Great programs are never built in isolation, according to Ryan Adair, Director of Bands at Salem Hills High School in Utah. “Our music program is built on trust, student ownership and community,” he says. “On my own, I am just one person — but in collaboration with talented people, we are able to accomplish truly remarkable things.”
By working with colleagues and community professionals, Adair has intentionally expanded student roles beyond traditional performance. One initiative involved training students to serve as the sound crew after they expressed interest in live sound engineering. Adair asked a parent who works in the industry to mentor students who learned practical, marketable skills while taking ownership of audio production. Adair often invites parents and alumni to contribute their professional expertise and partners with community groups to support his program’s performances and events. “By framing support as an investment in student growth and community culture, we build sustained buy-in rather than one-time donations,” he explains.
Collaboration is also at the root of the growth of the music program at Salem Hills — enrollment has doubled over the past five years. Adair credits strong vertical collaboration with Valley View Middle School and Salem Junior High. Retention is driven by a “Just Do Band” culture that Adair says is rooted in Don Miguel Ruiz’s servant-leadership model that is outlined in “The Four Agreements,” as well as consistent collaboration across the performing arts.
“During marching band season, a combined high school and junior high ensemble performs our competitive show for all 5th-grade classes, creating early excitement and clear pathways into the program,” he explains. Then, at one football game, Adair leads a 300-member pep band that is a “one-night, all-hands celebration that brings together musicians from the middle school, junior high and high school,” he says.
Older students model leadership and performance standards, while younger students experience the energy of high school band. “This event has become a powerful recruitment and community-building tool. Later in the year, those same students come back together in a combined Festival Music Preview concert,” Adair says.
In addition to relationships with feeder schools, Adair has also forged a strong partnership with the football coach and team. “What sets Salem Hills apart is the reciprocal support between the band and football team,” he says.
The band supports the football team through performances at games, pep rallies and team send-offs. The football team consistently advocates for the band’s presence and recognizes the culture and energy it brings to our school. The football coach regularly praises the band at games and competitions.
“Together, we’ve established a shared stadium practice schedule that respects both programs, strengthening collaboration and allowing both teams to succeed each week,” Adair says proudly.
Adair’s goal has always been to create a program that is artistically excellent, human-centered and rooted in collaboration. He takes pride in “showing my students how to balance commitment and effort within sustainable, manageable expectations,” he says. “Empowering students with real responsibility has increased creativity, critical thinking and investment in the final product.”
