Session Proposals

Wes Atkinson is the Director of Orchestras at Jenks High School, where he leads the high school orchestra program, conducts the Jenks Jazz Band, directs the Jenks Middle School Honors Orchestra (JMSHO), oversees the Jenks Orchestra Student Leadership program, and manages all orchestra-related activities across the district.

With 15 years of experience directing orchestras, bands, and jazz ensembles, Wes has a proven track record of growing and strengthening music programs. Since joining Jenks, he has led the high school orchestra program and the district-wide orchestra program as a whole through a period of remarkable growth, increasing enrollment by over 50% in four years.

Previously, as a middle school orchestra director in Broken Arrow, Wes more than doubled student participation, growing the program from 87 to over 200 students in four years, even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wes is passionate about building strong, student-centered music programs that inspire excellence, creativity, and community.

Recruiting isn’t a single event, it’s the heartbeat of your orchestra program. This session will help you embrace recruiting confidently, turning guessing, hoping, and worry into excitement about building your program.

We’ll reframe “sales” from something uncomfortable into something authentic: sharing your genuine belief that orchestra is life-changing for students. Special attention will go to your recruiting concert or event, giving you practical tips and strategies on timing, materials, and messaging that spark action.

Finally, we’ll explore ways to embed recruiting into your program’s culture year-round. From community performances and elementary visits to engaging siblings, parents, and your own joyful enthusiasm, discover how your daily actions become powerful recruiting tools. Come learn how to keep your rows full and your orchestra thriving.

• Orchestra - Middle School
• Orchestra - Secondary