Elements of a Successful Program

Elements that I think are essential to a successful program 1. School Community Desire for the Program - With out the support from the school and community your program would not exist. Support from with in the school shows that teachers or other subjects (math, history, etc) allow their students to miss additional class time for festivals and emergency rehearsals. Support from the community can come with many benefits, varying from financial and physical support. These can be parents who are coming to help out with concerts, in to class to manage uniforms, part of a booster organization for your program. Another large feature of community support is venue availability. Perhaps a pleased parent of one of your students is the pastor at a church or owner of a nice hotel where you can perform your concerts in for free. 2. Qualified and knowledgeable director. -Without a a good teacher students wont learn, no if's, and's, or but's. Teachers give students the materials and tools they need to be successful. When it comes down to education It is ALWAYS more important that the teacher teaches students how to critically think and research for facts, instead of telling facts to students. 3. Instruments and Equipment (and uniforms). -This is also pretty straight forward, if you don't have instruments an instrumental program can be incredibly difficult to cultivate. You can teach notation and basic theory still, but instrumental performance and maintenance will be exceedingly difficult. 4. Music (Quality Repertoire). -Having good music for your students to perform and work off of. Music that is too easy can make students take practicing for granted and associate music as a joke. Music that is too difficult can make students turn off and push away from music feeling like a failure. 5. Advanced Planning and Organization. -Teachers who can plan ahead and have all paperwork and music issues sorted out gain a lot of respect from students. This makes the students less anxious in music as well. When teachers are hosting music festivals a well organized and prepared festival reflects greatly on the school and even your own students will notice if its good or not. 6. Policies and procedures supported by parents, teachers, and administrators. -Having policies that are supported and respected by parents they will have your back for discipline issues that may arise with students. This also ensures "smooth sailing" and being fearless that parents will contact you to complain about your methods. 7. Effort and desire for excellence (Instilled by director). -Manifesting this passion in music to students is key for getting them to practice and think ahead about the reward of playing amazingly. With students having this passion as a driving force in their knowledge is a huge benefit in your program because of the face that the quality will go up. 8. Parent Booster Organization -I think this is a very important thing as well. These will rais money for your ensemble to buy new instruments, music, repairs, festivals fees, tours, and so much more. If you can bring in additional finances your already expensive programe take take some weight off its shoulders. 9. Time With Students -This is also very important for obvious reasons. You need time with students and especially with music time after and before school may be necessary for some students who aren't understanding music. 10. A Clear Path for the Program (I.e. Mission Statement). -Having a focus and direction with a goal that not only you will relate to but your students as well make it more effective and easier for students to want to strive for this.