Recruiting for Small College Athletic Band Programs
It may seem that small colleges face a recruiting disadvantage for band students when compared to large universities. The giant stadiums, large marching bands, and media presence certainly lure students away from liberal arts colleges or smaller regional universities. However, for every student who dreams of attending a state flagship university and marching in […]
Building the Right Way
I remember feeling quite fortunate to begin the band program in a newly constructed school the first time walking into my classroom. After three years of elementary music, I finally had my chance to teach instrumental music, which was my original goal. I was ready to pick out some favorite pieces, teach them to […]
Recruiting that Works, Part 2: Woodwinds and Brass
Last month we discussed how our recruiting program is organized at Creekside Middle School and how we assess potential percussionists for the program. In this part, we discuss recruiting efforts for the woodwind and brass instruments. Flute An effective technique for getting an initial sound on flute during the instrument fitting is to […]
Recruiting That Works
Over the years, I have tried many approaches to recruiting beginners into my band program at the three schools where I have worked. I had good success, and all of my band programs grew in size. However, the pressure of high-stakes testing and more rigorous curricula meant that instructional time was held more and […]
College Recruiting Tips: Hosting a Flute Day
It is becoming ever more difficult to recruit talented college students as fewer students choose music as a profession in this unstable economy. In most states there are many strong programs to choose from, but the story is different in rural areas. Since there are fewer private flute teachers and professional musicians, a one-day […]
Take Recruiting on the Road
Many years ago the instrumental music teachers of the Bakersfield City School District joined together to present a short recruiting assembly at each elementary school in the district. The purpose was simple: show how the various band and orchestra instruments sound and encourage students to join the music program. Over the years […]