A Place in the Choir
Texas Choral Directors Association Convention
Presented by Connie Horton: McCullough Jr. High
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
[email protected]
The three “R”s for building a MS/JH choir program
Recruiting Relationships Retention
Recruiting
Attracting students who are in your feeder schools
o Do not under estimate the power of your elementary music teachers
o Work with the choirs at your feeder schools
o Participate in vertical team concerts
o Plan fun activities for upcoming students at each entering grade level
o Word of mouth - Parents
Attracting students at your school
o Word of mouth – Students
o Visibility is key to recruiting success
 Put pictures of your students having fun on the morning announcements
 Make announcements to your administration and faculty when your students are
successful: Solo and Ensemble, Region Choir, UIL Concert and Sightreading
 Display trophies
 Go caroling around campus (front office, counselors, librarians, Life Skills, classrooms –
with permission)
 Offer service projects such as singing valentines.
 Sing the National Anthem at pep rallies and other student/community events
 Choir T-Shirts and Locker Tags
o Be nice to your counselors
Relationships – Most important
Student-to-student
o Play get-to-know you games during the first week of school
o Plan several social events throughout the year
o Allow for talk time in your daily plan
o Have special days (within the school dress code) Snuggie Day, Crazy Sock Day etc…
o Create group assignments
o Plan fun activities that allow the students to perform for each other
 60 seconds of fame
 Talent Show
 Project presentation
Teacher-to-student
o Teacher first, friend second
o Learn your students’ names
o Self-evaluations
o Give your students a voice by completing a Year-in-Review
 What was your favorite part of choir this year? Why?
 What was your least favorite part of choir? Why?
 What is one area in which improvement is needed? Suggestions?
o Allow your students to make some decisions
 Warm-up
 Which song to start with
 Experiment with musical aspects of the music
o Don’t be afraid to look silly in front of your students
o Dress for themed pep rallies
o Take lots of pictures and post them in your room
o Attend students’ outside activities (activities that have nothing to do with choir)
 Sporting events
 Theater productions
 Dance recitals
Overall Rapport
o Set reasonable rules and expectations
o Be consistent and follow through with rewards and consequences
o Treat all students with respect
o Treat students fairly – Students clearly see favoritism
o Use appropriate classroom management strategies.
o Find ways to make all choir members feel important regardless of which choir they are in
o Be flexible
Retention
MS/JH – the bridge between elementary and high school
o Set goals and plan with your vertical team
o Participate in and/or attend events within your feeder
o Bring your high school director in to work with your students
o Ask your Elementary and High School directors to help at your concerts etc….
Every day in your choir program
o Set students up for success
 Warm-ups with purpose
 Select quality music that is appropriate for each level in your program
 Sightread EVERY day - Make it fun
 Bell to bell planning
o Make things interesting
 Have a routine but do not be afraid to change it up
 Allow students to lead warm-ups and sight reading exercises
 Encourage self-evaluation
 Challenge your students
Sending them on
o High schools musical expectations
o High school rehearsal/behavior expectations