Rural Music Teaching: Actionable Tips You Can Use Immediately

[Directors Corner]

Mar 10

Build strong programs, connect with your community, and maximize student impact.

List all your responsibilities (ensembles, solos, jazz, marching, events).
Prioritize 1–3 tasks this week that will make the biggest impact.
Keep a visual “program board” in your room: track which ensembles, events, and tasks are in progress.
Write down one long-term goal for each ensemble and share it with your students this week.

Arrange music for smaller ensembles.
Make a list of 5 local musicians or alumni you could invite for a coaching session this summer.
Partner with local organizations for performance opportunities.
Reach out to as many people in your community as you can and ask for sectional coaches, even just an adult in the room can help!
Borrow instruments or equipment from neighboring schools or community centers for students who need them.

Find and list every Honor band, festivals, competitions, and IHSA events you can attend.
Community performances: parades, fairs, and local celebrations.
Pick one new genre and schedule a 15-minute listening or performance activity for your next rehearsal.
Introduce students to music they might not see otherwise.(Latin,Jazz, Rap, Country)
Draft a yearly calendar of student opportunities. Include one external event for the next month.

Connect with students individually: know their goals and interests.
Engage parents and staff with regular updates.
Recognize every student's achievement publicly.
Reach out to one student and one parent with a positive note this week.
Create a quick “interest survey” for students: favorite music, hobbies, aspirations.
Celebrate birthdays or achievements with a short public acknowledgment.
Send a personalized “You’re doing great” message to a student you haven’t connected with recently.

Protect your energy: pick one weekly routine (exercise, hobby, prayer, reflection).
Keep your workspace organized; small details impact culture.
Don’t neglect meals and sleep.
Batch prep lessons or materials during free blocks to reduce weekday stress.
Pick one micro-break activity (5–10 minutes) during the day: stretch, step outside, or meditate.
Schedule one 30-minute self-care activity this week and mark it on your calendar.

Celebrate your program publicly via social media.
Invite alumni, parents, and local businesses to events.
Post one student performance photo/video on social media with a short caption celebrating their effort.
Ask a local business if students can perform at a grand opening or community event.
Be visible outside school: community boards, local performances, parades.
Feature a “Student Spotlight” on social media weekly—parents and alumni love this.
Identify three people in your community to connect with this semester.

Keep fundraisers simple: quality over quantity.
Ask boldly—parents and businesses want to support students.
Offer small sponsorships to local businesses in exchange for recognition (e.g., program ads, banners).
Leverage your district or booster support. You don’t know the answer until they say NO
Make a list of 5 potential donors and draft personalized messages for each.
Draft a short, 3-sentence funding request email for one need (e.g., reeds, sheet music, uniforms).

Track every student improvement, every ensemble achievement, and share with EVERYONE in the community.

Contest Wins, Solo and Ensemble Wins, New Piece Learned, New Scales learned. CELEBRATE EVERYTHING

Take short rehearsal videos to show improvement over time.
Create a simple recognition board in the classroom to highlight weekly achievements.
Start a “Student Wins” notebook or digital file; write down one success today.

You get to teach multiple ensembles, see students grow over the years, and shape a program from the ground up.
Use your smaller class sizes to try innovative teaching methods that larger schools can’t.
Small schools = direct impact: your teaching matters visibly.
Invite students to lead small ensemble rehearsals to build leadership and ownership.
Identify one aspect of your program you can improve immediately that will positively affect students next week.
Pick one student to mentor a younger musician this week and guide them in rehearsal.

Quick Daily Checklist for Rural Music Teachers:

Wesley Anderson

The Order of Operation of Conducting a Rehersal