Know your history.

So you want to fix a train wreck of an instrumental music program in eight years. okay here goes.

1. Teach as many small group lessons as you can in a day to raise the level of musicianship. Do it as soon as you walk in the door.

2. Split band and orchestra in two sections so when the young ones get good you can continue with them while still fixing the new kids.

3. Push for a schedule that doesn't marginalizes music and the arts to an "extra"

4. Don't ask for new uniforms they will be thrust upon you when you have over 100 kids instead of the 18 you were handed.

5. Replace all your equipment and fight for a reasonable budget.

6. Split theory and AP Music theory into two different sections, Duh.

7. Create an audition process that pushes fundamentals and reading.

8. Give concerts that actually entertain as well as show what the kids have learned.

9. Train students to train each other. Nothing is more influential then a peer.

10. Drink coffee everyday and play along because you love music too. It matters.