Ny side | MyBandRoom.com

Recruiting never stops.
Make it a habit — small steps every week beat one big campaign once a year.
Be ready to welcome a new musician — already at the next rehearsal.
Have an instrument, a seat, and a simple “first success” experience ready.
Always carry an invitation.
Bring simple flyers to concerts and events — and give members a few to take home so they can invite friends and family.
Keep your material simple and up to date.
A small flyer with rehearsal time, contact details, and a QR code to your website/socials is enough.
Put recruiting on the agenda — every time.
It creates focus and action — and makes follow-up much easier.

Recruiting in wind bands — a practical guide

Recruiting is one of the most important — and ongoing — tasks in a wind band.

Conductors, board members and musicians work every day to keep bands alive and growing. There isn’t one solution that fits everyone — but there are many great experiences worth sharing.

This guide gathers concrete tips and proven practices from the work in and around wind bands. The goal is not a “one-size-fits-all” checklist — but inspiration and tools you can adapt locally.

Recruiting never stops.
But we are stronger when we share experience and lift the task together.

Tip: Use the sections as a checklist before your next concert, school visit, or board meeting.

1) Core principles

Recruiting never stops.
Be ready to welcome a new musician — already at the next rehearsal.
Put recruiting on the agenda. Focus creates action.
Always carry an invitation.
Give members flyers so they can invite friends and family.
Keep your material simple and up to date:
- Rehearsal time
- Contact person
- QR code to website or social media

2) Recruiting through schools

Schools are where young people are — and the teacher knows them.

Build the connection

Contact the school administration.
Connect with the music teacher and relevant grade levels.
Talk with the music teacher about which students might benefit from a musical community — some students truly thrive with a concrete offer and a bit of extra attention.

Get into the classroom

Take over a music lesson.
Do a short demo concert.
Introduce the instruments.

Hands-on — the key

Let students try the instruments.
Most can make a sound quickly — that builds motivation.
Praise them and create a safe, encouraging moment.
If you have many students:
- Set up multiple stations.
- Split into smaller groups.
- Get help from band members, colleagues, or the music teacher so more students can try at the same time.

Say it directly

“Try it — otherwise you won’t know if it’s for you.
It might be the best thing in the world.
Or you might prefer to keep playing football.
But if you haven’t tried it, you don’t know.”

Remove the pressure. This is not a life decision — it’s simply about trying.

Morning assemblies

Do a short, energetic feature.
Always follow up with flyers and information on the school’s intranet.

3) Play where young people are

Consider playing for free — with recruiting as the purpose.

Show up with a smaller group if needed.
Play at town festivals, sports events, seasonal events, children’s activities, etc.
Always bring material (flyers/QR codes).
Talk to both young people and parents afterwards.
Follow up on social media — what you did, and why you did it.

Some people discover you afterwards.

4) Social media — visibility

Be active and show your everyday band life.
Avoid long periods without posting.
Share photos and short videos.
Tell stories about community and progress.

Visibility creates recognition.

5) Social media — recruiting

Avoid only posting:

“We are looking for members”
“Come join us”

Instead:

Share in local community groups.
Tell a concrete story.
Vary the message.
Always end with a clear invitation: “Curious? Come visit us — contact XXXX.”

A single post rarely creates recruiting on its own — but it’s an important supplement.