MENC has recently, recapitulated its vision of "Music for All" in its strategic plan, which warns that "30 to 50 per cent of new teachers who work in urban areas leave the field in their first three years of service.'' This undoubtedly affects instrumental music instruction for urban children. Collegial sharing is one solution to problems confronting educators and the principle behind the mentoring programs that are so crucial in retaining teachers. As a way to participate in this collegial sharing, in this article the author offers advice resulting from his quest to develop quality instrumental music programs for urban students. (Contains 18 notes.)