Rebuilding & Recruiting in School Music Programs

It’s time to consider the next steps to grow your program.  The world of remote learning was tough on everyone, but particularly on music teachers.  Student music programs that, by their very nature, are designed to teach a performance art had to test the boundaries of creativity and resourcefulness. As a student music festival company, we want to be part of the solution.

As we all re-start, here are some tips for building or re-building a school music program.

• Don’t be afraid to start small.  Make it matter to the students and watch it grow.
• Be visible to the students who will feed into your program. 
  • Visit your feeder school to introduce yourself to those students. 
  • Take your musicians to perform for the younger students.
• Invite the younger students to join you at the high school. Your students can teach a pep song to play at football games.  Assume that they are part of your program, so they will assume that too.
• Plan some experiences just for the upper-level students.
  • (A Forum Festival trip?)  The younger students will have something to work towards as they build their skills.
• Guest conduct at your feeder school. 
  • Remember an encouraging word!
• Swap places with the feeder school director for a day (if admin agrees)
• Gather statistics for school counselors about the advantages for music kids.
  • Higher GPA overall for music students
  • Successful alumni who performed in the band/orchestra/choir program
  • Quality colleges that pursue students from your music program
  • Access and visibility to college-level professors at music festivals
  • Better attendance and lower drop-out rates among music students
• Open the band or choir room doors before school, at lunch, and after school.
  • This is the place for your students. Make it their home away from home – a safe haven and their “special place.”  New students & friends welcome!
• Enlist the support of the whole community. 
  • Enlist the local newspaper as your group performs at a student music festival or other events.
  • Perform at local events, store openings, concert halls.
  • Invite community leaders to your concerts. (A boost for fundraising, too.)
• Music students must perform. 
  • The word is out – the band or choir is going somewhere!  Building your program will be the result!
• More recruitment tips are available through the following links:
  • Spring Forward – Recognize the importance of recruitment presentations.
  • MAC: A Practical Guide for Recruitment and Retention
  • Top 5 Orchestra Recruitment Tips
  • Creating Meaningful Music Programs in Rural Settings.

At Forum Festivals, we welcome music students from throughout the country.  These music programs are moving and growing and making things happen.  It is time for all of that to happen again. Contact us for details.

You must promote your music program and students.  It may well be that no one else will.