More to Start, Fewer to Quit! - October 2024

This month's MSFQ tips come from Marcia Neel, senior director of education, Yamaha, and education advisor, Music Achievement Council.

Recruitment is a year-round job so if you haven’t already established this year’s visitation schedule to schools, NOW IS THE TIME. It’s important to visit feeder schools at least a couple of times each month. The best recruiting model is for educators of the school with the older students to also serve as educators for the beginning students at the school whose students will eventually participate at the next.

Students will want to continue as they transition from one school to the next if they know and have a relationship already established with that teacher. In addition, becoming acquainted with the parents of these future students by attending their events and inviting them to participate in your events will help. Parents are more likely to encourage their students to continue if they already know the music teacher at the next school. Whether recruiting from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school, this model just works! Simply stated, there is security in familiarity.

Engage current students in this process. Younger students get a kick out of being recognized in a positive manner by their older peers. Contact the former educators of this year’s students to ask how all might work together to encourage these students to serve as leaders/mentors in the programs of their former teachers. Students love helping their former teachers and these educators appreciate seeing how their former students have matured in their music studies. Collaborations like these may also serve as projects and volunteer hours for students involved in Tri-M, Key Club or similar leadership activities. It has been found that those students who are more actively engaged in retention efforts themselves tend to also continue because it reinforces their buy-in and enhances the personal satisfaction they get from giving back.

Show how much you appreciate the support of the school’s faculty and staff by planning a Valentine’s Day Luncheon with entertainment provided by soloists and ensembles from the school’s various music programs. They will appreciate the generous gesture and enjoy seeing the students perform in a setting outside of their regular classrooms. The performers might also use this opportunity to perform selections from this year’s Solo & Ensemble event. Your administration will appreciate the feeling of excitement it will bring to the entire school. Consider involving the music parents in some fashion and plan on making this an annual event.

Thanks,
Marcia Neel
Senior Director of Education
Yamaha Education Advisor
Music Achievement Council