As music educators, how do we build an audience for our programs? Should we be worried about attendance at concerts?
Concert attendance is a very visible representation of how well a music program is supported by the school community as well as the local community. In some cases, concert attendance might hold more weight than assessments. I believe that music educators should be concerned with concert attendance. I agree with with Dale that large programs have a big advantage over small programs as far as filling up a performance venue is concerned. Therefore, the best way to increase attendance at our concerts is to build our enrollment over time.
Students are the best ambassadors and recruiters and I, along with my students, need to be very active recruiters in order to increase enrollment. If I am doing my job well and I am truly awakening possibility in each one of my students, they will talk about their achievements in their music classes and ensembles on the bus, in the cafeteria, and at the dinner table. The goal is to generate buzz and curiosity about the program and prepare concerts that live up to the hype.
School concerts should not only be culminations of what ensembles have accomplished over the span of a semester, but EVENTS the whole school community can enjoy from younger siblings to great grandparents. Why sit in a seat for two hours listening to ensembles when you can enjoy a meal at the same time, or set up a dance floor for your jazz concert? If your music program is very small, maybe a smaller concert space is more appropriate than a large auditorium, or have all ensembles perform on the same night to fill a larger room.
In most secondary level situations, I think music educators should actively strive to create and/or maintain some sort of tradition. Maybe your concert is held on a particular weekend every year. Maybe your students wear bowties or scarves in the school's colors. Maybe your chorus performs a piece each year with orchestral accompaniment or with a rock band. Maybe there's a pizza party or pasta dinner before the concert as a sign of camaraderie. Creating and maintaining traditions can have a lasting impact on a school district for generations to come.
Nice points there John. I like your thought on creating tradition in your program, it really can give your program something more than just a boost. Creating a community or team that your school is proud to support and be active in will generate interest and keep your program alive. Field trips, music venues, pizza parties, school performances, competitions etc... Keeping your students involved during and after they have left your program is crucial and can only happen with a dedicated director and a vision.
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