One of the slowest-building, and most worthwhile, aspects of conducting in the same place for awhile is the development of a choral culture. The traditions, the special songs, the running jokes, sure….but more important is the self-definition that you can help build.
It boils down to an expression that Seth Godin uses a lot: People like us do things like this.
When your students join a choir, they learn from the people around them what is involved in being in that choir. Good or bad, that culture can be just as big a determiner of success as anything else.
Do people like us practice regularly? Do people like use pencils in our music? Raise our hands when we make a mistake? Show up early for rehearsal?
You can demand all you want; these things don’t develop overnight but as part of a deep culture. The great part is, that’s a culture that will outlive your tenure anywhere.
People like us do things like this. Help them figure out what those things are, and encourage or demand as much as you can. But know that the good habits you seek won’t be locked in until they become a part of the culture.