This session will examine retention and attrition in school bands and orchestras. Topics will include (a) reasons students persist or dropout as related to practical considerations, personal attitudes, and the influence of others, (b) research-based strategies to improve retention, (c) techniques for diagnosing attrition challenges within an individual program, and (d) how decisions to leave or remain in the ensemble likely depend on the program’s ability to meet students’ needs.
Phillip Hash
- Biographical Information
Phillip Hash is a Professor of Music Education at Illinois State University in Normal. He holds an Ed.D. in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a M.M in wind conducting from Northwestern University, and a B.M. in music education from Millikin University. He taught music education at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 2004–2017 and directed elementary, middle school, and high school bands in Illinois from 1989–2004. Bands under his direction have performed at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival and the Illinois Music Education Association All-State Conference.
Dr. Hash has published numerous research and practitioner articles on music education history, instrumental music pedagogy, mentoring student teachers, and music teacher evaluation, as well as arrangements for concert bands, strings, and small ensembles. He has presented research and clinic sessions at state, national, and international conferences and served as an invited speaker for several universities and organizations.
Dr. Hash has received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association on two occasions, as well as the Outstanding Chicagoland Music Educator Award and an honorary membership in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Illinois Music Education Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters’ Fraternity, and the National Band Association.