[HANASHIR:6152] Directing a Children's Choir

[Barton1320 <Barton1320...>]

I hope I have sent this correctly.  This is my first time communicating via 
this list.

First, I have to say how much I have enjoyed receiving information through 
this list.  As enjoyable is reading the variety of discussions on songs and 
song leading.  It's been very educational.

I am part of a directorial team for our Youth Choir.  We began this program 
last year and completed the active year with a resoundingly successful 
performance at our May congregational meeting.  However, as a trial program, 
we kept the songs performed throughout the year rather simple, and were 
satisfied with the fact that the children showed up and sang all of the words.

Our plans for the upcoming year are somewhat more aggressive.  Which leads me 
to my request for help.  We have two very competent musicians backing up the 
choir on guitar, one of which who scours this list for new and innovative 
music.  My primary role is directing the choir.  I play piano, dabble in 
guitar and sing.  But my directorial experience is nil.  Can you suggest 
resources for learning how to pull a choir such as this together?  I'm 
primarily interested in ways to help the children learn the music (although 
we plan to make tapes of the music for the children to listen to), some good 
ways to organize the group according to range and ability (the choir is open 
to children of all ages with the caveat that their parents help them keep up 
with the musical requirements), techniques for rehearsal to help the choir 
progress from learning to learned to innovative performances (i.e., solos, 
rounds, perhaps some harmony). I'm sure there is much I've left off, but this 
message is getting long.  Any direction to web-sites, books, or other sources 
would be greatly appreciated.  Although what we lack in knowledge is more 
than made up in enthusiasm, we would really like to get on track to helping 
our children make the most of their abilities.

Thank you.

Linda Barton
Temple Shir Shalom
Duluth, Georgia

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