“Get ‘Em and Keep ‘Em”

Improving Your Ensemble Recruitment and Retention

Marta Frey-Clark, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, mfreyclark@umhb.edu
John Denis, Texas State University, john.denis@txstate.edu

Recruitment
Be A Presence in your Feeder Programs
Work to become a familiar face and name in your feeder programs—a face and a name that
students think of favorably. Start this process early in the school year; it takes time, but is worth
the effort!
Visit classes, attend concerts
Do a recruitment tour (w/ students, or w/ a video)
Arrange an instrument petting zoo

Host Students from your Feeder Programs

If your potential students have the resources to come to you, this can be a much more efficient use
of your time. Bridge the gap between your feeder program and your youngest students through a
collaboration.
Pizza party, Pajama party
Singing/choreography gathering
Guest concert appearance

Market your Program

Consider your program’s audience, and its image. Your program has a “brand,” regardless of your
intention. Be in charge of your brand.
Know what your program does for stakeholders.
Know your audience and their differing/conflicting wants or needs.
Be intentional with how you sell your program. Use methods that tie into the previous
two points (what your program provides and what people want/need).
Shape your brand through a logo, a website, and the power of reputation.
No one will get the message if you (and others) do not tell them.

Understand the School Ecosystem

Your program is part of a larger system—a complex, multifaceted system. Understanding that
system is necessary for maximizing participation.
Know the master schedule (and who is in charge of it!)
Understand the desired outcomes of all stakeholders (continuously seek to know your
audience).
Identify and remove barriers to access (academic, financial, social, etc.)
Welcome late-comers

1
 Retention

Cultivate Community
Students want to be part of something that matters.
Use Responsive Classroom practices – greet students by name, do a daily “check-in”
Have weekly question/share time (campfire)
Organize social events
Take trips
Be accessible

Give Students Ownership

Students feel committed to your ensemble and responsible for the ensemble when they believe it
is their own.
Incorporate student leaders (good for them, good for you!)
Utilize other student skills (choreography, accompaniment, tutoring)
Allow students to shape your brand (logo, t-shirt, website)
Consider student opinions on repertoire
Give students the opportunity to decorate rehearsal space

Aid Students in Navigating Barriers (again!)

Some barriers keep students from enrolling in the ensemble; others keep students from staying in
the ensemble.
Be proactive in identifying barriers and helping students find solutions
Examining barriers is a never-ending process. Consider the costs from multiple
angles/perspectives
Be a problem solver – offer solutions as often as possible as early as possible
Welcome move-ins

Celebrate Progress
Show students their own musical progress; progress is highly motivating
Celebrate victories privately and publicly
Pass along compliments
Tell them when you’re proud

Learn from the Drop-outs

It’s not personal (even if it is)
Learn why they quit. Work to control the damage.