Tips For Ensuring A Seamless Music Education Experience, Curated from the Music Achievement Council and the NAMM Foundation –
Students continue to participate in our music education programs because they cannot imagine
school without the meaningful engagement that our courses provide. Yet, for one reason or another, not all
of our students continue their participation throughout their high school years. In fact, it’s the transition from
middle school to high school that has been identified as being the most crucial period in retaining our students.
The key to successful retention is ACTION. On the next pages are a number of strategies that successful
instrumental music educators and their constituents use to ensure a seamless transition from the first day
that the student picks up their instrument through high school graduation—and beyond.
Music supervisors represent and facilitate all aspects of the district-wide music program. In this capacity, the supervisor plays a critical role by serving as the link between and among all constituencies and decision-makers. Effective recruitment and retention is of paramount importance, and visionary leaders can assist directors in this process by aligning efforts and resources to ensure that all entities are working together to achieve the highest possible rate of continued participation.