The purpose of this study was to explore differences in enrollment and retention of instrumental music students between the initial grade level of instruction and Grade 7. Specifically, fifth- and sixth-grade starting levels were examined. Two organizational structures of grade levels were also compared: those that housed Grades 5 and 6 in the same building (unified), and those that housed Grades 5 and 6 in separate buildings (split). Subjects were elementary, middle, and junior high school band directors (N = 45) from Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia. A questionnaire that asked for information pertaining to various stages of enrollment and retention was distributed to directors. Results indicated that initial-year retention was significantly higher in those schools that started training in Grade 5. However, percentages of enrollment and retention were not significantly affected by starting grade or grade-level organization by the time students reached Grade 7.
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