Recruitment doesn't stop after fifth grade. And keeping kids in your program isn't just about filling seats — it's about building something worth sticking around for. This month, Portland State's Edward Protzman digs into how to bring back students who've drifted away, get different grade levels actually talking to each other, and pick music that pushes your ensemble without breaking it. Small changes, kept up over time, can carry a student from their first note in fifth grade all the way to their last concert in high school.
Recruitment
As directors, we should broaden our view of what recruitment is and when it should happen. Recruiting students for beginning band or orchestra and encouraging them to continue into higher grade levels is often the primary focus of our recruiting efforts. We should also look for opportunities to reengage students who have taken time away from playing and encourage students to begin an instrument at higher grade levels.
At the start of the year or during a change of term, advertise through posters and announcements. Encourage ensemble members to invite friends who used to play, and ask counselors to remind students that instrumental music is still an option.
Recruiting new players at the middle and high school levels can grow the program while helping fill areas of need. When encouraging students to begin an instrument at a higher grade level, focus on friends of current ensemble members and students looking for a school community to join.
Retention
Create a retention loop within your program by building regular opportunities for interaction between every level. These connections can create synergy throughout the program and help students see themselves as part of a larger musical community.
Invite directors from lower grade levels to conduct a piece at a concert, giving them an opportunity to reconnect with former students. Have older students assist with beginning band demonstrations, where they can take pride in sharing what they know while inspiring younger musicians. Offer side-by-side concerts that allow students from different levels to interact and perform together while giving parents a chance to see the future of their students’ participation. Older students can also help younger musicians prepare for middle school honor band auditions or solo and ensemble performances.
These and other opportunities strengthen connections across grade levels and inspire students to continue in the program through the positive culture and musical environment you create.
Success
Your repertoire choices will have a significant impact on the success of your ensemble. Music that is far above students’ abilities can turn rehearsals into repetitive drilling sessions focused on simply accomplishing notes and rhythms. Students are unlikely to be inspired by performances focused on surviving rather than musically thriving. On the other hand, a program of music that is too easily attainable may leave students unmotivated over the course of a concert cycle.
Consider programming with a pyramid of difficulty as your guide. Build the base with several pieces that allow students to focus on musical concepts such as expression, intonation, and characteristic tone. As you move toward the top of the pyramid, include music that increasingly stretches students’ skills without overwhelming them. Having several pieces that you know will be successful will take the stress out of performances and will leave students with a feeling of accomplishment.
One way to determine the appropriate level is through a reading day. Begin with a Grade .5 piece and progress through Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, stopping when students become significantly challenged. Keep track of where that occurs and use it as a guide when selecting repertoire. Try this again later in the year or at the start of the next and remind students on how far they have developed.
Edward F. Protzman is the Director of Bands and an assistant professor of music education at Portland State University in Portland, OR.
About MSFQ
Standing for “More to Start, Fewer to Quit,” MSFQ is an open-source, monthly email brought to you by the Music Achievement Council. Each month, this free resource will feature a recruiting idea, retention idea, and tip for success for music educators. The goal is to provide timely and impactful ideas that allow educators to grow their programs by recruiting new students and retaining current students.