Recruiting and Retention Ideas for Beginning High School Choral Teachers
I. Basic Goals/Concepts at all Levels – Good Quality Builds Numbers
- Good tone quality and solid vocal technique
- Good intonation
- Good phrasing and musicianship
- Quality literature appropriate to level
- Consistent rehearsal discipline and concert etiquette
- Solid and consistent warm-up regimen
II. Connections from School to School – Communication Builds Numbers
- Teacher connection from Elementary (5th-6th) to Middle (7th-8th)
- Teacher connection from Middle to High School (9th-12th)
- Teacher connection between High School Levels
- Communication between vocal teachers
III. Teaching Concepts through Performance Literature-
- Make sure music you pick is appropriate to age and level, varied in style and high quality
IV. Work at Good Communication
- Important Role of Administration in scheduling help
- Guidance Director and Counselors in scheduling help
V. Importance of Balance in Choirs
- SATB! – The recruitment of and maintenance of men at all levels
- Work at getting to know all your 8th graders
- Look for new 8th graders who might enjoy a music elective
- Work for Equal Balance at Select Levels
- Emphasis on Curricular Choirs first!
VI. Identify Goals to School Principal
- Explain you need quantity and quality to develop excellence
- Identify how they can help you- and ask for the help!
- Is there a Fine Arts Requirement?
- Are we meeting state Core Curriculum Requirements
VII. Role of Student Leadership
- Leaders insuring continued sign-up from level to level
- Placing ownership on leaders to keep students signed up
- Recruitment Push from 8th to 9th, and 6th to 7th, 5th to 6th– including visits, letters, concerts, promoting attendance at concerts at different levels, sibling and friend connections
- Creating a Legacy and Traditions with Alumni- e-mails, opportunities to serve, MC concerts
VIII. Emphasis on Excellence in Curricular Choirs First!!!
- All students must be in a curricular choir in order to participate in the “fun” extras- jazz, show, men’s and women’s choir, madrigals
- If students singing well in curricular choirs- all extra-curricular extensions will as a by-product be more excellent as well!!
- If vocal technique is solidly being taught in curricular choirs- change in style for extra-curricular jazz and show music will be an easier task- Solid vocal technique should transfer through all styles
IX. Publicize each success as it grows
- How many kids you pull in each year
- Get articles on front of newspapers
- Have kids sing at public events, community meetings, board meetings
- Have a parent assigned to publicize good works
I HOPE MY OUTLINE CAN GIVE YOU IDEAS, ANY QUESTIONS – FEEL FREE TO CALL 973-584-1200 X1250 OR E-MAIL AT llynch@roxbury.org
[Lorraine Lynch is NJACDA Board Mentoring Resource for Beginning Teachers, and a Past President]
Jan. 2014 expired sites site down
Good article, Lori, and from a highly successful program.