Reply To: Band Director Teaching Choir HALP!

[nafmeadmin]

Hi. Congrats on the job. I am also one of your kind (band director/choir director).

The best way to approach it is to start them singing from day one! You’ll find that the best resources that you are going to get are from colleagues and friends in your area, but here are some things to get started:
1. Join a community choir- Find somewhere to learn some different warm-ups, vocal techniques, etc. Or take some voice lessons yourself!
2. The Complete Choral Warm-Up Book by Russell Robinson and Jay Althouse is very good! There are some rounds in the back that are also good to get them singing in parts
3. Let them sing stuff that they know and enjoy singing. Quality music is important, but especially in a new position sometimes you have to win them over.
4. Observe a local high school. Take a professional day and do some networking to get some advice to be successful.

Good luck!