Playback - Fall 2008 - (Page 28)

INTERNATIONAL Spotlight on Local Community Music Stores around the Globe ENGADINE MuSIC EDuCAtION CENtRE • engADIne, AUSTrAlIA Carol Brandman, Education Specialist at Engadine Music Education Centre, explains how her store has built communitywide connections with music makers of all ages. How do you think a music store can best establish itself in the community? “We provide short profiles in local newsletters, offer instrument tryout sessions for non-players, support local junior sporting teams and offer to speak about and demo musical instruments at local schools. We also carry a range of products and pricing. It’s important to have a friendly, helpful approach—customers should feel a welcomed part of the family.” What steps have you taken to build a loyal customer base in your community? “We keep in touch with a newsletter, sponsor local musical events, issue a customer loyalty card, issue a student club card and school band cards and offer teacher account service with special offers and reductions. We find it’s important to always solve the customer’s problem (e.g., repairs, delivery) and also ask what the community needs to help with their music direction.” Do you have any programs or events that have worked to successfully draw in new customers of all ages? “We coordinate a bi-monthly singer/ songwriter session at a local café, a local competition run in conjunction with our Chamber of Commerce, and annual choral and band reading days that draw teachers from statewide.” Do you offer lessons? “We have lessons available six days a week, along with complimentary group theory classes and examinations within the studio.” Do you work with local schools/educators to build a network with students? “Yes, this is done on many fronts: professional development, e.g., conducting workshops, primary school percussion training, displays at teacher group meetings, presentations on new titles; ‘Bandtime,’ our administered instrumental programme in local schools where music is not readily available; ‘Bandfest,’ our annual band festival; and master classes on different instrument skills.” Do you have any interesting stories about how you’ve worked with community members, families, schools, etc.? “We’ve become actively involved with the Australian Music Association (AMA)—two years ago I was elected to the Executive Committee. We also participated with our local preschools via the Sesame Street Music Works Kit, which brought parents and younger children to our centre, and are currently evaluating a Weekend Warriors programme for adults.” ENGADINE MUSIC VISION STATEMENT To be a leading provider of the resources required by musicians and music educators by offering friendly, quality service, expertise, reliability and value and to support the growth of music by providing events, products and training to stimulate and promote music as being an integral part of everyone’s life experience. GOALS 1. To provide exceptional service and appropriate range/depth of product. long-term and 2. To enhanceincreasing growthvolume viability by sales in real terms whilst maximising margins. 3. To optimiseinsystems, reliability and timeliness a cost-effective manner. 4. To foster friendly, harmonious, with productive working relationships customers, suppliers and staff. 5. To train andtodevelop skilled staff committed the delivery of quality service in a safe environment. 6. To keep abreast of current trends and technologies. 28 PLAYback

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Playback - Fall 2008

Playback - Fall 2008 Contents From the President NAMM Events Music in the News Voices of Our Past, Present and Future: NAMM Oral History Program Celebrates a Major Milestone Commercial Retail Reps in the Field NAMM@AARP New Domestic Members Washington Watch International NAMM Foundation Music Notes Resources Viewpoint

Playback - Fall 2008

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