Read the Latest Tips from the Music Achievement Council

RECRUITMENT
As you enter the school year and begin building your next class of beginning band students, work to make recruiting personal. Flyers, posters, and social media posts are helpful, but those are also easy for students to ignore. However, nothing replaces the effectiveness of personal communication in recruiting. Face-to-face conversations with students, either individually or in other classes, can go a long way towards encouraging students to join your program. Working with other teachers in your school to build community can also be a good way for others to recognize the value of your band program.

RETENTION
A big part of retention in any organization is a direct result of the group’s culture. What can you do to invest in your students and create a culture of positivity and success? Leading by example can be a big part of building authentic relationships with your students. Being faithful to recognize students for their accomplishments and showing your appreciation to them are also effective tools to use, building culture and help foster a sense of belonging in the organization.

SUCCESS
Start this school year by defining what success will mean to you and your band this year. Look back at last year and determine where progress can be made towards improvement in some way this year. Gary Smith, former director of the Marching Illini at the University of Illinois, says that “System + Spirit = Success.” Your system is defined as the way you do things. Is your system as organized and effective as it can be? The spirit is what your students contribute through their attitude, actions, dedication, hard work, etc. If those two things are in place and in good working order, your program will be successful!
By Dr. Craig Aarhus

MusicAchievementCouncil.org