As we look toward recruiting students for next year, try simply walking through the halls before and after school, or during lunches, with different instruments. I know it sounds crazy but if you start teaching instruments in 6th grade, walk around the 5th grade hallways with a different instrument as often as possible. And not just walk around, sell it, show it off, channel your inner cheerleader! Milk it for all you can. You can get your bassoon a hat, get your euphonium a cape, get your tuba a costume, get your trombone a scarf; anything to make it fun and noticed. Heck, give it a cool name! It’s goofy, but I’m serious, and if it gets one more student in band, it’s worth every minute.
Peter Loel Boonshaft, Director of Education
KHS America
About the Author
Dr. Boonshaft is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise. Dr. Boonshaft is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is Professor of Music and Director of Bands. He has also been named Director of Education for KHS America. He was honored by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education.”
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We look forward to the evolution of this exciting program, and welcome feedback on how we can further enhance the work that you do in music education.
We are excited to offer your program the opportunity to join the KHS America Academic Alliance today.