3 Ways It Takes a Community to Develop a Great Music Program

By Anthony Mazzochi
I was honored to speak at this years NAfME National In-Service conference in Nashville. It
was exciting to see thousands of music educators from around our country who were
looking for ways to develop themselves as educators and musicians. At the time of this
great conference, hundreds of thousands of students were learning to play an instrument
for the very first time. But if history is any indicator, more than half of these students will
quit one year from now.
What if administrators and educators truly valued how the arts leverage engagement
and achievement in school?
We can change this course of history.
I believe we have a better chance to do this now than at any other time, in fact. This is
because we finally are hearing the words creativity and innovation creeping into
conversations regarding education from politicians, administrators, and educators. This is
a moment where music education has a chance to enter the limelight as a tool to enhance
our childrens educational experience as long as everyone is on board.
Here are some action-steps stakeholders in our school systems need to take in order to
ensure all students experience music throughout their K-12 education:

Administrators must schedule music appropriately.

What if administrators and educators truly valued how the arts leverage engagement and
achievement in school? Some do, and they are the ones who have model school
schedules that include daily music instruction for all grade levels. To be clear, these
admininstrators and educators are not attempting to turn all of their students into
professional musicians. Instead, they believe that for educational experiences in music to
produce their intended beneficial effects, students need ample time to experience it.
Music education can be a powerful medium through which students come to love
learning.
For the more serious music student, those who do wish to follow their passion should be
given enough dedicated time to pursue it, and to move toward proficiency and even
mastery especially in public school. When it is approached with a seriousness of

purpose and scheduled effectively, music education can be a powerful medium through
which students come to love learning, strive for greatness, and imagine a fulfilling,
purposeful life. Schools can and need to do better to schedule it into every day.

Teachers must be great pedagogues and great communicators.

Its impossible for me (or anyone) to produce a complete and definitive list of the
characteristics of great music teaching. Knowing the qualities of greatness can help
teachers strive for the highest standards and help students, parents, and school systems
celebrate music as a core part of their curricula. Observing a great music teacher at the
top of his or her game is like watching a masterful performance; although infinitely
difficult and painstakingly planned, great teaching appears effortless and seamless.
Highly effective music teachers keep the concepts at the highest level but the
explanations short and incredibly clear, both for their students and the greater school
community. They must consistently communicate the power of music education to
administrators and fellow teachers, and empower parents to help cultivate their childs
talent at home.

Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock

Parents must support their childs music education.

Obviously, this is the main thrust of my book, blog, and speaking. Parents who make a
long-term commitment to music instruction give children the tools to succeed in music,
and therefore in life. It is one of the greatest gifts they can give this year. The more
parents begin to treat music as the core subject it is, the more they will investigate easy
strategies to support their childs practice at home in ways that do not disrupt their life
too much. Perseverance, commitment, loyalty, and grit are all values I hope that I and

my schools instill in my children. Teaching and learning these incredible life skills is
difficult without parents being on board.

What is our goal for education?

I believe that school systems must do everything in their power to create conditions in
which students want to and are able to learn. Parents need to continue to advocate for
music to be included in school curricula, and teachers must fuel parents with knowledge
in order for them to effectively advocate for their programs and help grow a new
generation of musician, music lover, and future innovator.
It was wonderful to share my thoughts on music education with the greater NAfME
community. As long as we continue these talks and take action at home, we can build a
music community in our schools that transforms our system into the creative
learning center our children deserve.
You can find Grassroots Advocacy Resources for you and your parents here.
About the author:

A GRAMMY nominated music educator, Anthony Mazzocchi has performed as a

trombonist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony, San Diego
Symphony, San Diego Opera, Riverside Symphony, Key West Symphony, in various
Broadway shows and numerous recordings and movie soundtracks.
Tony has served as faculty or as a frequent guest lecturer at The Juilliard School,
Manhattan School of Music, New York University, and Mannes College of Music. He has
taught students from K-college, and has served as a district Director of Fine and
Performing Arts in the South Orange/Maplewood School District. Tony has been a
consultant for arts organizations throughout the NY/NJ area.

Tony blogs about how to be a successful music parent at The Music Parents Guide, and
the book by the same name can be bought here. He has written a method book for music
teachers called Band Directors Method Book Companion.
Tony is currently Associate Director of the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State
University in New Jersey. He is also Executive Director of the Kinhaven Summer Music
School in Weston, Vermont. Tony is a clinician for Courtois Paris.
Brendan McAloon, Marketing and Events Coordinator, November 20, 2015. National
Association for Music Education (NAfME.org).