Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • June 2014
26
For musical file sharing I prefer using Dropbox,
and I always share recordings as Wave files. True,
there are file-size limitations in some required school
communication tools and through email, so you may
have to use an MP3 file. However, when recording
you should use the highest possible audio quality.
Compressing a high-quality recording still provides
a far better listening experience than a low-quality
recording.
Phase 3: Create a Market ing Campaign
What if your school ensemble kids were the “rock
stars” of the school? Musical artists are promoted on
social media, have fan pages, release EPs and full
albums, and do media appearances, all in an effort
to build PR for themselves and increase ticket and
album sales. By taking some of these steps in your
own program, you can build community engagement
around the ensemble and add yet another dimension
to student learning.
Students can learn about marketing, sales, and
artist relations, while enhancing their written and oral
communications skills. You can promote this by forming
committees in the ensemble and encouraging skill-
building honors or AP projects. This also adds elements
of differentiating instruction and career readiness.
There are many online tools for music promotion,
such as SoundCloud or ReverbNation, but I prefer using
Nimbit. A basic Nimbit account is free and provides all
the tools needed for marketing, promotion, and music
distribution. Adding this element to a school program
will serve as a great recruitment and retention tool,
while enhancing the ensemble experience for both
students and parents.
Phase 4: Start a Music Technology Course
Numerous studies have shown that on a national
average, 20% of a school’s student population at the
secondary level participates in music education. But
we all know that more the 20% of students love
music. That’s why the Technology Institute for Music
Educators (TI:ME) advocates for “the other 80%.”
A music-technology course can cover digital
composition, recording, and production and can
Using Technology to Enhance and Grow Music Programs