Advice From the Experts: Motivation Part 1 – Recruitment & Retention in the Music Classroom

Kansas is blessed with great music teachers from around the state who have a great deal of wisdom and advice they can share with peers. With experience, with specialized training in various areas, with shear hard work, and with an uncommon desire to continue to learn, they have honed their skills and made a great impact on their students. Therefore, we are asking teachers from around the state a new set of questions each month. It is our wish that this sharing of ideas will create a type of synergy among teachers throughout the state and elevate every program to new levels of learning.

This month’s topic is about motivation. We asked teachers to discuss how they motivate students to join their ensembles, how they retain them, and how they encourage students to “buy in” to their programs. The responses were so rich, we had to split the articles into two parts. Part One addresses the comments that were given in regard to recruiting and retaining students.

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Gae Phillips is the director of bands at Columbus Unified School District and is the KMEA President-Elect.

Retention seems to be a reoccurring topic concerning public school music programs. Demands on the student’s daily schedule are increasing. Students have an immense array of choices within the school curriculum and with school activities and sports—many students choose to work a job as well. All of these issues can make a significant impact on whether a student will choose to stay in the music program throughout their school career.

Produce an excellent product and it will speak volumes. Outstanding performing groups attract people. Everyone wants to be a part of something that is exemplary. As educators, this is perhaps our biggest tool toward motivation and retention. Guiding the students through hard work and discipline will assure quality and improvement within the program. Setting attainable goals for your students and helping them accomplish them is another means to achieve excellence in your performing groups.

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Katie Topp is Sabetha Director of Bands in Prairie Hills USD 113 and was voted KBA Outstanding Young Band Director of 2016.

With my younger classes, I make as many things as I can into a game. I give them opportunities to play by themselves (show off a little) in front of the class if they want to. I teach them fun techniques on their instruments (growling, trilling, etc.). I point out and demonstrate every cool/fun thing I can think of. I also set aside a day or two each year to show each section some cool things about their instrument. I’ll meet with one section at a time and show them fun videos of people playing their instrument, and I’ll bring instruments for them to try that they might be able to play in middle or high school (piccolo, bass clarinet, French horn, tuba, etc.). I also bring a bunch of mutes for the brass players to try. For percussionists I lay out all the percussion stuff we have and let them play on everything a little bit; I also emphasize that they can get into whatever thing they like most or play a little bit of everything. I want them to be excited about their instrument and feel like their instrument is special.

The most difficult transition for me to retain students through is from 8th grade to 9th grade (high school). Students in my school quit band going in to high school mainly because of the culture – band is no longer “cool.” It is a long, slow battle to change that, but it’s just something you have to deal with. During the time that the counselors help the 8th graders set up their four year high school plans, I have a talk with them. I bring in a panel of high school band members so the 8th graders can ask questions. I emphasize that band does NOT interfere with any sports and that I will never say they can’t do a sport or activity because of band. I have also sent letters home to parents with the same information I give to students, information on the how band can benefit their child when it comes to applying for college and scholarships, and why I personally want them in band.

I’ve also found that personal loyalty plays a large part in retention; if your students like you, they are much more likely to stay in your ensemble. That doesn’t mean you have to throw them parties and let them do whatever they want, but you do have to win them over. I’m sure it’s different in schools with different teachers at different schools, but with my school, I am the only band teacher; I am what they get 5-12.

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Maranda Wilson teaches band and is the band curriculum coach for Wichita Public Schools and is the 5-6 A All-State Band Chair.

I like to have upper classmen talk to 8th graders about getting involved in band in high school. I have found that students are more interested in hearing what other students have to say about their experiences than what I have to say about them.

Students like to be involved in activities where they experience success. It’s important for a director to program music and plan in ways that will make their students successful. Everyone enjoys being part of a successful organization and will want to experience that success again and again.

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Jamie Minneman is director of bands in Marysville and has been the NW region teacher of the year.

I meet with the incoming beginning band students in the spring before they start to tell them all about all of the exciting things we do in band!  I like to take junior high or high school ensembles to play for them so that they can see all of the different instruments.  This also helps with my upper level students who are preparing for festivals at this time.  I also invite these students to the spring beginning band concert so that they can see those students just a year ahead of them and know that it is possible to make good music in that first year.  Sometimes I will use a piece called “Introducing the Band” which showcases all of the instruments and has a narration that goes along to let the audience know a little about each of the instruments.  At this time also, I like to give out awards and medals for their solo and ensemble efforts so that the younger students are motivated to participate in those things as well.

How to retain students is the million dollar question.  It seems to get harder the longer I teach with changes in class schedules, graduation requirements, and extra-curricular activities.  I believe success is the key.  If you put students in a situation to be successful, in a large group situation as well as solo and ensemble opportunities, they’ll come back for more.  Finally, I know it takes up a lot of time and weekends with family, but I try to get the kids to all of the fun things offered at area colleges, such as Band Days, Trombonafide, etc.

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Kris Brenzikofer teaches music in Pomona-West Franklin and is KMEA Special Needs Co-Chair.

Since I don’t get my kids until 6th grade I am trying to put a real focus on getting more visibility in the elementary schools.  Last year I took my Jazz Band to both elementary schools and had them introduce themselves and talk about what activities they are involved in at school as well as playing.  My 6th grade band numbers are almost double of what they were last year!

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Jane Vanderhoff recently retired as the choir director at Garden City High School and was the 2014 KMEA Music Teacher of the Year

Go on a recruiting tour with your students – have them perform, answer questions, do a short skit about choir, and talk to the future choir members about what they have gained through being in choir. Remember your target audience isn’t just students who are already in music classes, but students who had never considered it.

