Created Arts Organization
Created Arts Organization
Julie Vander Woude
St. Mary's University, Twin Cities
Foundations of Arts Administration
September, 18, 2002
West Des Moines needs private music teachers. Students in school music programs want to study privately; home schooling parents want to provide their kids with a solid musical education; and adults in the community want to learn to sing or play an instrument. However, long waiting lists and high lesson fees discourage most everyone from pursuing private musical instruction.
The problem does not stem from a shortage of qualified musicians or teachers. Many people want to teach lessons, but zoning issues, insurance liabilities, and self employment taxes prevent teachers from establishing home based studios.
A440 Collaborations hopes to fill the lesson void by providing professional teachers with space to create a private studio and encouraging talented high school students to teach beginners. A440 Collaborations aims to serve school age music students and their families with quality music education experiences. Additionally, A440 wants to be a musical resource to the entire community, by providing rehearsal space for musical ensembles and free concerts.
Our Mission: A440 Collaborations exists to provide accessible music education to West Des Moines and the surrounding communities. We are a non-profit organization inviting everyone to participate in musical processes as a student, teacher, performer, and consumer.
Our Values: We believe in collaboration and will work with schools, parents, students, professional musicians and the community to promote quality musical experiences. We believe every student can be a teacher, and every teacher a student. We believe music is a performing art and provide regular performance opportunities.
The work of the organization will be achieved through the following five programs:
Private Lessons with professional musicians. Students enrolled in an A440 studio receive 15 lessons per semester and may attend group lessons. A440 will support teachers by providing studio space, recruiting students and keeping records. Teachers working with A440 agree to teach 15 lessons to each student during a semester, and perform three to five additional duties (such as leading a group class, performing a Friday night recital, organizing a student recital, or assisting "Buddy" Teachers). Teacher compensation will be 90% of the fee charged to students.
The Music Buddies Program offers talented high school students teaching jobs with A440 and provides low cost lessons to beginning students. High school students participating in the program as a "buddy" attend five pedagogy workshops and teach 15 lessons to their students each semester. "Buddies" agree to continue taking lessons with a private instructor (preferably at A440).
Weekly Group Lessons aim to create a safe, comfortable environment to practice performing and listening skills. A440 encourages every student to attend group lessons and regularly perform for an audience of peers. Different teachers facilitate group lessons each week providing feedback; and allowing students to encounter different ideas and viewpoints (or the same ideas with a new voice!) Elements of musicianship, ear training and music theory may also be taught in group classes.
The Concert Hall can be rented by local bands, chamber groups, and community ensembles for rehearsals and performances. Groups agreeing to perform a Friday night concert may pay a reduced rental fee.
Free Concerts and Recitals presented every Friday night by the A440 faculty, students, local bands, and other ensembles.
For this organization to function, the following jobs are necessary:
The director will recruit and supervise faculty, recruit high school students to teach in the buddies program, coordinate the buddy pedagogy workshops, schedule group lessons, schedule concerts and recitals, and provide general administrative support. The director will report to the Board of Directors.
Teachers will instruct private and group lessons, and assist (or supervise) the buddy program.
Talented high school buddies will teach beginners enrolled in the "buddies" program. "Buddy" teachers will report to a specific staff member, with other faculty members available to answer questions or assist as needed.
In conclusion, I'd like to research early childhood music education curriculums such as Kindermusik and MusicGarden to see how they might fit into my organization. I'd like to investigate existing music schools to explore program offerings and facilities. Finally, I want to learn about the legal and contractual issues involved in writing agreements with teachers, parents, and students.
