➡️🎵Top 10 Tips When Choosing Choir Music
The other day, it hit me while walking my dogs with a teacher friend. She teaches math and was telling me that their new math textbooks still have not arrived and school starts in a week. She was concerned that she didn’t have time to adequately prepare. And of course, I agree with her. But It got me thinking that this is what I do every year as a choir teacher.
In that moment, I felt it- that little spark of jealousy for teachers with a pre-written curriculum and ready-to-go worksheets. No late-night score studying. No spreadsheet of who still needs to pay for their choir trip. No trying to entertain an audience several times a year.
But the truth? That envy fades fast. Because we get to do something truly special each day.
We don’t just teach, we create. We craft sound. We build community. We give students a place to belong. And honestly? I’ll take that over grading essays any day. (No offense, ELA friends.)
That said, it’s still a lot. And one of the biggest time-consumers for me? Choosing the right repertoire for the right group of students.
So how do we make that process easier and more meaningful without the late-night YouTube rabbit holes and piles of random single copies of sheet music?
Let’s talk about how to plan with intention, choosing pieces that are meaningful, and reclaiming a little bit of our sanity while doing it.
Here are some tips that have worked for me:
1. Create a Choir Repertoire Spreadsheet 📊
Start a spreadsheet of songs your choirs have performed, including the song title, composer/arranger, choir, and concert date. This will help you track what has been done and avoid repetition. Make note of songs that were big hits and worth repeating again in a couple of years.
2. Determine the Number of Choir Songs 🎶
Decide how many songs you want each choir to perform at every concert. It is okay to have an alternative song ready to go in case you need an additional song or if you need to swap out a song that isn’t working for your group. I do this all the time. Pro-tip: Don’t over-program. It’s better to perform two or three songs well, than perform 4 songs poorly. We want the students to feel successful and have fun!
3. Plan a Combined Number 🎤
Consider including a combined piece for the concert finale. This not only encourages younger students, who love to sing with the older kiddos, but also ensures everyone stays for the entire performance. Not only is it a great recruitment tool, but it can look impressive to the administration to see every kid in your program on stage at once!
4. Utilize Existing Choral Music 🎼
Ask yourself, is there any music, such as audition pieces for All-State or Honor Choirs, that can be incorporated into your concert rep? Teaching these to the full choir saves time and effort for all involved. Plus, it ensures that the students who plan to audition really know the audition pieces well. (And it can save you from having extra rehearsals.)
5. Think About Themes 🎭
While themed concerts can be popular, they can also be challenging to program. If you're not comfortable with themes, it's perfectly fine to avoid them. If you do choose a theme, but sure you are programming music that you love and not just looking for a song that fits the theme. Personally, I am not a big fan of themed concerts because I find them stressful to plan, but I do love a themed combined finale! (see #3)
6. Check Your Budget 💵
If funds are tight, consider borrowing music from local universities, other public/private school choir programs, or area churches. Just make sure to return all borrowed copies promptly. *Pro-Tip: When I borrow music, I usually purchase a few extra copies so I have them on hand as replacements if music is lost or damaged.
7. Align with Music Standards 📚
Plan with music education goals in mind. Identify what you want your students to learn this year and choose pieces that support those goals. There can be a lot of “fluff” music out there so ask yourself, what musical elements can be taught from this piece of music? I like to incorporate music that the choir can analyze and discuss. Don’t forget to add variety to your concert rep. (ie. varying tempos, genres, styles, etc.)
8. Consider Voicing 🎤
Be sure your choir can handle the parts and ranges of the music you select. If you have a small choir, choose voicing that supports the students. Review each part to be sure that range isn’t too high or low for the tenor/bass part.
The changing voice is usually my biggest challenge when selecting music because student’s voices can change quickly, like over the summer. If you are short on tenor and basses, consider finding SSAB music that can be challenging for all members of the group while supporting the lower part.
9. Plan Ahead 🗓️
Keep a running list of potential songs for next year and add songs when you think of it. I divide my list by concert (ie. Fall, Winter, Pops and Spring) and break it down by choir as well. This resource is always my first stop when selecting concert music. Need to choose music now? That’s cool…start a running list for next year!
10. Be Flexible 🤸♀️
After 20+ years of teaching choir, I've learned that until you have the full choir in front of you, you won’t have a complete picture of what will work best. Be prepared to adjust and have more music ready than you think you'll need. Flexibility is key! Sometimes the best-laid plans need to change, and having a backup plan can make all the difference.
Final Tip 🌟
Choose music that makes you happy! I love to say to my students, “I only pick music I like”. 😜 But there is a little truth to that statement. If you are going to work on a piece of music everyday for 6+ weeks, make sure you like it! Find music that brings joy to all!
Happy planning and enjoy making music with your students! 🎶✨