Perform in your own school during lunch shifts or ball games; singing valentine deliveries or caroling the office staff are good opportunities for exposure to the program.  Be visible!

As a teacher, greet students in the halls or cafeteria as you do duty or between classes – start a conversation with students outside of class. I asked one boy why he wasn’t in choir; “no one ever asked,” he said, and then he went to the counselor to change his schedule.

In the lower grades, ask other teachers for the names of potential prospects, and ask them to come in for a quick screening. Also ask current choir members for the names of other potential singers.

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Damian Johnson is the director of bands in Eudora and President of the Kansas Bandmasters Association.

If I want a student in my class, I make sure to personally ask them.  No email or letter…I make it hard for them to tell me no.  I also use peer pressure, in that the kids currently in my class will help to recruit kids for the class.

Planning activities helps retention, but really to keep kids in the class, the class already has to have good kids in it.  Kids want to be in a class that is disciplined and challenging.  If that is the case, one should have no trouble retaining kids.

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Summer Miller teaches orchestra in Garden City and is the KMEA All-State Orchestra Chair

I get students excited about joining orchestra in 5th grade by taking around a few of my high schoolers to the 4th grade music classes in the spring, before they enroll for 5th grade.  Since we have been doing this, our enrollment has increased DRAMATICALLY!  Students see band everywhere – football games, basketball games, parades, etc.   Many students do not know what orchestra is. Once we let them try the instruments with the high schoolers’ help, they are hooked! I coach my high school students to be encouraging and positive with the younger ones.  Years later, those students can tell you what the high school students said to them that convinced them to be in orchestra.

One way I retain students is that I teach at both middle and high school levels.  Generally, my students have fun and develop good skills so they want to continue with me into high school.  A second thing that helps is that I try really hard to connect with the students and develop a personal relationship.  These relationships can be very important to many students who may not have many reliable adults in their lives.

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Holly Taylor recently retired as the Wichita Public Schools Vocal Curriculum Coach and serves as KMEA Mentoring Co-Chair.

To encourage students to join your classes you need to be visible.  Greeting kids when they come into the building, going to their sports events, being involved in the “life” of the school and their activities are ways to “invest” in relationships. One year, I had few in the choir (especially guys), so I used my planning period to talk a few minutes to various classes. I was new and they didn’t know me so I introduced myself and shared what we were going to do that year in a positive way!  Also, get to know parents because often times, they will encourage their kids too if they know you and what your program is about.

To retain students you need to be fair and promote a quality program that is worth being involved in. If you find out a student hasn’t signed up for the next year, take the time to find out and see what you can do to correct the situation. The student will know they matter and you took the time to care about them.  But the number one thing is to have a respectable program that promotes excellence and team work

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Frances Oare teaches middle school orchestra in Wichita and was the 2013 Wichita Public Schools Middle School Distinguished Teacher of the Year as well as the 2015 KASTA Certificate of Merit Winner.

Our district puts on recruiting concerts in February for all of the 5th grade students who are bussed to our school to participate.  We basically present a smorgasborg of what is offered for students who are in band or orchestra.  The students are greeted at the door as they enter with our strolling strings group, then the concert begins with the pep band playing in the aisles and moves to the stage to hear the band, orchestra, and jazz band. In between groups we have a couple of power points talking about our school program and we interact and give out prizes to the students in the audience.

I believe the personality of the teacher is a huge factor in retention.  The students need to feel successful, cared about, and enjoy learning in your classroom.

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Ellen Kerr teaches general music in Wichita Public Schools and is the 1234 A Band Co-Chair.

Encouraging students to join, and then retaining them in music classes is something that I have become concerned about in the last few years, both in the smaller schools and larger, urban schools. In any size school, I think the best recruitment is to let potential music students see what they can become. Have the high school group, whether it be vocal or instrumental, perform for them and WITH them. Have the MS band play with the HS band at a Football game. Teach the middle school and high school choirs the same song and have them perform it together at the final concert.  In a smaller school, have all levels of Orchestra perform on the same concert, so they and their parents can see the improvements of each grade level.  This in turn, promotes retention in the program.

If it is a building program, without a solid high school group yet, visit a neighboring school of the same size with an established program, to let them see what they could accomplish!  Do a joint Pep Band at a Basketball game or march together with another Band at a local parade.

Anything you, as a conductor, can do to make it “real” for them, will be effective, even in the way you speak in class: “Next year in band you will be able to . . .” or “When (not if) you try out for the Select Choir . . .”

Just remember that you are building a program, not just filling seats in your class.  The students will see your commitment to them and the program, and they will respond!

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Erik Stone is Director of Bands at Comanche Middle School in Dodge City and was the 2017 KBA Outstanding Band Director of the Year.

Our department does a recruitment concert at the end of the school year for incoming 6th grade students. The following week after the concert our department visits each current fifth grade class and every student has an opportunity to try out each instrument. I also make sure to do my best in attending all of the 4th and 5th grade music programs that feed into my middle school. Seeing the possible future of my program is a very cool thing! I try to make sure that I say hello to kids before leaving and send a nice review to their music teachers so they can share words of encouragement with their students. I see siblings of current students and get to really know the elementary music teachers and their departments. Getting to know those principals is never a bad thing either.

I do my best to make students feel like their contribution to the ensemble is necessary for our department. I do this in part by selecting music for that has melody and sweet sounding counter melodies for everyone. It helps fuel a “We can’t do this without you!” mindset. This can be challenging for all percussionists so I try to give them special sectional days to work in small ensembles away from the rest of the band so they have more performing time during class. I also try to get instrumentalists in the area to come in and give sectionals. The students love telling me all of the cool things they learned that I apparently “never told them.”

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