In Choir, we are RECRUITING EVERY DAY!

As a choir teacher, recruiting and retention are definitely a part of our role. If we don't do either, we run the risk of losing our program, our admin support, and more.

In most cases, students don't HAVE to take Choir. Oh, in some states, like mine, 6th graders are required to take some sort of music. In my school, we offer band, choir, and orchestra. If a student just doesn't choose, they automatically end up in Choir.

I don't mind, really. Because, how are kids supposed to know they'd enjoy Choir without having ever experienced it? So, it actually works out in my favor that they get scheduled for my class without actually choosing it. (Of course, there ARE kids who intentionally choose Choir - which is a BIG deal in my book, because I want the all to see Choir as valuable, and not the "dumping ground".)

BUT, knowing that probably half of my choir kids in 6th grade didn't officially CHOOSE to be in Choir, I take it very seriously that EVERY DAY IS A RECRUITMENT DAY!!

Now, I take it seriously - but I am not at all boring and serious during class. Instead, I work to create a culture in Choir that embraces joy, creates opportunities for friendship, expects excellence, but celebrates mistakes as part of growth. We share that these kids are at the very beginning of an award-winning program. We expect much, but will also make sure we equip them so much can happen. AND, I make sure we do something fun in every single class.

Remember, they don't have to come back next year. So, what can we do to insure they actually ENJOY Choir - even i they didn't think they would?

We have a 95% retention rate from grade 6 to grade 7 in my school. And, a 91% retention rate from grade 7 to grae 8. I am SO happy with that data!

Here are some of the KEY reasons we have kids coming back: (these are from the kids' own mouths!)

1. We have fun every day

2. No one expects you to be perfect; it's okay to make mistakes

3. We sound great!

4. The teachers are really nice.

5. We make friends.

6. We sing cool songs. (You guys...the fact that they said this after semester one is hilarious. I'm pretty sure we didn't do anything super cool until last week when we sang 8 measures of several hit songs for fun with our incoming 5th graders, but....)

7. Warm Ups are always fun!

8. You get better

9. You learn how to use your voice

10. You learn how to listen

11. You learn how to work together as a team

12. You become like a family

I don't know about you - but hearing those things from our current 6th graders was a true gift!

How have we accomplished all of these things? It's not super hard. To be honest, I think most of the learning/laughing/growing/getting better has all happened during warm ups.

*I switch out warm ups all the time. Never do the same set two days in a row. Always looking for something new.

*We MOVE during warm ups.

*We get competitive during some of them - and celebrate the whole group!

Here's one thing I want to leave you with today that makes Recruiting Every Day a little easier: Choose 2-3 fun warm ups. Figure out at least 5 different ways you an use that warm up. Think about it: 1 warm up used 5 different ways = 5 different warm up experiences. Figure out 3+ things you can teach with that warm up. And although it's AMAZING, do NOT do it every single day - even with the variations. If they love it, don't do it for a couple days. They'll be so glad when you bring it back!!

Here's an example: Yah-Yah-Yah. Sing on a descending S M D and ascend by half steps. Here are some ways you can change it up:

1. Change the vowel to Yoh or Yee, etc.

2. March to the beat while you're singing

3. Give cues to the dynamic level you want for each phrase. (Use 1-5 fingers, or show space between hands for soft-loud. Change the dynamic level each time you move a 1/2 step.)

4. Give directions each time you ascend. Right. Left. etc.

5. Add movement each time you ascend. Jump once, spin, squat, cha-cha, etc.

6. Walk around the room while singing and change direction each time you move a 1/2 step.

7. Choose student leaders to shout out movement/directions in the 1/2 step move. Use TWO students commanding two sides of the room at the same time. Forces kids to lock in on one leader.

And, that's how I approach EVERY SINGLE WARM UP. How many ways can I use this simple song? How many things can I teach and layer? Can we add something that makes it fun while we're learning?

(If you are looking to get better at your warm ups, check out my Power Warm Up Course. It's a 2 hour course that will equip you to use Warm Ups as your Super Power!

I'll share more RECRUITMENT and RETENTION ideas in future blogs. If you're needing stuff NOW, check out my Recruitment Bundle on TPT.

Wishing you the best Recruitment Season EVER!

As always, feel free to reach out! I love hearing from you!