Background

Recruiting members builds our band and is the most important task to create and maintain the UCMB. In our geographic area, high school marching bands are smaller and far less numerous than most other areas of the nation. UConn offers no monetary or other assistance for members to be in the band. Football has not been successful in the past 7 years, so audiences are small and supporting the team provides far less of a reward than at schools with strong football programs. Simply put there is no natural draw for students to join the marching band.

However, the success and notoriety of the UCMB since the mid-1990s has created interest in students in CT and surrounding states who are looking for a good university and a strong marching band. Key to that was achieving adequate size to compare favorably with other prominent university bands. Size was achieved gradually by the diligent and extensive recruiting efforts described below. There is no one recruiting process that will produce an adequate new class each year. But, by continuing each of these activities with enthusiasm and ambitious effort sufficient numbers of members can be achieved. Efforts that may produce few members are still very important because together they have led to our success.

Compiling Names of Potential Members

Source	When	Explanation	Materials
Admissions	March	Obtain a database from Admissions of all students admitted to UConn for Falll sample email must accompany the request for the list. This email should both encourage students to choose UConn and to choose to be in the band. Respondents will receive various follow-ups. Guide for UCMB Staff: Recruiting First Steps	Admissions Data Request Form Sample database Sample email
Admissions	May	Obtain a database from Admissions of all students admitted to UConn for Fall who have paid their deposit by the May deadline This list will be smaller and most of the students on this list will actually matriculate A sample email must accompany the request for the list. This email should concentrate on the advantages of being in the band. Respondents will receive various follow-ups.	Sample database Sample email
Current Members	Fall	Email members and ask them to supply contact information for potential members they know from high school or other source. Information should include email address. Contact will include general information about UConn, applying for admission, and the UCMB	Google doc Sample email
Current Members	Spring	Email members and ask them to supply contact informations for potential members they know from high school or other source who are planning to attend UCONN. Information should include email address, social media contact, and phone if possible. . Contact will concentrate on being in the band and should be followed up with personal contact through social media or phone.	Sample Email
Website Contacts	Year round	All names entered into database. Contact info should ask about admission status.	Website info form
Band and Music Events	Year Round	All band events will include use of a recruiting display that will have an interest form available (See Events)	Interest form Initial Reply
Music Department	Year round	Department events, especially open houses, audition days, etc will produce names. All accepted music majors should be contacted	Email to incoming music major
High School Directors	Spring	An email should be sent to our database of regional high schools asking for names of their students attending UConn. Contact should include endorsement from director.	Email

Recruiting Team/Recruiting Team Manual

A committee will be formed in the Spring Semester through the Band Council in connection with Directors and Administrative Assistant.

Duties:

Produce or maintain printed recruiting materials and forms
Oversee presentation of recruiting information on website and social media
Maintain and update UCMB Recruiting Display* and related materials
Provide ample presence and appropriate display at all band and music events
Obtain membership interest forms from potential members at the above events
Enter potential member information in recruiting database
Make follow-up contacts to potential members.
Follow entries in recruiting database to final disposition
Develop additional recruiting strategies and opportunities to attract interest and potential members through direct contact and social and standard media
Coordinate and communicate frequently with directors, Admin. Asst., media team, and others involved
Update and maintain UCMB Recruiting Manual*

ADD: R ecruiting Team Guide

Recruiting Team Timeline

ADD Picture of Recruiting Table and list of display materials

Recruiting Events

The Recruiting Committee will have a display and presence at all UCMB events, appropriate Music Department events, selected events and festivals where the UCMB is not performing, and University Events such as Open House. See UCMB Recruiting Manual* for full list and description.

Emails, Social Media Efforts, and Phone Calls to Prospective Members.

The Recruiting Committee, section leaders, Summer Office Staff, and Drum Majors and Captains are expected to contact every person on the Recruiting Database and resolve each entry as incoming member or not interested. For sample scripts, calling strategies, and procedures please see the UCMB Recruiting Manual*.

Spring Recruiting Blitz

During March, April, and May direct contact with potential members is essential. Once students are admitted in March, email and social media contacts with all admitted students identified as music participants seeks to elicit a response indicating interest. Each response must be followed with personal contact of some kind. At the same time, all previously secured names are evaluated as to their status. In May, the tempo gets turned up with the list of students who submit their deposit and are highly likely to matriculate. All contacts from this list and remaining lists need to be contacted with various emails and social media information about the band and music activities The UCMB will have a presence at all Freshman and Transfer Orientations that will provide opportunities to contact students about joining the marching band.

Spring Recruiting Blitz Outline & Instructions (contains link to database, do not share)

Summer Band Office:

Students in the Summer Band Office pick up the effort in Mid-May, they coordinate off-campus efforts of the Recruiting Committee, Section Leaders, and other volunteers to finalize membership. Their goal is to have a firm designation of either “not interested” or “new member” for every person identified as a potential member. Summer Office staff also communicate extensively with new and returning members to convey information about Pre-Season and the Fall Band Activities. New members should be familiar with policies and procedures as well as have contact with section leaders and other members before coming to campus so that they can be as prepared as possible for a positive experience in the band

See Summer Band Office Duties*

UConn Summer Orientation Program

Starting in Summer 2019, the UCMB will have a presence at all Freshman and Transfer Orientations that will provide opportunities to contact students about joining the marching band. At each orientation session the UCMB will have a table and a representative at the Parent Information Fair. In addition, a UCMB member will lead a session in the "Vignettes" event providing a 10 minute introduction to singing the UConn Alma Mater and the band will have an information table and representatives at the "Pizza Party" at the end of the first night of each orientation session. The UCMB will have an information table and representative at each Transfer Orientation where all transfer students have the opportunity to speak with the UCMB representative.

Sample Orientation Schedule (2019)

Sample Orientation Expo Information, Form, & Schedule (2019)

UCMB Open House & Summer Camps

New members and their parents are invited to campus in July for a sample of life as a UCMB Band Member. The day includes meeting Drum Majors, Captains, and Section Leaders along with other band members, a music rehearsal session, a basic marching session, and a review of expectations, procedures, and activities of the UCMB. The goal is to provide as transparent a view as possible of what the membership experience will be like.

New Member Open House: Sample Itinerary

New Member Open House Registration Form

New Member Open House: Sample Program

The percussion and color guard sections hold rehearsal camps throughout the summer to audition new and returning members and to prepare for the upcoming season. Wind players are also invited to come to campus to sign out an instrument, get some practice time in, and "meet and greet" other members, leaders, and staff.

Percussion Camps: Sample Schedule