September 2010
Volume 76, Number 1

Andrew Hunter, Chairman

As I sit to write this article, many of you are busily preparing for the upcoming academic year. Some of you are fortunate enough to be enjoying the combination of triple digit temperatures and humidity at band camps all across the state! However, by the time this magazine reaches your desk, we will all be furiously working to provide our students with musical experiences and memories that will last for a lifetime. What a privilege we have!

The state of Louisiana is blessed to have many high-quality colleges and universities all across the state. In fact, I would venture to say that many of you are within an hour’s drive of one of our institutions of higher learning. As you search for new and innovative ways to reach your students, I suggest that you consider utilizing the vast resources that our college and university music departments can provide. Within our respective Departments/Schools of Music, there are college students looking for teaching opportunities in local schools. This can be an excellent way for your students to receive private or small group instruction at a very reasonable cost and provide university students with additional income to offset costs of tuition, housing, and pizza. Everyone is certainly aware of the difference that getting your students involved in private lessons can make to your music program as a whole. You as a school music teacher can also benefit from the concerts, clinics, and other events that your local university provides – often free of charge.

So, as you seek that “extra something” to take your music program to the next level, get in contact with your local college or university and begin a partnership that will yield dividends for you both for years to come.