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goals are outlined, I work with our admissions office to Retention comes from a positive classroom culture.
send emails early to any incoming students who have Students need to know that they are important mem-
expressed interest in music with an invitation to audi- bers of the group who contribute both vocally and
tion (which I call “vocal handshakes”), videos of the personally, and they also need to know that they are
various choirs, and quotes from current students. We part of something larger than themselves. If they feel
have Facebook and Instagram accounts for our choirs respected, if they know their performances are high
as well. We have merchandise like stickers, shirts, and quality, and if they know you want them to be success-
bags, which my current students love showcasing all ful in other aspects of their life, they will likely come
over campus and beyond. Finally, I make myself a fix- back to choir.
ture on campus as much as I can so people know me
(e.g., concerts, games, ADEI events). Petite: I ask my singers to help me recruit by inviting
As far as retention goes, focusing on the student their friends to join the ensemble and to come to our
experience is everything. How am I making students performances. We sang the National Anthem at bas-
feel seen on any given day? How are they experiencing ketball games to increase our exposure. I visit area high
musical success? How are they getting to know other schools and work with their ensembles. I do this to give
students in the choir? We build time for inside jokes, back because we ask local teachers to host our interns
moments to reflect in rehearsal, and the chance for stu- and student observers. I also do this to recruit potential
dents to hear their own voice in the room (if they so future students. My hope is that high school students
desire). Those are the magic moments that keep stu- will be less intimidated to join a collegiate ensemble
dents coming back. A goal of mine for next year is to if they see that I am approachable and encouraging.
plan more outside-of-class activities, often assisted by I point out that many of our ensembles are non-au-
my choir officers. ditioned, and we welcome all students regardless of
Finally, people love being a part of organizations or major.
groups where they experience excellence. When people As far as retaining singers, I want students to feel a
love what they do and are good at it, they become your sense of belonging, where we enjoy each other’s com-
best recruitment and retention allies. Having excellent pany. We do activities outside of class, such as cookie
choirs that sing their hearts out is still, perhaps, the decorating for Halloween and Valentine’s Day, hik-
most powerful way to both get new people in the door ing, movie nights, etc. I also set aside rehearsal time
and keep them there. throughout the semester for students to get to know
each other. Students share exciting news in class and
Myers: My strategies for recruiting new music majors on our GroupMe. I also want students to have a sense
all boil down to the same concept: I try to be as present of ownership. I have a student assistant who helps with
as possible for middle school and high school students clerical duties and gets to teach and conduct repertoire.
in my region. This includes visits to area schools, con- Other advanced students lead sectionals. I solicit class
test adjudications, leadership retreats, and camps. I try input about certain interpretive decisions (breaths,
to ensure that three things happen each time I interact tempo, etc.), and I choose spring concert repertoire
with a choir: they can hear a noticeable improvement from student suggestions.
in their sound, they learn how to replicate that change
later on, and they have a good time doing so! To re- Wooten: In addition to planning tours for our flagship
cruit students already on campus, I try to encourage ensemble, I create conversations with teachers and
a more visible presence in our choral program, which program leaders from where our student populus is
may include participating in activity fairs, singing out- sourced. These conversations yield opportunities for vis-
side during class time or caroling throughout academic its and shared information with interested prospective
buildings, and maintaining an active social media pres- students. Retention requires a great deal of investment.
ence. My choral students’ lives comprise several components

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