By Chris M. Bernotas
Spring is coming and that is certainly welcome here in the Northeast! Along with fresh air, spring also brings many exciting events in the world of education. We are all enthusiastically preparing our ensembles for spring concerts, spring trips, spring community events, and many other performances. The other school event that occurs around now is student course scheduling for next year’s classes! Kids are excitedly running to their counselors, looking ahead to the new and unique opportunities that await them (I can dream, can’t I?) Of course the first thing on their list to register for is band! That, at least, is the scenario we all hope and strive for.
Recruitment and retention are always on the minds of music educators. Some goals in music education are to help students learn to be independent thinkers and problem solvers, as well as cultural contributors. Without students studying music, it would be hard to achieve that. We also want to share our love of music and our passion for working together in creating emotional performances and lifelong memories with as many students as possible. Actively recruiting is essential in our quest of filling the sea of chairs in our room with fresh young minds that are eager to learn.
One way to encourage students to continue their study of music in band is to host a District Band Festival. Many of us facilitate a district concert. Usually, we have all the different level bands perform a selection or two for each other and perhaps end the concert with a massive group performance. This is a wonderful concept and, while it can present a few challenges to arrange, the end result is often well worth it. How would a district festival work differently? First of all, the District Band Festival isn’t necessarily focused on holding a concert performance—it is about student-to-student interaction. Let me explain. The concept is to host a side-by-side day. Seat the younger students next to the older students within the ensemble and run a workshop. Teach them a new piece of music! What I love about running a festival day is that it allows the younger students (even at the 4th and 5th grade levels) to experience making music together with the older students and not just observe them. The older kids are their heroes, their rock stars, and now they get to sit with them and even play music with them! That exciting opportunity alone creates a lasting impression on them.
The side-by-side experience is also wonderful for the older students. I encourage them to look at those little legs that don’t quite reach the floor, and think about when they were that age and what that music meant to them. They love the reflection and gain an appreciation of how far they have come, and I bet that some of them feel wonderful about how they are making an impact on an impressionable young mind. Not to mention that those younger kids get to see you, the director, in action doing what you love!
Adults can tell younger students that band is wonderful and how music is a lifelong passion and while we do need to impart that wisdom, words from student-to-student are incredibly powerful. Between their experience performing alongside their heroes, seeing a teacher that loves what they do, and hearing from older kids about how they love band, continuing to study music is a no-brainer. To complete the day you may want to include a performance of the new piece for parents, teachers, administrators, and community members. It is even a great idea to alternate between having a District Band Concert and a District Band Festival each year.
Music is an easy sell. If we create memorable experiences that kids enjoy and connect with, when that day comes in the Spring and that student gets set to select his or her course schedule, they may just smile and remember that special day.
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