Recruiting and Recommended Instrument Packages

I will soon begin to visit the fifth graders at the elementary schools to test and fit them on the appropriate band instruments for next year. I took my honors band to the four cluster elementary schools last month to play for the fifth graders, demonstrate the different instruments, and tell the students what band is all about. The students have already chosen their electives for next year (they had to turn in their choice of subject forms soon after we visited the elementary schools). I will get the lists from the counselors and then visit the students who signed up for band during school and test them on the different instruments. In those individual meetings, I will fit the students to the instruments best suited for them. I will give each student a brochure to take home to their parents as well as a certificate they can frame saying "I play [instrument name here] in the Tennyson Band!" with the recommended instrument packages listed on the back. I created three levels - Economy, Silver, and Premium. That way, the parents can see what basic items are required and then can choose if they want to spend a little more to get a little more. Here is a picture of what the flute certificate looks like - I used a really cool font: 

Here is a link to download a printable version: Flute Certificate. Here is a link to download a printable version of the Recommended Flute Packages: Recommended Flute Packages. You can print the recommended packages for all the other instruments as well. Here they are: Recommended Oboe Packages, Recommended Clarinet Packages, Recommended Bassoon Packages, Recommended Saxophone Packages, Recommended Trumpet Packages, Recommended Horn Packages, Recommended Trombone Packages, Recommended Euphonium Packages, Recommended Tuba Packages, Recommended Percussion Packages.

The brochure gives more information about private lessons, the importance of obtaining a quality instrument, and lists the date of the Band Parent Information Meeting. At the meeting, we will introduce ourselves to the parents and tell them the basic information about being in band. We will then ask the parents to split into three groups. The parents whose children were chosen to play the woodwind instruments will meet with me; the parents of the children who were chosen to play the brass instruments will meet with my first assistant; and the parents of the children who were chosen to play percussion will meet with my second assistant. I am in a lucky situation where we have specialists in all three areas. We will then go over each instrument and what the different supplies are and why they are so important and necessary. The parents will then be able to meet with the music store(s) and sign contracts to rent or purchase an instrument and supplies. 

Here is a link to the brochure I'll send home with the students at the individual meetings if you'd like to see it, and/or print it: Tennyson Beginning Band Brochure. It is a legal-sized document printed front and back and tri-folded. 

I will also make sure the music stores in the area have our supply lists very soon so that they can prepare. Waco does not have fully-stocked music stores like the DFW metroplex. I am hopeful for next year because parents will have the entire summer to obtain instruments and supplies instead of trying to get everything at the last minute like what happened this year. The students and parents didn't receive supply lists until the beginning of the school year this year since all of us band directors were newly hired.