Fire on the Bayou: The Status of School Orchestra and String Programs in Louisiana

Abstract

This study examined the status of school orchestra and string programs in Louisiana. A manual web search for string programs in parish school districts, student school affiliations from honor orchestra lists, Louisiana members of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and members of the Louisiana Music Educators Association was conducted to determine the approximate number of programs in the state. These data were cross-referenced with available data from the Louisiana Department of Education, which listed course offerings by school. A total of 44 teachers serving 97 schools were identified. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with five-string teachers and two district arts coordinators from around the state to determine the strengths of current string programs and opportunities for growth. Findings from participant interviews revealed the legacy of school segregation, inadequate funding for public education, competition from non-public schools, and the challenges of maintaining program infrastructure due to limited funding and perennial natural disasters. The results of this study were compared with other statewide string program surveys to situate Louisiana string programs in a national context with implications for string teachers, music teacher education, and professional development offered.