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Board hears multi-hour music program presentation; directors report recruitment gains, staffing and scheduling concerns
Summary
Band and choir directors told the board they increased middle-school recruitment, sustained high retention, and face constraints from block schedules, bus costs and limited staffing. Directors asked for district follow-up on scheduling, busing support and an assistant band director at the high school.
Directors from Groveport Madison's band and choir programs presented an extended update to the board on recruitment, retention, scheduling and program needs, citing measurable growth alongside staffing and scheduling challenges.
"We decided to bring the fittings to them," Katie Harmon and other band staff said, describing a change in recruitment that took instrument "fittings" into elementary schools and improved sign-ups. Staff reported the program typically started about 90 students and that this year they saw roughly a 20-student increase in sign-ups (from ~90 to about 110'120), with a stated retention rate of about 90% for students who begin band in sixth grade through eighth grade.
Directors and staff said block scheduling at middle schools reduces students' ability to take a second elective and can depress participation. Presenters proposed several mitigation strategies: a traveling or co-teaching model, splitting sixth-grade band into woodwind/brass/percussion classes, need-based blocks or shortening periods to allow another class. They also asked for district help subsidizing bus costs for off-campus trips that provide enrichment (Kings Island, Ohio State performances, honor bands, adjudications).
At the high school, presenters said band enrollment rose from 72 to 86 in the previous year (a 19.4% increase) and that bridging students from middle to high school remains a challenge when students sign up on schedules but do not show for summer rehearsals. High-school staff recommended stronger "bridge" activities, pep-band inclusion for eighth graders, and more course offerings (jazz band, band methods, music fundamentals) to grow interest and pathways to music careers.
The band presenters requested adding a full-time assistant band director at the high school to allow more sectional instruction and to improve collaboration with middle schools; staff said the district is "in a process of looking into" adding an assistant. Directors also described successful extracurricular ensembles (collision/percussion) and noted percussion instruction continues.
Choir directors reported 76 high-school choir students across three ensembles (one non-audition group plus auditioned ensembles), about a 45% returning-student rate and active middle-school recruitment tours to fifth-grade classes. Choir leaders asked the board to consider semester-based scheduling to increase flexibility for students who cannot take yearlong music classes.
Board response and follow-up
Trustees praised the presenters and asked staff to follow up on recommendations. One trustee suggested engaging regional experts to help recruit and identify candidates should the district seek a new assistant band director. Several trustees emphasized the social and retention value of music programs and encouraged the district to consider targeted funding from the Education Trust for band and athletic support.
