Instrumental music directors and parents should know that one of the strongest supporters of school music programs has been and continues to be the local full-service, school-oriented music dealer. Direct-mail and Internet retailers usually trade on price and do not offer service or in depth concern for the local school programs or community.
“A good school music dealer is just invaluable for us. They keep us up on the latest news [and] the latest products. Who needs a mentor in another district who is a new teacher? They know who is struggling and who is doing well.” – Lisa Lang
Watch Lisa Lang and Todd Smith share their “Tips for Success" for music educators.
Sound Bites
“It’s really important to form a real bond between with a music store. They need to be as interested in that program that you are, and if there’s not [an] interest there they will not be able to really understand your needs. – Todd Smith
“The music dealers also help us with beginning band. For testing, for instance, they give us brand new instruments to try out with every year. Shiny new instruments that the students can see, and it’s better than trying out on yucky old things you have sitting around on a shelf.” – Lisa Lang
The Music Achievement Council enables more students to begin and stay in instrumental music programs, to share real-world, successful strategies developed by instrumental music teachers. If you are an instrumental music educator, click here to learn more about the materials, tips, tools and resources available from the Music Achiemement Council that support you in your goal of recruiting and retaining students. You can watch Tips for Success Videos, here.
The Music Achievement Council (MAC) is an action-oriented nonprofit organization sponsored by the National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD) and NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). MAC is made up of three representatives from NASMD, three manufacturers and suppliers of Instrumental Music Products and one representative from NAMM. The council was formed in 1983 and reorganized in 1990, forming a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization.