featured submission
Sustaining Music in Athens Patty Riske, Instrumental Music Instructor
Editor’s Note: We asked music teachers throughout the state to share what they are doing for sustainability. See the full collection of submissions at wsmamusic. org/sustainability.
Our community of Athens has a popula- tion of approximately 1,000 and is located in Northwestern rural Marathon County. Presently our high school has an enroll- ment of 203 students with 78 who have chosen to be in band.
Many times in small schools we are shar- ing students with athletics, forensics, yearbook, clubs, etc. Instead of competing against these other programs, which are also important for our students’ develop- ment, I believe in “supporting” each other. Many times I talk with coaches about
which pep band dates are important so we can show support for what they are doing even though we can’t play for all their events. I spend time talking with other advisors and encourage my students to participate in a variety of activities. In addition, I ask students how they are doing in their activities.
As educators if we chose to use the “attack mode” and use put downs toward another program, we tend to divide our students. The students feel forced to have to pick and chose what is better for them, which might not be the music program. This doesn’t assist with sustainability.
To sustain my band program, I encourage cooperation so all programs are strong. This makes our school stronger when
students are allowed a variety of experi- ences. With school choice options, we want our small school to be more appeal- ing to new students as well as our present students. Through the various activities, students have the chance to discover their strengths and weakness, which allows them to reach their fullest potential.
As a band teacher, I follow the normal “PR” that most other music departments use. The local newspaper and district newsletter have articles or pictures of our students’ participation in events. More importantly, I show support of my students so that “word of mouth” becomes the best “PR” for the band program. This tends to advertise our strengths, which allows for sustainability. People want to be where the positive energy is!
Be the Grand Champion of Summer at the Wisconsin State Fair
Be a part of the partnership between two Wisconsin traditions!
Wisconsin School Music Association and
Wisconsin State Fair Present the
WSMA World Music Showcase August 8, 2014
State Fair Park • West Allis, Wisconsin For more information, please contact Tim Wurgler:
twurgler@wsmamusic.org 18 April 2014
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