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Fourteen years ago, the Roanoke-Benson High School Band in Illinois had just twenty-four members. The low enrollment was understandable considering that the high school had 195 students and I was the schools fourth director in four years. Since that time, however, through an assertive effort to promote the entire district band program to both students and community members, the Roanoke-Benson band program has seen substantial growth. Today, even with a smaller school population (178), the high school band has ninety-two students. These students currently represent 52 percent of the entire student body.
Of course, directors should never judge their success or their bands success solely by the number of students enrolled. But if you need some help recruiting, here are some time-tested, effective tips that may help you increase the size of your ensemble.
10. Get to know the students you're recruiting. Make an effort to learn about the students you'd like to recruit for your band. Obviously, in a large school district, you may not be able to know every student you're recruiting, but you should try. Communicate with the middle school band director to learn which students would be particularly successful in high school band.
Attend the elementary and middle school band concerts. Afterward, don't forget to personally congratulate as many of the students as you can. Middle school students need to see you on their turf. Make arrangements to visit the middle school often. Be an active and supportive participant while visiting the middle school band. Conducting or playing along with the students will demonstrate that you're interested in them. Simply calling students by their first names will make a big impression on them.
Time spent at games, theater productions, and other events is well worth the investment. Make an attempt to talk to parents and students at these events. Your presence will have a positive effect on your recruiting. This investment of your time will benefit you in networking with parents and students later.
9. Allow potential recruits to get to know you. Although the students may have heard of you, they need to become familiar with you. Students often find it easy to drop band when switching schools or changing directors. If they know you well, joining high school band...