Reply To: HS Music History is now General Chorus! Help!

[nafmeadmin]

Hello Jill,
If you already have a choir program for other students in place, I would suggest thinking outside the box with these guys and starting either a ukelele group, a world music drumming group, a steel drum band, or a percussion ensemble. There are probably numerous other signing/playing ensembles that could be appropriate, like mariachi for example. Any of these might take some start-up money, but perhaps the administration or parent donors can help get them going. They could certainly perform on concerts, and I would fight to have my top choir sing at events like games with the Star Spangled Banner, and not a beginning exploratory group. If it must be a singing group only, maybe make it a purely pop ensemble, or a contemporary a cappella group that sings really easy music. In general, kids who would rather take history over choir won’t want to do choir, but might be OK with playing instruments and singing too. If you have to do a choir with them, be positive, make it fun, and keep them signing all period. Hope that helps! Be Well, Chris Peterson