Thank you for creating and maintaining your area’s website, be it WordPress, Drupal or some other content management system. When done properly, these sites can be great resources for prospective and current students.

Content to avoid

There is some content that needs to live on the main Butler School of Music website and should not be duplicated on separate studio or division websites. Here is a list of the kind of content you should link to from your website, but not reproduce:

• Admissions requirements: The main website now has an extensive walkthrough of admissions requirements for every degree and instrument.
• Degree requirements: Similar to Admissions Requirements pages, a page for every degree program exists on our main website.
• Audition information: This includes ensemble auditions or Butler School auditions for applicants (that information is included on the new admissions requirements pages).
• Faculty or TA bios (yes, we make directory profiles for TAs on our main website now!).
• Concert and event details – There is already an RSS feed from our web calendar to your website highlighting concerts and events in your area.

Please do a sweep of your website and make sure you aren’t publicizing any of this official information, and check for outdated links.

Content to add

Here are some ideas for content that are appropriate to host on your studio or division website:

• Photos or media with your students’ activities: Do not post any audio or video recordings of music under copyright without the proper permission, however. CJ Johnson can advise you if you aren’t sure whether it’s ok to post a recording.)
• Highlight outstanding alumni, complete with photos and an updated bio.
• Link to any news stories about your area.
• Tell everyone why your studio or division is special! For instance, the choral program emphasizes that choir a great place to meet new people and make close friends on a large campus.
• Advertise trips/tours that are coming up, or past trips that you want to show off.
• Brag about awards and honors your students have received.
• Place your social media channels somewhere obvious on the home page, and make sure you and your students regularly update those, too!
• Share pedagogical tools like warm-ups, exercises, or technical tips.
• If you need updated photos, contact our communications coordinator Franco LaTona and he can visit your class or event to capture some new ones.

Do I want a separate website?

If this feels a little overwhelming and you are not sure you’re up for it, that’s understandable. Maintaining a website is a lot of work, and there are risks to the reputation of your program and the school if these external websites do not receive regular updates. For some of you, relying on social media accounts like Facebook or Instagram might be a better fit. Let Page Stephens know if you’d prefer to retire your WordPress site and go the social media route.