IHSMA Resources for Iowa Communities

• Expand learning opportunities for students.
• Connect students with local musicians, educators, and professionals.
• Increase community support for school music programs.
• Strengthen relationships between schools and local organizations.
• Create opportunities for performances, mentorship, and service.

• Local Businesses – Sponsor concerts, scholarships, festivals, awards, or student leadership initiatives.
• Community Arts Organizations – Collaborate on performances, clinics, workshops, and educational events.
• Colleges and Universities – Provide guest clinicians, campus visits, honor ensembles, and mentoring opportunities.
• Service Clubs and Civic Organizations – Support student travel, equipment purchases, and community performances.
• Community Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras – Create shared performance opportunities and connect students with lifelong music-making.
• Parents and Volunteers – Assist with festivals, concerts, fundraising, transportation, hospitality, and advocacy.

• Attend and promote school performances.
• Volunteer at local music events.
• Offer financial or in-kind support.
• Provide performance venues when appropriate.
• Recognize student and educator achievements.
• Encourage collaboration across schools and community organizations.

Many of Iowa’s most cherished community events include school music ensembles. Whether performing at holiday celebrations, memorial ceremonies, county fairs, civic events, or local festivals, student musicians help strengthen traditions that connect communities year after year.

Music has the unique ability to unite people of all ages and backgrounds. School performances provide opportunities for families, neighbors, alumni, and community members to gather, celebrate student achievement, and share meaningful experiences.

Students who participate in school music are more likely to remain involved in music and the arts as adults. Many continue performing in community ensembles, support local arts organizations, volunteer with school programs, and encourage future generations of young musicians.

Performances and festivals demonstrate the dedication of students and educators while highlighting the quality of music education throughout Iowa. These events build community pride and showcase the accomplishments of local schools on regional and statewide stages.

School concerts, festivals, and special events attract students, families, educators, and visitors who contribute to the local economy by supporting:

• Restaurants and cafés
• Hotels and lodging
• Retail businesses
• Fuel and transportation services
• Community attractions

Statewide IHSMA festivals generate significant economic activity for host communities while introducing visitors to local businesses and amenities.

Music programs rely on partnerships between schools and their communities. Parents, alumni, civic organizations, businesses, and volunteers all play important roles in creating successful educational experiences for students.

These partnerships strengthen community relationships and encourage a culture of service and shared responsibility.

Students in music programs develop leadership, communication, collaboration, time management, and problem-solving skills that prepare them to become engaged citizens, professionals, and volunteers within their communities.

Many graduates continue contributing through community ensembles, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, schools, churches, and civic leadership.

Successful music programs enhance a community’s reputation and help attract families who value strong educational opportunities. High-quality arts programs demonstrate a community’s commitment to providing a well-rounded education and enriching quality of life.

Community partnerships help schools:

• Expand educational opportunities for students.
• Connect classrooms with real-world experiences.
• Increase access to expert instruction and mentorship.
• Strengthen support for local music programs.
• Build lasting relationships that benefit students and the community alike.

Communities can support school music programs by:

• Businesses – Sponsoring events, providing financial support, offering internships, or donating goods and services.
• Colleges and Universities – Hosting clinics, campus visits, honor ensembles, and collaborative performances.
• Community Arts Organizations – Partnering on concerts, educational workshops, and cultural events.
• Civic and Service Organizations – Supporting scholarships, awards, volunteer efforts, and special projects.
• Community Ensembles – Creating opportunities for side-by-side performances and lifelong music-making.
• Local Professionals – Sharing expertise in music, technology, event production, marketing, healthcare, business, or other fields that support successful music programs.

Through community partnerships, students can:

• Learn from experienced professionals.
• Explore college and career pathways.
• Participate in unique performances and educational experiences.
• Build professional networks and leadership skills.
• Develop a stronger understanding of how music connects with the broader community.

Partnerships strengthen schools while creating opportunities for organizations to invest in future generations. They foster civic engagement, encourage volunteerism, promote local pride, and help ensure that high-quality music education remains accessible for students across Iowa.

Partnerships with arts organizations can provide:

• Guest artists, clinicians, and conductors.
• Educational workshops and master classes.
• Collaborative concerts and performances.
• Student internships and volunteer opportunities.
• Access to professional performances and rehearsals.
• Mentorship from experienced performers and arts professionals.

Working with arts organizations helps schools:

• Expand learning beyond the classroom.
• Introduce students to a variety of artistic disciplines.
• Provide authentic performance experiences.
• Build stronger community relationships.
• Inspire students through interaction with professional and community artists.

Partnerships also benefit community arts organizations by:

• Developing future performers, audiences, and volunteers.
• Expanding community engagement.
• Building relationships with schools and families.
• Increasing awareness of local arts opportunities.
• Strengthening support for the arts throughout the community.

Students who experience local arts organizations during their school years are more likely to remain engaged as adults—whether as performers, audience members, volunteers, educators, or advocates. These relationships help sustain vibrant cultural communities throughout Iowa.

Former music students understand the lasting impact of music education. Many continue to support their schools by:

• Attending concerts and performances.
• Volunteering at festivals and community events.
• Serving as guest clinicians or mentors.
• Sharing career experiences with current students.
• Supporting booster organizations and fundraising efforts.
• Donating instruments, equipment, or financial resources.

You do not have to be a music alumnus to make a difference. Community members can:

• Attend performances throughout the year.
• Volunteer at concerts, festivals, and special events.
• Advocate for strong music programs within the school district.
• Connect schools with local businesses and community organizations.
• Recognize and celebrate student and educator achievements.
• Share positive stories about school music within the community.

When alumni return to perform, mentor, volunteer, or simply attend performances, students see the lifelong value of music education. These connections strengthen school traditions while creating a sense of continuity and community pride.

Every generation of musicians builds on the accomplishments of those who came before. Continued involvement from alumni and supporters helps preserve the history of local music programs while ensuring future students have access to meaningful musical experiences.