Consider yourself lucky if you walk into a new job as a director and find adequate equipment in good shape. You were chosen to direct the music education program in this school. Most superintendents and school boards do not know the importance of balanced instrumentation. It is up to you to draw up a clear, simple picture of the organization you want to build for your students, and the approximate cost. School boards are composed of people who want programs built and organized on a sound foundation.
See some example forms for inventory records, typical instrumentations for bands of various sizes, estimated annual budgets for band programs, and more in this tip sheet, The Business Side of Teaching School Music: Preparing an Instrument Replacement Plan.
Republished with permission of the Music Achievement Council. For more tips on keeping music strong in your schools, visit the site devoted to all things music advocacy: www.supportmusic.com.
Aaron Hansen is an experienced K-6 General Music educator, passionate about bringing music to life through the Orff Approach. He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Aaron has completed comprehensive Orff Teacher Training, including three levels at the University of St. Thomas and an Orff Master Class. His dedication to the Orff method took him to the Summer International Course at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. Aaron also shares his expertise by teaching movement at various Orff Teacher Training Courses and conducting workshops for local Orff Chapters.
