wisconsin advocates for music education Simple Strategies to Advocate for
Music Education in a Small School David Johnson, WAME Committee Member
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I’ve spent my entire teaching career in small schools. My first teaching job was in the quiet rural community of Auburn- dale, Wisconsin. After teaching band in Auburndale, I moved to Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The Williams Bay School District has an even smaller student popu- lation than Auburndale. Williams Bay’s average graduating class size is around 35-40 students. Teaching band in a small school usually means that the band teacher teaches all of the band classes, from the beginning levels through high school. The band teacher in the small school not only has to juggle the responsibilities of build- ing and maintaining an entire program, he or she also needs to serve as the primary advocate for music education.
In a small school, a great deal of pres- sure is placed on students to wear many different hats. In addition to their regular coursework and the responsibilities that go along with them, most of the students involved in music are not only musicians, but they are multi-sport athletes, drama students, members of various clubs, class offices and committees. While these types of multi-tasking students are not unusual in larger school districts, it may be said that there is more pressure on students in small schools for the majority of students to take on more responsibilities so that the personnel needs of each program within the school can be fulfilled.
“…it is wise to consistently communicate the importance of music as a crucial component of a well-rounded education…”
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With so many electives, sports, clubs and activities competing for each student’s attention it is wise to consistently commu- nicate the importance of music as a crucial component of a well-rounded education throughout the year.
Be Visible Within the School and Community Students are the strongest advocates for music education. Performances are an obvious way to showcase student talent to the community. In addition to the regular school concerts, our pep band performs at every conference home varsity football and basketball game. We also participate in two parades during the year includ- ing the community’s annual Memorial Day parade. The band usually leads the parades. We also have a jazz band that performs at various functions and we try to arrange at least one or two performances within the community’s elderly care facili- ties and/or area businesses each year. Our choir director also encourages her students to perform around the community on a regular basis. This year, she took a group of students caroling during the holiday season to local businesses at the request of the local business association. Several of her students also participate in area com- munity choirs. The band and choir also provides the music for the commencement ceremony.
On occasion, our students will also per- form at a regular school board meeting. Our district administrator has built time into the opening of every school board meeting to showcase student achieve- ments throughout the district. Even if there isn’t time for a performance at the meeting, there is always room to throw in a few sentences congratulating a student for a musical achievement or to read off the solo and ensemble participants and their results.
“Performances are an obvious way to showcase student talent to the community.”
Another way to reach a broader audience within the community beyond the walls of the school is to take advantage of the various media outlets available. The school news bulletin, which is mailed to nearly every home in the community, is a quick and easy way to distribute your message. The local newspaper is also a great place to contact to post information about upcoming performances, solo and ensemble and large group festival results, showcase WSMA High School State Honors Project students and honor band festival participants.
Each spring, the music department also hosts its annual music awards ceremony and potluck dinner where each student is recognized for their contributions to their school music program during the year.
Communicate Often With Students, Parents and Administrators I’ve found that the easiest and most ef- ficient means of communicating with large numbers of people quickly is email. Creating an email address list of all of your students and their parents so that you can send mass emails to them at a moment’s notice saves a great deal of time and paper. I recommend going completely paperless and using email or some other type of electronic messaging to send information home to parents. Make sure your adminis- trators are also included in the list so they
April 2012
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