ETM Choral Directors Handbook​

Table of Contents 

Why a Choral Program? 

Developing Your Choral Program Structure 

Where to begin? 
Meet with administration to set up choir logistics 

Recruiting Systems and Enrollment 

Enrollment and Audition Procedures 
Audition Pathways 

Rehearsal Procedures 
First Day Rehearsal Procedures 
General Rehearsal Structure: 
*Student leadership: 
Naming Your Choir 

Repertoire 
Choosing your repertoire 
Other considerations 
Repertoire sources 

Management / Accountability 
Be consistent with your policies and procedures 
Sample Letters 
 Choral Directors Handbook 

Why a Choral Program?

 
Music teachers should a have strong choral program in their school beyond the choral activities 
they are already engaging during general music class. Choir allows students with obvious talent be 
part of a singing group that can expand their abilities further and in depth, it allows the music 
department to have a group of students that can also populate instrumental ensembles and serve 
as advocates for music activities through the year. When you are able to engage a choral group in a 
meaningful way, these students are the ones that will make music presence in the school a “must 
have.” Choirs are also flexible; they don’t need special equipment and can easily travel. Once a 
music teacher has established the choir, they should do their best to include them in every special 
school activity; from singing the national anthem, to being part of the announcements, singing for 
visitors and if possible visiting local venues such as nursing homes and libraries. Therefore a 
strong choral program has the ability to not only impact a school but also the greater community! 
 
 
 

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Developing Your Choral Program Structure

Where to begin? 
Prior to any music making it is expected that each teacher develops an effective structure that will 
ensure success for your program. First teachers will need to meet with the administration to 
discuss and develop common goals for the role of the choir in the school community. Rehearsal 
schedule and concert dates should be discussed and developed prior to your recruitment process. 
Building a choir has many moving pieces. A strong and consistent plan is essential for all those 
pieces to move smoothly.  
 

Meet with administration to set up choir logistics 

 
Schedule a meeting with your administrator as soon as the school year begins to discuss the 
following: 
● Rehearsal space 
● Before, during or after school rehearsals. 
● Rehearsal Schedule 
● Arrival and dismissal procedures 
● Potential conflicts: Competing programs 
● Concerts schedule and special events. This includes the potential invitation of performing 
at the ETM festival at the end of the school year or other ETM sponsored events. Will your 
choir have its own concert(s) seperate from the winter and spring concert? 
● Student expectations in the general classroom and school community.   
 
 

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Recruiting Systems and Enrollment

 
There is no ‘right’ way of recruiting. Every school is different with a different culture, principal’s 
priorities, etc. However, there are systems that seem to work across the board when they are 
implemented well. Therefore, we propose a list of systems that are required and some that are 
suggested.  
 
 
Required  Suggested 

● Select Choir Info/Interest letter  ● Choir themed bulletin board 

(include sample letter)   ● Info table pick up area 
● Select Choir poster  ● Morning announcements 
● Classroom visits  ● Returning student 
● Classroom/Grade Info Meeting  performances/presentations 
● Other suggestions:  
 
Enrollment​ and Audition Procedures 
Depending on your school size, it is important to take into consideration from the beginning what 
size choir you intent to have. After having that initial meeting with your principal hopefully you will 
have a clear idea of what your obstacles will be in choosing the rehearsal times; this will also 
influence your decision on how many students you will need to run a choral ensemble that remains 
cohesive through the year. Once you know your pro’s and con’s on the time you will have your choir 
rehearsing your next questions are: 
 
● Is everyone is invited? 
● Are students invited to audition? 
 
Audition Pathways 
Since every school culture is different, teachers may have to try different pathways to doing 
selections. Again, this depends on the considerations we have already discussed.  
 
● Everyone is accepted 
● Classroom selection auditions 
● Small group auditions (Mock audition) 
● Other... 
 
 

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Rehearsal Procedures
 
Clear and consistent procedures are essential for effective rehearsals and lessons. Be sure to have 
a clear idea of how you would like students to complete everyday procedures before the start of 
rehearsals. Choral rehearsals should focus on interacting musically as a group, listening and 
blending. You must have a rehearsal plan outlining the concepts/skills to be learned by the end of 
the period. Student folders that containing warm-up routines, melodic and rhythm charts, and 
repertoire are strongly encouraged. Folders should be distributed within the first two rehearsals of 
the year. 

