THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC PLANNING MODEL APPLICABLE TO MUSIC PROGRAMS IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The purpose of this project was to develop and recommend a strategic planning model that can be used by music executives in their management of music programs in institutions of higher education. Specifically, the study sought to (1) determine the aspects which influence the planning process, that are unique to the administration of a music program in institutions of higher education, and (2) develop a model that incorporates the major concepts of strategic planning and that can be applied to the planning process in music programs in institutions of higher education.;In addition to these three areas, a survey was formulated to assess the current planning practices of music executives. The survey was sent to forty-nine music executives in both state-supported and private institutions; the return rate was 71 per cent. The survey results indicated that music executives are involved in and concerned with the planning process but a systematic approach to strategic planning does not exist.;The related literature supported several concepts which were critical to this study: (1) strategic planning is an effective means of planning, (2) business techniques can be successfully applied to educational organizations, (3) a model is an effective means of communicating a system, and (4) music executives are interested in developing management skills.;A discussion of the ways in which music administration is unique among educational administration was derived from personal interviews and readings in the literature. The discussion centered around the nine main areas of responsibility of a music executive: faculty and personnel, curriculum, organization, fiscal management, facilities and equipment, community services and public relations, music students, scheduling, and library and audio center. This discussion highlighted many planning variables which a music executive must consider and emphasized the complex nature of music administration.;Because of the nature of the problem, it was necessary to investigate related literature in three different areas. Literature in business administration was reviewed because it is within this discipline that strategic planning originated. Two areas of educational administration were considered: planning models in educational administration and strategic planning in educational administration. The literature in music administration was reviewed by considering textbooks, articles, and dissertations which have been written in the area.;The actual planning model was derived by comparing and contrasting many strategic planning models found in business. The conceptual model was presented in both descriptive and chart form. The model consisted of five main stages and seventeen sub-units. Each sub-unit of the model was described and explained from a business perspective and then applied to music administration.;The model was evaluated by five music executives who were given four packets of material relating to the model: (A) Introduction to Strategic Planning; (B) The Model in Descriptive and Chart Form; (C) The Model from a Business Perspective; (D) The Model Applied to Music Administration.;The results of the evaluation confirmed the validity and usefulness of the model. Because of this confirmation and the support gained from the related literature, the model is recommended to music executives to be used in one or several of the following ways: (1) As the primary planning tool (on the strategic level). (2) As a supplement to any planning system currently being used. (3) As an aid to develop "strategic thinking" among those involved in the administrative process.