Change In Leadership At Forte

| |

The Board of Directors of Overture Youth Advocacy through the Arts (OYAA!) has accepted the resignation of Executive Director and Founder Chris Green. Mr. Green was the founding Corps Director in Forte’s first season and was named Executive Director prior to its second season. Forte placed in DCI’s Open Class Finals each of its first two seasons and its on-the -field success was recognized as a result of Mr. Green’s artistic vision and collaborative efforts with the creative and teaching staff members each year, many of whom were hand-picked by him.

Mr. Green, also Director of Bands at Dallas’ W.H. Adamson High School, has seen phenomenal growth in his school’s band program and will dedicate extra time to overseeing the continued improvement in the Dallas school’s programs. Mr. Green is also an active adjudicator with U.S. Scholastic Band Association (USSBA).

Mr. Green’s drum corps experience includes admin or teaching staff positions with Forte, Memphis Sound, Frontier (Sr) and others. He is a former marching member of Carolina Crown and other junior corps as well.

The Board of Directors wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to Mr. Green for his efforts during the organization’s formative two years and wishes him the best successes possible in his professional and personal pursuits.

President of the Board and CEO David Smith will be assuming the responsibilities of Corps Director effective immediately, having served as Vice Chairman in OYAA’s first year and being promoted to President of the Board in the organization’s second season. The Board of Directors under his leadership has eliminated its two-Board system in favor of one Board and has rolled out a Committee structure which has accomplished greater participation and empowerment of its membership.

Mr. Smith is a veteran of SkyRyders D&BC (1992) and Phantom Regiment D&BC (1994) and performed for several years with the Dallas-based Metropolitan Winds as trombone section leader (1998-2002). He holds an MBA in Finance (2004) and a Bachelor of Music Education (1997), both from the University of North Texas, and holds Lifetime All-Levels Music Educator certification in Texas.

Announcements of senior administrative staff and caption head selection, audition information for the 2012 season and other exciting new partnerships will be announced in coming days and weeks. Please visit www.fortecorps.org for further details.

Posted by on Thursday, September 8th, 2011. Filed under Current News, DCI Open, FrontPage Feature.