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Lakewood music department highlights 109 concerts, $38,000 raised and new standards-based program
Summary
Music directors told the Lakewood City Schools board they delivered 109 concerts this year, raised $38,000 for the program and are using a standards-linked online system called Music Mastery to track student progress.
Dr. Beth Hankins and Michael Dandren, directors in Lakewood City Schools' music department, presented the department's K–12 highlights to the Lakewood City Schools board for Music in Our Schools Month.
Michael Dandren described Music Mastery, an educational program developed by high school band director Clint Steinbrenner, in which students submit weekly recordings or assignments tied to Ohio Department of Education standards and receive teacher feedback. "This program has allowed us to include new standards in our curriculum," Dandren said.
The directors reported that, as of their accounting, the K–12 music department gave 109 concerts this school year (not counting smaller runs or outreach visits) and that the department raised $38,000 to support programming. They also cited student participation in honors ensembles: combined counts cited included 65 students across district honors and regional ensembles (17 orchestra, 33 junior choir, 15 band in various listings during the presentation).
The department described recent clinician visits and master classes, a $12,000 purchase of baroque bows for historically informed performance work, the Tri M (Tri-M Music Honor Society) chapter with 55 active members, and outreach such as "orchestra buddies" where high school students offer lessons to fifth graders.
Directors noted statewide and national service by staff in professional associations (Officeholders and positions included in the meeting: Steinbrenner as OMEA District 4 president-elect; Dandren serving as OMEA diversity, equity and inclusion committee chair; Hankins with recent service on the National Association for Music Education orchestra committee).
Board members thanked the department and encouraged continuing annual reporting during Music in Our Schools Month.
Why it matters: The department's activities reflect regular curricular programming, student opportunities for performance and outreach, and a measurable fund-raising contribution to sustain music instruction.
