7 Ways Elementary Music Teachers Can Build High School Programs
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Participation in school music programs changes lives for the better. And, elementary music teachers can be one of the MOST important advocates for middle school and high school music programs. In addition to teaching foundational music skills and a love of music, elementary music teachers can “light a fire” and inspire your students to continue lifetime participation in music.
As elementary teachers, we may not see the lasting impact we have on our students. But, you can and do make a difference. I’ve been fortunate to watch several of my former elementary students become music teachers and performance majors. Performing alongside them in community performances brings me great joy!
What’s in this post? Click to open the Table of Contents
Specific Ways to Be an Advocate
As an elementary music teacher, you’re in a position to be a powerful advocate for your middle school and high school music programs. Below are specific actionable steps you can take to support the entire music program in your school district.
Connect with Middle and High School Directors
Take time to meet your district’s middle and high school ensemble directors. Ask how you can support their programs.
Ask your district to schedule professional development time to allow for vertical planning. Look for gaps between your programs and ways you can support each other.
Invite High School Students Into Your Classroom
Your former elementary students are the perfect guest soloists to inspire your current students. Does your school have a “Cadet Teaching” or “A+ Tutoring” program where high school students spend part of their day in an elementary classroom? Invite a high school musician to volunteer and help out in your classroom.
My last student volunteer became a recorder tutor practicing with students in the hallway. This was beneficial to help students who had fallen behind. Students LOVED working with her and even students who excelled asked to take a turn to play for her.
Attend and Promote Middle School and High School Performances
Publicize middle school and high school performances on your website and include them in your newsletter. Put up fliers in your classroom. Does your high school do a yearly musical? Ask to schedule a field trip to watch the dress rehearsal.
For paid events, do they have a policy that students who hand out programs get free tickets? Advertise that opportunity to your elementary students and their families.
Concerts, community performances, parades, football games, etc. provide many different opportunities for your students to see these middle school and high school programs in action. Occasionally, opportunities may arise to perform alongside your high school groups. Sing the national anthem at a sporting event. This is an easy collaboration and can become a yearly tradition.
Performing with my former students in community and church groups has been among some of my most rewarding musical experiences.
Teach About the Music Programs in Your District
I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard, “I can’t be in the band because I’m going to play football.”
Our son played football and band all 4 years! He didn’t march at football games but some schools allow students to march in their football uniforms. Once I told my students they could do both, they were much more interested and likely to enroll in band classes.
Familiarize yourself and your students with the choir, orchestra, and band programs in your district. Learn the offerings, policies, and sign-up procedures at the middle and high school levels. Show videos of stellar performances. Some of your students may have siblings in these ensembles and will have instant “buy-in.”
Volunteer to Help at “Meet the Instruments” Events
Going to an unfamiliar school can be enough of a hurdle for some students to skip out on music sign-up events/or parent nights. If students know they will see you there, this often eases their apprehension. If parents know that you will be present and can provide some guidance, this can be a comfort to them as well.
Help students ask important questions and clarify the process of enrollment in the program. Often the process of choosing an instrument is of concern to both parents and students.
Help Teach Summer Band, Orchestra, and Choir Programs
Instrumental summer programs often need extra personnel to teach beginning instrumental classes. What better summer job than helping your students get a head start in their middle school music programs!
Do you have a summer enrichment program where students perform a musical? Encourage your students to enroll or audition. Help students prepare for auditions and roles. Volunteer to help if you can.
Teach About Instruments
Many students have no idea what instrument they may want to play. Give them a strong foundation by introducing the instruments of the orchestra and band so they can make informed choices.
Teach the basics about each instrument. Ensure students can identify the instruments by sight and by sound.
Need a no-prep way to teach instrument families of the orchestra and band? This bundle includes interactive PowerPoint presentations with high-quality photos, basic information about each instrument, optional guided notes worksheets, and professional performance video links—everything you need to introduce your students to the orchestra and band!
Bonus: May be used with Google Slides.
💡Activities are perfect for sub lessons!
Some Elementary Music Teachers “Do It All”
I know some music teachers “do it all.” You may be the elementary, middle school, and high school general music, choir, and band teacher. If this is you, be sure to take a peek at this post – Increasing Music Advocacy for Your Elementary Music Program by Involving Others.
There are never enough hours in the day, but when you take time to create positive working relationships with the other music teachers in your district or your area this will pay dividends for you and your students many times over.
Participation in school music programs changes lives . . . . . for the better.
Share this post to help more elementary music teachers find it.
Meet the Author
Terri Lloyd is an experienced music educator with over 25 years of teaching in elementary music classrooms. She holds a Master’s in Education, an Instructional Technology Certificate in Curriculum Design, and a Bachelor of Music. Her resources are designed to help music teachers develop students’ music literacy and performance skills while enjoying learning.
She presents music education workshops, develops curriculum, and writes for her blog. She is on the music staff at her church and leads a children’s program. She performs as a active community musician with a local Big Band, pit orchestras, and at various events.
2 Comments
Comments are closed.