SCHOOL MUSIC CHAMPIONS Playground Music Center continues its dedication to local school music programs by offering targeted education for music educators that focuses on effective recruitment strategies. — By Kimberly Kapela
N estled in the heart of Florida, Play- ground Music Center has become more than just a full-line music store; it’s become a lifeline for aspir- ing musicians across the local schools it serves. With an impressive 63-year legacy, Playground Music’s commitment to the school music market is deeply rooted in its mission, which has been the key to its suc- cess. The story of Playground Music starts more than six decades ago when James Leonard, a devoted music educator, saw a crucial need for a music store to service his community. “Serving the local school market is 100% why we’re still here,” said Matt Dixon, Playground Music Center’s vice president of operations. “That’s what we do, that’s where our passion lies. We were founded 60 years ago by my grand- father [James Leonard], who was a music educator, who recognized that there was a need for a music store that would call and service the school band community in our area.” Beyond supplying instruments, Play- ground Music Center’s road reps offer hands-on guidance to their respective school accounts to ensure those students have access to quality instruments and the teachers feel empowered to cultivate their music programs. This commitment has fostered long-lasting relationships with local schools, and, as a result, many of Playground’s customers are genera- tional. “Our road reps are in constant contact with our music educators in the area,” Dixon said. “The reps and music edu- cators have special social media groups where they bounce ideas off one anoth- er. It really impacts recruiting when the road rep, the music store, and the edu- cator are all in sync and know they’re
Playground Music Center’s Matt Dixon
working together for the ultimate goal of getting more kids enjoying music.” EDUCATING THE EDUCATORS Recognizing a unique gap in the instruction of music education majors, Dixon said he hopes to provide more tools and training for band directors that focuses on recruit- ment — a skill that’s often overlooked in university programs. “Better education to the educators [is something we are working on],” Dixon said. “I know that sounds odd, but it’s about teaching them how to recruit, that’s not really something that’s well-estab- lished at the university level. When fresh band directors land their dream positions, many don’t yet know the steps needed to bring more students into their seats. Our goal is to continue to educate them and find new ways to reach kids and make them think that music is a great avenue to explore in their middle school and high school journeys.” Additionally, Playground Music Cen-
PLAYGROUND MUSIC CENTER Wright, Florida
Founded: 1961 Principal: James Leonard Locations: 3 Employees: 30
ter has a program called LINKS (Lonely Instruments Needy Kids) that donates instruments to families in need that can’t afford a band instrument. “We will donate a band instrument to them for their time in band,” Dixon said. “If they quit, we ask if they can give it back to the band director so that they can give it to another kid in need. That’s had a great response from a lot of band directors, and it’s helped out a lot of kids who would like to be in band, but can’t necessarily afford an instru- ment.” MI
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