Children today get involved in multiple activities at very early ages. Their full schedules make it increasingly more difficult to recruit band students and to keep them engaged.

Maintaining a music program that is of the highest quality and offers numerous opportunities for involvement is one key to attracting and keeping students. MENC member Gary Gribble says, “Kids will not develop a long-term relationship with your program if they see few benefits. If they perceive your activity to be too time-intensive or too expensive, then you will have a harder time recruiting.”

Gribble goes on to say, “There needs to be a strong communication link between all levels of the music programs in your school system. All directors should view themselves as vital components to the recruiting and retention of students.”

Consider the following:

• Visibility - Perform in as many school and community events as possible. Students are constantly exposed to sports and popular music/dance, but seldom see live performances by instrumental ensembles. Perform in parades, send chamber groups to community events, and create joint concerts with feeder schools whenever possible. Perform for school system events, community recognition ceremonies, school assemblies, local nursing homes.

• Feeder program connections - Plan several joint events per year, some bringing the middle school kids to the high school (they need to see the facilities), and some taking the high schoolers to the middle or elementary schools. It can be joint concerts, chamber ensemble events, or social activities. Take high school students into middle school classes for an “open forum” conversation about the activities and benefits available at the next level. Invite upcoming middle school students to join in at a football game each fall. Have them march in with the high school band, perform the National Anthem for the crowd, and then join the marching band in the bleachers to play the stands tunes. Feeder ensembles can be invited to join annual spring concerts.

• Communicate, communicate, and communicate - Send a newsletter to each student several times per year. Include lots of candid photos of students having fun in band. Mention the performance, travel, and social opportunities. Maintain a bulletin board at feeder schools with photos and flyers announcing upcoming events. Schedule an information meeting for all 8th grade parents prior to the registration deadline for high school courses.

Getting Them and Keeping Them, Part 2
Getting Them and Keeping Them, Part 3

Gary D. Gribble has been the Director of Bands at Pope High School since its opening in 1987. Under his guidance, the Pope Band Program has earned a national reputation for excellence in all areas of performance.

--Becky Spray, September 30, 2009 ©MENC: The National Association for Music Education