First Day Rehearsal Procedures 

● First day sets the tone for how the rest of the year will go.  
● Write a very specific plan that accounts for the following: 
● Code of conduct: Consequences/rewards, attendance policy, classroom expectations. 
School leadership expectations. 
● How students enter and exit the rehearsal space. 
● Where and how students sit and stand: Resting, Ready and Singing positions  
● Setting an ideal tone for singing.  
● MAKE MUSIC!!!!!!! 
● Choose accessible repertoire that guarantees student’s success and practices basic 
rehearsal procedures (Posture, good tone, dynamics, breathing, bowing, etc)   
 
 

General Rehearsal Structure: 

● Warm up connected to daily repertoire. 
● Plan how to introduce new material in an engaging/accessible way.  
● Be creative and KNOW THE SCORE! (This is not a good time to sight read). 
● Introduce or review of material in an order that benefits your rehearsal time. Are we 
learning a new song or polishing, or both?  
● Student ownership of repertoire:  
○ Example:  
■ Have students discuss song learning progress.  
■ How does the quality compare to a song they already know?  
■ Discuss song lyrics, feelings, blending, etc. 
● Close with something they know and feel great about.  
● Make it a performance. 

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*Student leadership: 
It is recommended to have students take ownership of the choral program. Doing this empowers 
your students to develop leadership skills that can be transferred into other areas of their everyday 
lives and futures. Be creative with what roles students can play in a rehearsal beyond singing. This 
may include:  
● Choral student council 
● Attendance taker 
● Folder / music librarian 
● Smartboard operator 
● Assistant conductor  
● Classroom managers 

   

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Naming Your Choir 

The name of your choir is not “select choir.” We encourage you to work with your administration 
and maybe even with your students to give a name that identifies your choir with your school. So be 
creative about this. You may use the school mascot, a theme for the year, or any name that 
everyone can identify with and be proud of. As the choir gets ready to perform at school, special 
events and possibly the ETM festival or Gala, it is good to have these things chosen and ready to 
go. Additionally, deciding what the uniform for the choir should be.  
 
Think about:  
 
❏ School Colors 
❏ School mascot 
❏ T Shirts 
❏ Choir band, stole and or robes.  
❏ School name, or personality of interest 
❏ Location in neighborhood, or any community identifier 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Repertoire
 

Choosing your repertoire 

Repertoire selection is at the core of developing a strong choral program. These music selections 
will drive the success and quality of your choir. Repertoire choices should be made with student 
prior knowledge in mind and are connected to the objectives of your daily rehearsals, concerts and 
your yearly goals. It is expected that all teachers plan their repertoire in advance and have 
thoroughly studied the score prior to rehearsals. These repertoire choices ​should be reviewed and 
approved in advanced by an ETM Instructional Supervisor​.  
 
It is important that as you choose this repertoire to remember that you will be living and breathing it 
for many weeks.Therefore, make sure you choose songs that are engaging for both the students 
and for you. LOVE THE MUSIC YOU CHOOSE! 
 
Feel free to be creative and do not feel afraid of coloring your choir pieces. For example, adding 
handbells, percussion, solos, student composition, props, choreography, skits, teacher participation, 
etc.  
 

Other considerations
When choosing repertoire a teacher can take many other considerations into account for example:  
● Concert Themes 
● Unison vs parts 
● Partner Songs 
● 2 & 3 (or more) Part Songs 
● Holidays 
● School Culture 
● Programing: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.  
 

Repertoire sources 
● ETM resource Lab 
● Online resources, example: JW Pepper,  
● Music Publications: K-8 Music, Music Express, etc.  
● ETM teacher community and Instructional Supervisors. 

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Management / Accountability 

Be consistent with your policies and procedures 

As you begin to get your choir off the ground and prepare for its debut performance, you may find 
that not all ensemble members are demonstrating choir expectations. There may ultimately be a 
student or two who needs to be removed from your ensemble because they are not contributing, not 
practicing, being uncooperative, etc., and are therefore holding everyone else back.  

To remove an ensemble member, you must show evidence of trying help that student make better 
choices and be successful. The parent/guardian has to be kept in the loop and engaged in this 
process. If needed, take action fast to get them back on track by using the letters below. Consult 
with your Instructional Supervisor before sending one of these letters and allow them to review it. 

   

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Sample Letters 
Beginning of The Year Letter​ ​Beginning of the Year Letter SPA

Choral Permission Slip​ ​Choral Permission Slip SPA

Image Release Form ENG​ ​ ​Image Release Form SPA

Courtesy Notice - Choir​ ​Courtesy Note - Choir SPA

Formal Warning - Choir​ ​Formal Warning - Choir SPA

Dismissal Notice - Choir​ ​Dismissal Notice Choir - SPA 

Checklist