Research informs us that the two biggest dropout periods for instrumental music students occur when middle schoolers transition to high school and when beginners transition to year two. Programs can lose as many as 60% of their beginners. Program-building thus starts with retaining our youngest music-makers which is why we must focus on keeping them engaged and enthused once they have begun on day one. By concentrating on strategies that promote SUCCESS, provide MODELING, allow for memorable ACTIVITIES, encourage REFLECTION, and ensure TRUST, students will return year after year for another helping of exciting music-making experiences. An array of innovative activities that engage administrators, parents, and even the students themselves will be shared with examples from directors who use these strategies successfully. Attendees will come away with easy-to-replicate ideas that can be used to build a foundation that will lead to increased retention resulting in exponential growth of the instrumental music program.
Target Audience
Middle and High School Band and Orchestra Directors
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Marcia Neel
Music Achievement Council, NAMM
A veteran of 37 years in music education, Marcia has directed successful music programs in Connecticut, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Nevada. For 14 years, she served as Coordinator of Secondary Fine Arts for the Clark County School District headquartered in Las Vegas. Neel now serves as president of Music Education Consultants, Inc., a consortium of music education professionals which works to foster the growth and breadth of standards-based, articulated music education programs. In 2016, Neel was named Senior Director of Education for Yamaha Corporation and subsequently, a Yamaha Master Educator. In addition to serving as MENC (NAfME) Western Division President, Marcia also held leadership positions with ACDA. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Percussive Arts Society and serves as Education Advisor to the non-profit Music Achievement Council whose sole focus is to assist directors in recruiting and retaining students in instrumental music programs through effective professional development.