THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION (March/April 2024)
We are happy to report that the response rate for the surveys was strong: 13.18% of members and 10.94% of non-members surveyed participated. (Standard digital response rates average 5-30%.) Below is a summary of this research – the results of which are positive overall – and we know we have plenty of work to do.
Thank you again for taking the time to complete the surveys and letting your voices be heard!
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The results of this survey allow us to prioritize initiatives that will:
- recruit younger, more diverse members from across the state, and those from elementary schools, college/recent graduates, and church/community groups
- continue to emphasize continuous learning and opportunities to increase skills and exposure to new music
- find even more ways for members to network and learn from each other
- adopt new technologies and communication tools that keep us connected, and
- cultivate leadership through program, committee and board work.
Specifically, here is what we found.
- The majority of members span 26-64 years of age with just over half are 35-54 years of age which suggests most members have professional experience and are not career-newbies.
- However, among non-members (those who lapsed their membership), the largest section are on the younger end 26-34 years of age, which suggests it’s the younger practitioners dropping out/not renewing.
- The biggest chunk of respondents have been members 21+ years with remaining members spread evenly across 1-5 years, 6-10 years, 11-15 years and 16-20 years.
- The vast majority of members and non-members teach in middle and high schools.
- The survey was completed by members in 157 unique zip codes and the largest concentrations are in the Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston areas. (A greater zip code analysis of the entire membership will be done to pinpoint gaps.)
- Survey results suggest that the vast majority of members believe diversity of race/ethnicity and regionality are “very important” or “important” in ensuring TCDA engages all choral communities.
- Continuous learning is very important to members. Respondents said the top reasons for membership include professional development, exposure to new repertoire, pedagogy, octavos, classroom tips and teaching, and connection and networking with other members.
- The majority of TCDA members do not receive financial support from their employers to pay for member dues or convention fees. Those who receive financial support receive only some portion of the membership and/or convention or stipends to spend as they determine.
- Most respondents who dropped their TCDA membership reported doing so because they were unable to attend the convention and/or the cost of membership is a barrier. Other reasons provided are lack of diversity, retirement from teaching, and new to the profession.
- The majority of survey respondents attended the 2022 convention.
- Those who did not attend convention last year had concerns about cost, experienced date or family conflicts, were new to TCDA (and may not be familiar with convention), or had concerns about COVID-19.
- Members and non-members value the convention for the presentations, classroom tips, pedagogy, octavos and reading sessions, teaching guides and all the ways members connect and network.
- 61% of survey respondents rate the frequency and clarity of communications from TCDA as great or good. The rest believe that communication is neutral or weak.
- The majority of respondents are kept informed about TCDA business via emails sent by TCDA. Website and Facebook are the second most popular vehicles for information.
- Almost half of members surveyed said they would consider serving in a leadership role in the future. Another third said maybe.
Thank you to all who participated in the recent survey regarding the Strategic Plan project TCDA launched this spring. This is an ongoing project and will take several years to develop, plan and implement significant changes into many areas within TCDA. Your feedback is essential as we move forward. We will likely request more information from both members and non-members as we continue this process.
As part of the TCDA’s 2023-2025 strategic planning process, we recently issued a survey to members and non-members to gather demographics and opinions about TCDA membership. It is our intention to use the results for planning purposes to help determine what programs and services are well received and where we need to improve; how can we stay vital or relevant yet affordable; how can we ensure all members feel included and continuously recruit new ones; and, how can we make the path to TCDA leadership more accessible.
We will begin rolling out survey results and data analysis now and through the Summer Convention, July 20-22, 2023.
As we announced in April, every member who completed a survey was entered into a drawing. We are awarding four (4) year-long free TCDA memberships for 2023 or 2024 (member's choice) as well as two (2) free convention registration fees for the upcoming 2023 or 2024 Summer Convention! The winners of this drawing are:
Two (2) Free Convention Registration Fees: Rhonda Swanson, Dumas ISD Caleb Whytus, Mesquite ISD
Four (4) Year-Long Free TCDA Memberships for 2023 OR 2024:
Alison Adkins, Mineola ISD
Andrew Steffen, Birdville ISD
Marguerite McCormick, San Antonio
Hailey Adams, Little Elm ISD
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