgia State Universities and is proud to note he never plans to stop learning. He has taught students from elementary through college and, in 2014, was personally selected by the legendary T.K. Adams, Sr. to succeed him as the Music Director of the Newton County Community Band, which Adams founded two decades earlier.
Mr. Fowler has been an active member of GMEA his entire career, having served most recently as Vice-President for All-State. He has long valued serving the students of Georgia and assisting his colleagues in many capacities. In addition to his time as Vice-President, his GMEA responsibilities have included serving as All-State Organizing Chairperson, multiple terms as District 4 Chairperson, Band Chairperson, Treasurer, Honor Band Coordinator and Organizer, and Solo & Ensemble Host and Organizer, and, most recently, District LGPE Organizer. He served as an Advisor to the Georgia DOE Fine Arts Standards Committee, was once the National Band Association State Chairperson, and is currently serving as an NBA mentor teacher. On multiple occasions, he has presented clinics at the GMEA In-service conference, and he continues to support colleagues across the state and region in a variety of ways.
In 1996, Mr. Fowler took the reins of the fledgling Eastside Eagle band program and has led the Eastside Bands now into their third decade. The Pride of Eastside has traveled to and performed in seven states, as well as Canada, with two of the most special performances taking place at Pearl Harbor and in The Hollywood Christmas Parade. The Eastside Bands consistently earn superior ratings at concert and marching events, have a long tradition of students excelling at Solo & Ensemble, and frequently are represented in the GMEA All-State Bands.
At Eastside, Mr. Fowler served as Fine Arts Chairperson and Key Club Sponsor. He has been recognized as “Teacher of the Year,” was once selected by the community to light the Courthouse for the holiday season, was named a “Class Act” Teacher by Atlanta’s WXIA-TV—11 Alive News, and during the 2014-15 school year, Mr. Fowler participated in Leadership Newton County and was honored to have been selected as the graduation speaker. In 2016, Mr. Fowler was elected to membership in the Phi Beta Mu International Band Master Fraternity and he received the NBA Citation of Excellence.
Mr. Fowler has accumulated vast experience working with students and teachers in multiple states and throughout Georgia and is respected throughout the South as a consultant, instructor, and adjudicator. Active as a tuba and low brass artist, Mr. Fowler is a member of Tara Winds and is currently serving on the Tara Winds Board. He is also the co-founder of Porterdale Tuba Christmas. Having performed with orchestras, choirs, and small ensembles throughout his career as a musician, Mr. Fowler proudly continues to learn, grow, and develop. He is a member of GMEA, NAfME, Phi Beta Mu, NBA, PAGE, Phi Mu Alpha, and the Covington Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Fowler and his wife, Susan, live in Covington and are the proud parents of two wonderful daughters, Katie Beth and Grace.