🎶Looking to Boost Your Choir Numbers? Let’s Make It Happen!
Who doesn’t need more choir students, right? As middle and high school choir teachers, we're always on the lookout for fresh voices to join our ranks. It’s a never-ending task, but here’s the good news—recruiting doesn’t have to be a chore! In fact, it should be a fun, ongoing part of your school year that keeps students excited and curious about joining choir.
While some students naturally gravitate toward choir because they love to sing, others might need a little extra nudge (or a lot of fun) to get them through the door. That’s where creative recruitment strategies come in!
Here are a few ideas to help you fill those rosters with excited new members.
🎬 1. Choir Movie Night
Nothing says “join the choir” like a fun social event with food! Host a screening of popular musicals or music-themed movies. Add in some popcorn🍿, snacks, and comfy seating, and invite current choir members to bring along friends who might be interested in singing. It’s a perfect mix of fun and recruitment!
🥞 2. Pancake Breakfast or Ice Cream Social
Start the day with a pancake breakfast or wrap it up with an ice cream social🍦—either way, it’s a win! These laid-back events give potential choir members a chance to mingle with your current singers in a relaxed setting. Sweeten the deal by offering incentives for current members who bring a friend along!
🎤 3. Bring a Friend to Choir Day
Open your doors with a special “Bring a Friend to Choir Day”! Plan short, fun “taster” sessions that highlight what choir is all about. Keep it light with popular songs 🎵 or vocal games, and let students experience the joy of singing in a group.
🚌 4. Mini Concert Tour
Take your choir on a mini concert tour around the school! Perform in different classrooms or during lunch to show off what your choir does best. Don’t forget to extend this to the lower grades, planting the seed🌱 for future choir stars!
🔥 5. Choir Fire!
Ready for a s’more good time? Host a bonfire night with hotdogs🌭, marshmallows, and all the fixings at a local park. This social event is sure to be a hit, and with a little help from parents for supplies, it’s easy to pull off. It’s the social highlight of the year that everyone will want to be part of!
🏕️ 6. Summer or Back-to-School Choir Retreat
Kick off the year with a bang by hosting a one-day choir retreat! Fill the day with team-building activities, games, and a bit of rehearsal. Invite students who are curious about joining to come along and see what choir is all about.
📱 7. Social Media Takeover
Let your choir members take over the school’s or choir’s social media accounts for a day! They can share behind-the-scenes clips🎥, rehearsal moments, and personal stories about why they love being in the choir. It’s a great way to showcase your choir’s personality and draw in new members.
🤝 8. Mentoring Program
Make new members feel welcome with a mentoring program! Pair recruits with current choir members who can guide them through their first few weeks and make sure they’re feeling at home in the group. You could also use this program to mentor younger choir members and encourage them to stay with choir through graduation! (At my school, we call it “Choir Adoptions”!)
🎉 9. School Spirit Events
Get your choir involved in school spirit events like pep rallies or homecoming! A fun performance can really showcase how exciting being in the choir can be and encourage other students to join in the fun.
🎤 10. Host a School-Wide Talent Show
Organize a talent show that’s open to the entire school. It’s not just about singing—let students showcase any musical talent 🎸 they have. This can attract students who might not have considered choir before but have a passion for music.
These ideas are sure to create a buzz and build a welcoming atmosphere that draws more students into your choir.
Happy recruiting!🎤
