The Yellow Board

Recruitment Recommendations

Posted by at a loss on 11/3/2022, 9:12 am

We are taking a few 8th grade students to our elementary campuses next month and I'm not sure what to take for percussion or have them play.

Any recommendations?

We are not taking an equipment truck or trailer; so big things are out.

Thanks!

Re: Recruitment Recommendations

Posted by Agree on 11/3/2022, 12:52 pm, in reply to "Recruitment Recommendations"

I agree with the other responses to only take the beginner bell and drum pad kit. If not, you might have 50 kids sign up thinking they’re going to play “the drums” year round.

Re: Recruitment Recommendations

Posted by Dinosaur Dennis on 11/5/2022, 8:31 am, in reply to "Re: Recruitment Recommendations"

I always used a small bell set and a snare drum to show the incoming band hopefuls. However I had tryouts on these instruments. I would play a simple short pattern on snare and have the kids try to echo me. I limited my numbers of percussionists. I would recruit my keyboard players by selecting those with piano backgrounds. Yes I knew I would have a "drum" section and a "keyboard" section, but they proved to be strong down the road. At last count I had 2 grads playing professionally in Nashville.

Re: Recruitment Recommendations

Posted by Perc on 11/3/2022, 11:35 am, in reply to "Recruitment Recommendations"

I would take a concert snare drum, a beginner bell kit, a pair of crash cymbals, and a set of sleigh bells (if you're playing Christmas music).

For the bass drum, take a marching bass drum with the harness. You can either set it on some chairs to hold it up, set it upside down with the harness on the ground, or the student can wear it. If you have access to it, there are also foldable stands similar to keyboard stands that can hold a bass drum.

Re: Recruitment Recommendations

Posted by BorderBD on 11/3/2022, 10:59 am, in reply to "Recruitment Recommendations"

Honestly, I don't recruit percussion. I once ended up with 81 beginners registered. Fortunately on the first day, only 61 actually showed up.

If I do have to show percussion, I show them the beginner percussion kit. This way they'll know exactly what is going to be taught. I've had too many kids come up and say they want to play drums (drum set) or the drums like high school (marching battery). And then they get upset when on Day 1 we're not breaking out the "good stuff".

Re: Recruitment Recommendations

Posted by drumguy on 11/3/2022, 10:33 am, in reply to "Recruitment Recommendations"

Do the elementary campuses have any mallet instruments that your percussionists could use? Maybe you could take practice pads and/or borrow some of your 6th graders beginner kits? Obviously, it wouldn't be as good as the real deal, but it would at least be something.

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