Good choir and band numbers don't just happen.........they're created. You can't rely totally on your elementary general music teachers getting the kids motivated in fourth, fifth, or sixth grade to be ready to join your beginning group, although most of them probably do a great job at promoting choirs, bands, and orchestras. There's something to be said about the impression an older ensemble member leaves an young elementary student.

Your best tool is one of your existing groups. Younger kids still listen to their teachers (for the most part), but they get very starry-eyed when a TEENAGER talks about how great something they participate in is. Schedule a tour around your local elementary schools and put on a concert. Have individual students in your group talk about their instruments or vocal ranges and do a small demonstration. Don't ignore the possibility of also performing for parochial or private schools, especially if they don't have their own high school system. These are students you want to "cultivate" as well.

If the facilities are big enough, don't just invite the students who will be joining in one or two years. Consider opening the concert to those as young as second grade, especially if the behavior's good. Often, the dream of being in a music ensemble starts young. If the kids see concerts and get motivated year after year, it will be something they will look forward to for a long time.

Many teachers do tours to promote their program. But, do you "offer up" your kids to go to the music classrooms? Most elementary teachers do a unit on instruments. Some of us even make the attempt to play some of these. But, how much more impressive would it be to have a teenager go to the elementary music classroom and talk with the kids one-on-one? Work with the elementary teachers to schedule a woodwinds day, a strings day,etc., and select a couple of your more reliable, talented kids that can afford to miss a class or two and have them do a demonstration. There's no reason why this can't be done for choir, either! What a great way to demonstrate the four major vocal ranges. This is especially important for boys-to recruit boys for your group later on. Young boys still feel rather hesitant about the "manliness" of being in choir. If you can select a guy who is not only in choir, but on a sports team or another "desirable" group, more the better. The most impressive? Selecting members who have brothers or sisters at the elementary schools you plan to visit. There's an extra added bonus for the elementary kids in having a visit by someone they know, or at least, someone who knows someone THEY know!

In band or orchestra, if you normally go around to give a talk and sign students up, you might want to consider taking a current student with you, if the above idea doesn't work out schedule-wise. Many directors talk about all the fun of being in orchestra or band, but again, coming from the adult, it doesn't quite have the pull as hearing it being described enthusiastically from an existing member. Have your current members talk about the trips, the benefits of practice, and all the other great things associated with music involvement.

Make friends with your elementary teachers. It's not "them" versus "us". It should all be "us". Make sure you keep these teachers up-to-date on your performances. Have some of your high school kids make simple flyers that can be posted in the elementary classrooms. If you do any recordings, send a copy to the elementary teachers that they can play for their kids. It would be great if these recordings could involve composers that the teachers will be introducing, musical styles that the teachers have discussed, multicultural styles, etc.

Ask the elementary teachers for input on the students who are showing interest. It will be a good indicator on how they will do in the ensemble in the future. Note: students who got solos in the elementary programs; students who seem to take off with recorder; students who demonstrated great coordination with Orff instruments; students who took piano lessons for several years and are actually out of the second book.

If you're involved with musical theatre at the high school, try to select musicals that involve younger students at least every other year. Be careful with these auditions. Don't throw the auditions open to just any kids, because that will be asking for trouble. However, allow your elementary teachers to make recommendations for auditions, and don't limit them on the number they want to recommend. These teachers know their kids. One school may not have any suitable for the musical you have planned, but another school may have 6 or 7 great kids. If parents complain, it's the problem of the elementary teacher, not you. You just get to make the final decision. And, COMMUNICATE!!! Communicate with each of them directly, not just one or two. You'll be opening yourself up for hard feelings otherwise.

The main thing to remember is: don't be afraid to start recruiting young. There are several kids who have had their eye on the top show choir, band, or orchestra since kindergarten:-)