Building Stronger Programs. Supporting Educators.
Creating Opportunities for Students.
Strong school music programs are built through great teaching, thoughtful leadership, appropriate resources, and a clear vision for the future.
Hicks Music Institute is available to work with public, private, and independent schools to evaluate, strengthen, and develop instrumental music programs. Led by veteran music educator Lee Hicks, HMI provides an experienced perspective to school leaders and music educators as they make decisions that can shape their programs for years to come.
How HMI Can Help
Program Assessment & Strategic Planning
Sometimes the first step toward improving a program is understanding where it is today.
HMI can evaluate the overall health of a school's music program and help establish priorities for future growth, including:
Enrollment, recruiting, and retention
Curriculum and ensemble offerings
Scheduling and instructional time
Instruments, equipment, and facilities
Budget and resource priorities
Performance opportunities
Feeder-program development
Short- and long-term program goals
Following the assessment, HMI can provide practical recommendations and a roadmap for moving the program forward.
Director Support & Mentoring
HMI works alongside music educators to provide experienced, collaborative support in areas such as:
Rehearsal and instructional strategies
Ensemble development
Curriculum and literature selection
Recruiting and retention
Program organization and goal setting
Jazz education and improvisation
Professional mentorship
The goal is to support the educator while helping create an environment in which both teachers and students can succeed.
Director Search & Selection
Finding the right music educator can shape a school's program for many years.
HMI can assist school leadership throughout the search process by helping to:
Define the needs and vision of the program
Develop the ideal candidate profile
Review applications and professional backgrounds
Develop music-specific interview questions
Participate in interviews
Evaluate teaching, rehearsal, or conducting demonstrations
Advise leadership during the selection process
Support the new director during the transition
The goal is to find not simply a qualified candidate, but an educator whose experience, philosophy, and leadership style align with the school and its students.
Program Investment & Development
When schools, foundations, parent organizations, or donors are investing resources into music education, HMI can help determine where those resources can have the greatest impact.
Consultation may include priorities for:
Instruments and equipment
Facilities and technology
Staffing and instructional support
Private instruction and clinicians
Performance and festival opportunities
New ensembles or course offerings
Long-term program expansion
Thoughtful planning can help turn financial investment into meaningful and sustainable opportunities for students.
Every Program Is Different
There is no single model for a successful school music program.
HMI begins by listening to the school's leadership and educators, understanding the students and community they serve, and identifying what the school hopes its music program can become.
From there, we develop recommendations designed specifically for that program.
Consulting may range from a single school visit or program assessment to ongoing director mentorship, strategic planning, or a complete director search.
Start a Conversation
Whether your school is strengthening an established program, building something new, investing additional resources, or searching for the right educator to lead the next chapter, we'd be happy to discuss how Hicks Music Institute can help.
Let's talk about where your music program is today—and where you would like it to go.