Monday, May 9, 2022
This is our final QuickNote issue for the 2021-22 school year.
There is a tremendous resource of content and notification provided by NAMM and the Music Achievement Council. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to go to https://www.nammfoundation.org/node/59 and add yourself to the Music Achievement Council Email List. There are helpful documents and newsletters that are sent regularly. One of the frequent topics is MSFQ - More to Start and Fewer to Quit. That is certainly a noble mission and any helpful advice on that topic is always welcome. The article below provides just that. Dr. Charles Menghini writes about Recruitment Tips, Retention Tips, and Success Tips. Enjoy!
The information below was originally published in the Music Achievement Council newsletter for April 22. You can access the newsletter directly here: https://msfq.org/april-2022-tips-nasmd.
Recruitment Tip
Testimonials are an effective way to reinforce the importance of music education. This kind of social proof lets students and their parents hear firsthand how music is beneficial and why it's worthwhile. To boost your recruiting efforts, solicit testimonials from current and former students and parents about their band or orchestra experiences, and ask them to talk about the benefits of being a part of your program. Get permission to include their quote (and a picture, if possible) in an upcoming letter to future students. Next, write a message to the parents of incoming students about why their child should join your music program. Include a specific call to action inviting them to attend an upcoming concert or to meet with you directly. Be sure to add the testimonials you collected, and personalize your message with a mail-merge program. Consider sending a series of follow-up messages to parents who do not respond right away.
Retention Tip
Create a video of students talking about the best part of being in band / orchestra, their favorite piece of music, something funny about their director, or their favorite memory from this past year. Assemble these clips into a single video and show it during your spring concert. Parents will love seeing their child and students will enjoy feeling like a movie star. You can also email the video to students at the end of the school year to wish them a happy and safe summer break - they'll be excited about the past year's memories and will look forward to returning after the break.
Success Tip
While I was student teaching many years ago, the high school director created an "Honorary Director" certificate that he would present to various individuals in the city. Any time someone invited the band to play or did something for the band, he would present them with an "Honorary Director" certificate. It was presented on faux parchment paper, personalized, signed, framed, and read aloud to all when the presentation was made. I was always amazed to walk into a business and see the "Honorary Director" certificate proudly displayed. It was an inexpensive way to gain visibility while recognizing and thanking someone important. Consider creating your own "Honorary Director" certificates for special people, including administrators, business or community leaders, and other key supporters.
I wish you and your students all the best in your final concerts and the remaining months of the school year!
 |
Eric Matzat has experience in the music industry as a performer, teacher, and businessman. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors in Music Education degree and Diploma in Music from Missouri State University in 1993. Eric performed as woodwind soloist and music arranger for the Shoji Tabuchi Theater in Branson, MO from 1992-1996. From 1996-2005, he served as Director of Bands for Branson Schools in Branson, Missouri. He completed a Masters in Music from Missouri State University in 2001. In 2006, he was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Department of Music for Missouri State University. He has held the position of President of Palen Music Center since 2005. |
| (417) 882-7000 | (573) 256-5555 | (816) 792-8301 |
| (417) 781-3100 | (405) 896-8111 | (479) 464-8877 |
| (918) 286-1555 | (636) 229-1904 | (417) 882-7000 |