feature


A lesson from the world of fund devel- opment: people want to give – they just need to be asked. A few paragraphs prior, I mentioned taking note of influencers who attend your events. In this vein it’s important to expand upon this topic and note that you should ask influencers to join you – particularly district administra- tors. When l was executive director for newVoices we would write letters to state legislators annually (partially for grant requirements), and then personally invite elected local leaders to our concerts. It was gratifying when they came, and especially validating when we learned that they were advocating for the arts whenever a bill came up in Madison that would impact funding. Likewise, the difference that a principal, superintendent or non-music teacher in the audience will make to how your students feel about themselves is astonishing. Students feel validated after hearing their assistant principal give some opening remarks before a show and then talking to their math teacher about the concert the next day. Now you’ve got visible administrative support (which is the start for more financial support) which leads to your students feeling better about their co-curricular music activities that then in turn makes their parents and other community members more impressed and engaged. Once you start fueling the fire it’s hard to put out, and it all started because you purposefully invited your administra- tors to be attentive and participate in your performance.


Takeaways


• Build your base. If your students aren’t loving your program first, then nobody else will (or should).


• Prioritize tasks – divide & conquer.


• Invite your administrators – don’t ever stop.


Digital Media – Don’t Be Afraid of It


When was the last time you sent home a paper newsletter or volunteer form with your students for their parents? If you answered any time within this current


Wisconsin School Musician


The college’s Music Theatre program will stage three shows: “Return to the Forbidden Planet” in June, “Mary Poppins” in July and “Jekyll & Hyde” in August. Tickets: snc.edu/tickets


www.snc.edu • St. Norbert College, 100 Grant Street, De Pere, WI 54115-2099 17


academic year, then it’s time to reevalu- ate your distribution methods. Printing budgets are always on the chopping block (especially for music departments), and students aren’t always the most reliable when it comes to remembering to give their parents things.


Odds are by now your district has un- dergone a transformation in technology.


There are 1:1 initiatives all over the state, ensuring that every student (particularly in high school) has their own computer, and it’s likely that these computers are Chromebooks. With Chromebooks comes Google Drive and all the wonders of shared documents and forms. Remember that paper volunteer form you used to


Continued on page 18


Music Is Everywhere! Summers at St. Norbert College


Band Camp An opportunity for young


instrumentalists in grades 5 through 9 to learn, practice and perform under the direction of the St. Norbert College music faculty. Students of all ability levels are invited to join in this fun and educational music-enrichment program.


June 11-15 9 a.m.-noon daily Concert on June 15 at 7:30 p.m.


Camp registration is now open! www.snc.edu/music/camps


Next Stage


A five-week summer program providing college-level training and musical theatre-production experience. High school singers, actors, instrumentalists and crew members work, collaborate and challenge themselves in an intensive educational environment.


This year, Next Stage presents: Jekyll & Hyde


Auditions: May 19-23 Performances: Aug. 8-12 Open to all high school students


Next Stage registration is now open! www.snc.edu/nextstage For more information: teresa.schmidt18@gmail.com


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