Visibility
From a violin quartet performing during the school morning announcements and a jazz band performance at the local supermarket’s grand opening, the more your students are out in the school/community performing, the stronger your program will be. When the school and community frequently hear student musicians around them, they will fight for the program if it is on the chopping block. Visibility is the key to a secure music program. Here are some tips on bringing your program into the public eye.
Visibility = Validity
Recommendations for Community Performances
- School Board Meetings
- Local Train Station (when commuters come and go from work)
- Local Shopping Area
- Parades
- Festivals (MENC State Affiliate Festivals)
- Sporting events
- Honor Society: http://www.menc.org/resources/view/tri-m-music-honor-society
Creativity
- Letter writing campaigns
Music Program Web Presence
- Have students involved in the creation and management of the website
- YouTube viral marketing video to support your cause with parental/school consent
- Email blasts
- Quarterly newsletters
Teacher to Teacher Include a research page in your school concert program that highlights research on the benefits of music education. When the parents read that students who study music attend college at a rate twice the national average, they will surely support the music program!