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Orchestra Outreach | | |
 Dr. Korn's comments on the
Qualities of Effective Programs
Dr. Korn, of
Artsvision
, was kind enough to answer some follow-up questions. He elaborated briefly on the kinds of
qualities that make for effective orchestra education programs. Here is an overview of what I
understood from his
comments.
First, that programs are built around genuine need. They should provide a service that holds value
to the
community. It takes time and effort to develop, but having a comprehensive plan is important. Both implementation and
assessment should be included in the scope of the plan. He talks more about evaluation later,
but defining visible
objectives plays a vital role in proving the success of the program. In partnerships with schools,
teachers should be co-developers of projects and curriculums. This adds a professional development
component for teachers and artists. It gives
them learning opportunities and makes them better at what they do.
Sustainability is a central topic. A long-term commitment and vision enables a different level
of quality. As part of
that ongoing effort, he recommends incorporating third-party assessment. Independent evaluators
can help verify the
outcomes of the program, and their presence can keep the organization focused on its goals. He
emphasized the use of both
qualitative and quantitative data in longitudinal studies that look for changes in teachers’ instruction
as well as student
learning. Long-term designs with “accountable objectives” contribute to both the sustainability
and replication of
programs.
Dr. Korn also mentioned that students should be active learners. They should participate directly
with arts and
music materials. This is related to the skill building that he talks about in his Harmony article. Students should develop
real skills through their involvement with the program.
Finally, he talked about partnerships. “Diversity through partnership with other organizations”
expands the
presence the orchestra can have in its community.
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