Recruitment Strategies: -Gather information – adequate and accurate information about a child’s aptitude for music, and to use that information to counsel the child and parents concerning the child’s potential for success in instrumental music. -Information gathered is used only to provide a professional evaluation of the opportunity for success in music-never used to eliminate students from the instrumental music program! -Recruiting students for beginning instrument music classes is extremely important for the long-term success of all school instrumental music programs. -Who will do it? You or the music store? Who has more at stake?

Communication : -Key to successful recruiting -It’s vital to the success of your program. -Well informed people have a sense of assurance and trust! Who? -Administration Imperative that the building principal be “on your team.” They are in charge of the budget, scheduling and the total well being of all the students. They will be the first to answer to a parent in crisis! -Teachers Classroom teachers have important impact in the sense that their attitude toward you and the program will affect the attitudes of their students. Plus you are at their mercy when it comes to “Pullout” lessons! Memo page 21. -Parents Probably the most influential person in the life of elementary school students. Parents who are knowledgeable and involved in that program will support that program.

Keep parents thoroughly involved: Composer: Tim Lautzenheiser CHOIR DIRECTOR'S COMMUNICATION KIT Book/CD-ROM DIRECTOR'S COMMUNICATION KIT - MAC FORMAT DIRECTOR'S COMMUNICATION KIT - MS-DOS FORMAT HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTOR'S COMMUNICATION KIT - MAC FORMAT ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 2000 BAND DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION KIT - CD-ROM ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR STRINGS ORCHESTRA DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION KIT over 35 sample letters, brochures, and vital data for parents and administrators on computer disk! Edit, personalize, and mail merge while saving valuable time. Disk includes “text only” files in either Macintosh or MS- DOS compatible formats. A must for every band director!

Communication: -Carefully and clearly written -Should be factually accurate -Free of spelling or grammatical errors -Positive in character -Concise! Not wordy or philosophical -Program should start at the beginning of the year, not wait till marching band or other things get done. -Recruitment preparation should be ready to go when needed. Whether testing or gathering data of any sort. -Class meeting should start right away so everyone gets used to this time. -letter pg 23 -Simple data gathering note, pg 24

Data Gathering -Data gathering consists of two parts: I. Data gathering A. Aptitude, academic achievement 1. Froseth says, “Relationship between academic aptitude and musical success 2. not to be used as primary data B. Timbre preference 1. ITPT – Timbre Preference Test. 2. MAP – Musical Aptitude Profile -Results of both of these should be used when collecting data. -Remember, no matter what….ALL WHO WANT TO PLAY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY!!!!

Data Gathering -Data gathering consists of two parts: II. Recruitment activities A. Demonstration of instruments is the most crucial. 1. Be enthusiastic 2. Plan, plan, plan! 3. Do a instrumentation analysis, pg 26. a. Plan for instrument balance b. Enact it carefully! c. It enhances the experience. 4. Ask students for their 3 top instrument picks. 5. Take in to account their TP scores. 6. Have short conferences with parents to put them in the right direction

Data Gathering Conferences Time to guide the parents and the student to the right choice. -Take in to consideration their physical set up -Their TP test score -Balance of program (25 drummers!!!) -Pg. 23 letter be sent 2-3 weeks before conference. B. Concert By upper classmen band RECRUITMENT NIGHT!!!!!!!! YEAHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Data Gathering RECRUITMENT NIGHT!!!!!!!! YEAHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -Thank your principle -Introduce any classroom teachers or other administrators. -Briefly state goals and philosophy of the beginning instrumental music program -Brief comments about recent studies identifying the many positive benefits of instrumental music study. -Discuss recruiting activities already held -The starting date for instruction and major events for the year -A list of options for securing instruments in your community -A list of the method books students will need to purchase and where they are available - An opportunity for parents questions -A demonstration of the instruments for parents, along with showing any recruiting film you used with students -An invitation to schedule an individual appointment if needed -A thank you to everyone for attending the meeting!

Data Gathering RECRUITMENT NIGHT!!!!!!!! YEAHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -Talk to parents about their role as encourager. -Ask them to give positive comments about child’s progress. -Ask them to attend child’s performances. -Talk about importance of folding music stand for home practice, and a quiet space for regular practice. -Encourage child to handle instrument carefully and maintain properly. -Make sure to call parents of those who scored high on aptitude tests. These may be your best musicians. -Follow up letter is in order to parents. Tim Lautzenheiser(1993) writes that “Recruitment is the most critical part of any program. Period. It is to a band what a foundation is to a building.”

Data Gathering Tim Lautzenheiser(1993) writes that “Recruitment is the most critical part of any program. Period. It is to a band what a foundation is to a building.” Other Resources: NABIM Recruiting Manual by James Froseth (published by the National Association of Band Instrument Manufacturers, Inc.) out of print. Director’s Communication Kit’s by Tim Lautzenheiser (published by Hal Leonard Corp.)

Aptitude Testing Define: -Music aptitude tests measure the potential a student may possess to achieve in music. -Music achievement tests measure the skills and understanding that a student has achieved in music as a result of their aptitude (or potential) and experience in music – it is a measure of their current musical status. -Both types of tests are of benefit for you, the student and the parents. Results of these types of tests will enable you to o three things: 1. Plan instruction (based on identified strengths and weaknesses) 2. Counsel the student and parents about musical involvement. 3. Evaluate your own instructional program and teaching methods.

Aptitude Testing Three of the main tests: 1. Seashore Measures of Musical Talent (the first standardized music aptitude test, pub and rev. 1939, 1956 and 1960) 2. The Drake Musical Aptitude Test (1954 and 1957) 3. Musical Aptitude Profile by Edwin Gordon, pub Issues:-Cost -Ease of administration and correction -Time required to administer -Logic of test layout -Understandability of directions

Student Retention -Have realistic expectations about your program -Choices are a natural part of life, kids need to make them just like me and you! It’s not the end of the world! -Some students personal interests change. -You should control those issues in which you have influence!!!!!! -Instrumental music class should not meet during, gym, study hall, lunch, activity period! You force students to make choices and they may not make the one you want!! There are two things in which you have total control……….. Your Attitude and Behavior!

Student Retention -Help parents realize that their patient, consistent encouragement is crucial, since most children will go through brief periods of discouragement in the beginning. Two other factors of retention: -The beginning class must inspire a sense of progress and value, and it must be that they are learning and becoming more skilled on their instruments, will develop a sense of enjoyment about instrumental music. To read: Pg. 36 last paragraph!