How To Pick Songs For Your Choir

One of the most important tasks a choir director has is selecting the right repertoire for their choir.  For many who sing in these choirs, the lyrics, melodies, harmonies and rhythms stay with them for a lifetime.  For example, just yesterday I was humming the tenor part of a song I sang in an honor choir in 1977 - more than 40 years ago!  The music sticks with you!  There are two groups to consider when selecting appropriate repertoire: 1) the group of singers known as your choir and 2) the audiences to which you will be singing.  Consider these thoughts as you select the next the next winning crop of chorals for your choir and their audiences:

 

SONGS THAT CHALLENGE AND TEACH 

As a young singer I really didn’t understand why I was being asked to learn mass movements in Latin by composers who were long gone.  There was no way as a 12-year-old I really comprehended much of what was going on around me chorally.  However, I am so grateful now that I understand more fully.  Those challenging pieces of choral art are changing me still to this day!  Chose some like these:

 

• https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/educational-anthem/products/hallelujah-chorus-sab

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/educational-anthem/products/missa-brevis

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/educational-anthem/products/fare-thee-well-my-love 

 

SONGS THAT CELEBRATE THE SEASONS 

Whether it’s Christmas/Winter or Lent/Easter, it’s fun to celebrate the seasons with music.  Audiences expect it, and singers typically love it.  Be sure to add seasonal favorites to your repertoire selections this year.  Songs like these:

 

• https://www.easychoirmusic.com/products/wintry-thread

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/christmas/products/one-christmas-candle

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/new-releases/products/manger-lullaby

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/products/good-king-wenceslas

 

SONGS THAT THRILL AND DELIGHT 

Choose some songs that are just plain fun.  These are the kind that quickly sell young singers on singing for a lifetime. And, these are usually consumed very easily by most audiences.  Songs like these:

 

• https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/educational-anthem/products/calypso-joe

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/educational-anthem/products/ukulele-lady-two-part

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/educational-anthem/products/groundhog-in-my-garden

 

SONGS THAT ENRICH AND INSPIRE 

Chose songs that will deeply move, cause deep thought and stir the hearts of your choristers; songs that will inspire them to be better people and do great things in the world.  These songs will also speak a deep and lasting message to your audiences. Songs like these:
 

• https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/educational-anthem/products/i-saw-a-tree

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/new-releases/products/for-the-beauty-of-the-earth-sab

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/sacred-anthem/products/let-my-heart-be-quiet

•  https://www.easychoirmusic.com/collections/new-releases/products/this-is-america-to-me-2-part-mixed

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