Choral Recruitment Interview with Ann Espel

What would you do if your choir program at a new school had 20 students?
I would start with that core group of students and select repertoire that is suited to their
voicing, fun and educational. Then I would ask them to each bring a friend to join.

What kinds of advertising do you currently use to attract singers to your ensembles?
We talk about it in class and I ask students to promote the class to their friends who used
to sing but haven’t made time for it in their high school schedules yet. I also ask the
students to reach out to middle school students that they know and let them know how
much fun it is to sing in choir at high school. We also are going to the middle schools for
performances and Q&A sessions. We have a table at Freshman registration and we are
singing on a joint concert with the middle schools.

Why is it so hard to get male singers?

We are no longer a singing society for one thing. Boys aren’t encouraged to participate
in the arts like they are in sports.

Would you add a little pop or ‘fun’ music to your literature if it meant growing your
program?
As long as it’s quality literature, any music is fair game.

If the only interested students are terrible singers, what do you do?
I believe everyone can sing to some degree unless there are actual physiological issues
that prohibit singing. So, you start where the students are and progress from that point.
And, you recruit, recruit, recruit!

In what way could you get students actively involved in recruitment?

The students give the performances and answer any questions. They also talk a bit about
what they like about choir and the other activities they are involved in at school so that
potential singers see that athletes and mathletes as well as the creative types all enjoy
singing.

How do you approach middle school choirs that feed into your high school?
We have a good working relationship. They are very supportive and want their students
to continue to sing in high school. Together we have initiated joint concerts. It’s
important to respect what they do with the resources that they have. For instance, in our
feeder district, choir and band are outside the school day so it’s difficult for them to retain
students.

Is door-to-door classroom visiting possible in getting the word across about the
music department?
Not at the high school. At the middle schools, teachers are welcome to bring their classes
to the assembly where the Chamber Choir and Vocal Jazz Choir are performing.
Would you add or change an ensemble to cater to the students (i.e. replacing a
beginning boys choir with a jazz choir) if it meant more involvement?
Yes!
What would you advertise as an ‘incentive’ for joining choir? If there is one reward,
what would this be?
That’s an interesting question. I tell students that it’s a great way to meet new people
coming in to a big high school. I also tell them that while I expect them to learn how to
read music, there is very little homework so they can feel comfortable taking all honors
classes, etc. and know that choir doesn’t add to their daily work load.

Creative Ideas For Recruitment

1- Themed Concerts. Hold special programs (for free!) to the school
community and show how fun choir can be.
2- Advertise at Basketball Games. Problems getting male singers? Have
an a cappella group sing at the sports games. (Nothing to serious,
obviously. Something to make everyone want to join!)
3- Sing in the common areas at lunch to get more support.
4- Hold an all-school assembly with singers.
5- Incorporate less heavy musical theatre shows. If you don’t need the
most talented singers, more will be likely to try out.
6- Design a male a cappella group. There is nothing the ladies swoon
over and the guys want to be a part of than this. It could be an after
school thing or during lunch, etc.
7- Perform for the middle schoolers. They will get way too excited.
8- Compete. Many people are willing to get involved if they know there
are blue ribbons as an outcome.
9- Don’t make it binding. If the students want to join for only a semester,
or if they can never be there on Fridays, allow it, and encourage them
to practice outside of class.
10- Get friends of the non-singers to force their friends to join. Nothing is
more important in high school than to be with your friends.