There are five pillars to effective music ensemble student retention and I offer an acronym to help remember them by. I call this the S.M.A.R.T. approach to music student student retention. These aren’t the actual activities you’ll plan as part of your retention tactics (we will look at those separately), these are the underlying strategies to guide all of your retention efforts.

S = Success

Today’s young people have so many challenges; the most important thing we can do is to provide our students with successful experiences. They want to feel good about their efforts and what is being accomplished. One place where they can really feel good about themselves is in our music rooms so keep success in mind as you plan your recruitment projects.

M = Modeling

Modeling is another approach to keep in mind. Let me explain what I mean.

When I was in elementary school and even more so when I was in junior high school – I could not wait to meet kids who were older than I was. When older students acknowledged me in some way, it was a big deal simply because they were older!

We need to remember and key-in on this. Most younger kids want to be liked and acknowledged by older students, so find opportunities for high schoolers to inspire – and model success for – their younger peers. This can be extremely powerful and something most directors don’t use to full advantage.

What’s more, when we ask high school students – or even our older band students in the same building – to participate in some kind of a modeling activity, they really enjoy it! Many students welcome an opportunity to develop their leadership skills through positive modeling.

A = Activities

Of course, one of the most important approaches to the recruitment of beginners is ensuring that these youngest musicians are actively involved in music-making. Consider scheduling their first concert as early as the sixth or seventh week of school. A performance early on ensures that they will experience success performing music in public in front of an excited and supportive audience of family members. Remember, the point of an early “informance” is to show how much has been learned in a short amount of time as well as generate enthusiasm for performing on the part of the students. Plan to give your beginners successful opportunities to play as early as possible.

R = Reflection

Another approach that is often neglected is reflection. It is important to use reflection to encourage students to think more often about what making music means to them:

“Being in choir has become like being in a family.”

“The band room is the one place in school where I feel like I can be myself.”

We need to prompt them to say what being in an ensemble means to them, and to share their insights not only with students who may wish to join in the future, but also with our current students. Sometimes it helps to be reminded how music-making is making a difference in our lives, because it does.

T = The Total Picture

Keep in mind that students want to be involved. Not only do they want to be a part of the music-making, they also want to be a part of the school. They want to be engaged, they want to be recognized for what they’re doing, and this is all related to the total picture of what your music program brings to the life of each student.

As you review all of your retention ideas and begin to implement your plans, keep the S.M.A.R.T. approach to retention in mind. They will help make your retention activities even more effective.

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