The Music Education Post Pandemic Planning Guide - Volume 4

In-Person Recruiting Ideas

If you are presently enrolled in in-person learning, here are some great recruiting ideas that we have borrowed from fellow educators.

Blitz Week

Pick a week to do a recruiting "blitz" at your feeder programs or elementary school. Hang posters up around the school. Order campaign-style yard signs and place them in the carpool drive-through for parents to read. Welcome students as they are coming in and out of the cafeteria at lunch with a small ensemble performance. Submit a morning announcement or create a video to be played during the school’s morning broadcast. Scheduling a specific "blitz week" can be an effective way to reach incoming students.

Drive-thru Instrument Safari

Arrange your high school sections throughout your school parking lot and provide a safari path for parents to drive through with their child and listen to each section. Each section can pick a fun song to play that features their respective section. Students can vote on their favorite instruments and directors can speak with each family after they have completed the safari - all while socially distanced and outside.

Virtual Recruiting Ideas

Teaching virtually doesn’t mean your recruiting efforts will be any less effective as in previous years. Here are some ideas that will ensure next year’s class is as full as ever!

Be an Online Guest Artist

Schedule a time to digitally visit your feeder programs to act as a guest teacher or artist for the day. You can do brief videos or demonstrations of each instrument and talk to them about joining the band or orchestra.

Utilize Student Videos

Student videos are a great way to recruit future members. Ask students to submit brief videos explaining why they joined the band or orchestra and what they enjoy the most. You can keep it simple or get creative.

Drop in a Cameo

The website cameo.com allows you to create a personalized video featuring television, music, and movie stars. Here is a recruiting video Siegel Middle School created featuring Rick from the show Pawn Stars.

Hybrid and Blended Learning Recruiting Ideas

Many teachers are teaching both online and in-person. Here are some recruiting ideas that translate to both in-person and online learning.

Social Media Takeover

Coordinate with your school to do a social media takeover. This can be a great way to live-stream videos from inside your program. Feature your students, programs, accomplishments, and why students should join the band or orchestra. Many parents follow the social media accounts of their child’s school and this can be a great way to reach these parents.

Slideshow Presentation

Create a simple and fun slideshow that can be shown in-person or online. Schedule a time to speak with students, either in their homerooms, in a school assembly, during their music class, or digitally. A slide show can be a great way to get students excited about joining your program, with features of your current students and to highlight accomplishments. You can also take the opportunity to address some of the FAQs that you get, such as can students participate in music and another school activity or club?

Phone Calls

While an "old school" approach, phone calls remain one of the most effective means of recruiting students. Calling parents individually allows you to individually speak with parents, share your excitement about the program, and uncover any concerns. Most frequently, parents want their child to be in the band or orchestra but may have a misunderstanding about the conflicts or other commitments that might prevent them from enrolling their child. Here is a list of FAQs you might receive from parents and a phone script to kick off the conversation.

Parks and Rec Programming

A summer parks and rec program is a great way to reach a wide audience and expose students to the joys of playing music. Many of these programs are being scheduled now so that registration can occur later in the spring. Find out more information about setting up an event.

Don't Forget to Check In

By now, we should be aligned with our building principal and counselor about our plans for next year. If not, a scheduled conversation can help bring everyone up to speed. But it’s important that you check-in regularly. Schedules and decisions can change, so you must be aware of any conversations that could impact your program. A casual conversation to confirm everyone is on the same page ensures there are no surprises later.

Resource Round-Up

Be Part of the Music is an outstanding recruiting resource with more recruiting ideas, videos, email templates, and even the ability to create a recruiting website for your school.