How to Recruit Top Talent for Your Band & Orchestra Program

Imagine that a gifted drummer, guitarist or pianist just started their freshman year at your school. The student’s middle-school teacher even passed along a note praising their abilities. As the band director, you’d love to get them involved in the music program. But so far, they haven’t shown any interest in joining.

Most band and orchestra directors have faced this scenario at least once, especially at the high-school level. To broaden participation and improve overall musicianship in your ensembles, you should always be looking for talented musicians within the student population.

Some students are naturally drawn to the world of band and orchestra, while others need more convincing. Often, experienced young musicians who play instruments common to rock and R&B, like guitar, keyboards, electric bass and drums, will already be active performers at local venues or in church. Playing in more formal settings like concert band, jazz band or pit orchestra often lacks immediate appeal for these musicians, but their chops can be an invaluable asset to your program. In this article, we’ll discuss several strategies you can use to successfully recruit these musicians.

Leverage peer influence and highlight the social element

One effective way to attract skilled musicians is through peer influence—the good kind! Encourage current band members to invite their musician friends to sit in at rehearsal. This peer encouragement can make new recruits feel more comfortable and excited about joining. Highlight the social and cultural aspects of the program—the idea that band or orchestra is a place to find new friends and a sense of community.  

Many directors also host open-house-style events for prospective ensemble members and their families. This allows parents to see the program’s benefits and children to understand how they can fit in.

Find ways to incorporate players alongside the ensemble

Musicians who’ve learned their craft in rock bands or small ensembles might feel out of place in the band room or on a football field. And let’s be honest, if you’ve been playing lead guitar with a rock group on Friday and Saturday nights, the marching band might not seem as cool.

Rather than move the student to a new instrument, music educators can look for ways to incorporate their current instrument alongside the band or orchestra. Even if the arrangement doesn’t have a part for them, there’s usually a chord progression, specific instrument part or solo that can be adapted. Lots of high-energy pieces sound great with a guitarist or full drum kit accompanying the band.

Once a student gets a taste of playing alongside the band, they’re more likely to take an interest in joining—either with their regular instrument or by learning a new one.

Leverage their existing skills

Some students might be interested in playing a band instrument that’s similar to their current instrument. For example, a bass guitar player can transfer their knowledge to double bass as well as to tuba or sousaphone due to the similarity in bass lines.

Kit drummers can transition more easily to marching-band percussion, but will have to adapt to the differences. Start them on a drum that’s included in the drum set, like the snare drum, which often has solo parts in the marching band. Many kit drummers have learned intuitively by listening and watching, so marching and concert percussion, which require reading music, can make for a challenging adjustment.

Help them find their niche

Guitarists and other musicians might wonder how they fit into a traditional band. Depending on which programs your school offers, you could speak with them about jazz band, concert band, marching band, pep band, pit orchestra and more. Help them find their niche by highlighting the possibilities that each program offers.

The jazz-band setting in particular is often more appealing to rock musicians, whose experience with blues forms and improvisation will give them an advantage. If a jazz band isn’t available, consider starting one to attract these musicians.

Make the band instruments more interesting

It can be challenging to convince a young musician who is already proficient on one instrument to take up a new one. To generate demand for traditional band instruments, look for ways to make them more interesting. Find some entertaining #marchingband TikToks that highlight those instruments and share them in class or rehearsal. Sometimes kids just need to see the instrument from a different perspective.

Help them adapt to the band and orchestra world

Recruiting musicians who’ve already excelled in other settings to the band and orchestra program is a huge win. Students with different kinds of previous musical experience can bring new fire and inspiration to a band or orchestra setting. And a strong foundation will make it easier for them to learn a new instrument. For example, a guitarist who can read treble clef will find it easier to adapt to sight-reading on the trumpet.

However, many musicians who are already adept performers in high school may still lack some of the fundamentals. Since the proliferation of online lessons during the Covid-19 pandemic, more kids have learned their instruments without the foundation in theory and technique that structured lessons provide. It’s even possible that some accomplished players have never performed as part of a group, opting instead to showcase their talents solo via social-media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

Marching band, concert band and orchestra rely on keeping precise time, so rhythm skills are crucial. A student might be advanced on their instrument but still a beginner when it comes to performing in an ensemble. Be patient with them as they learn the basics of listening and following along.

Find the right recruitment strategy for you

Remember, the key is to make these talented musicians feel welcome and valued, showing them how their unique skills can contribute to the ensemble. By fostering an inclusive and dynamic music program, you not only enhance the overall musicianship of the group but also create a vibrant community where every student can thrive.

So keep your eyes and ears open—your next featured soloist might be starting school this fall!

Find more great recruitment tools at Be Part of the Music, Music & Arts’ free recruitment and retention platform!