Raising
the Bar

You need to define your musical style, sound and identity in order to attract an audience and vocal talent when launching your choir.

Setting up a choir committee can be a key part of this. This will enable you to assign different organisational roles to people with the appropriate skills who can steer the direction of your group.

With this committee set up, you can answer other important questions including where you will rehearse/perform, who will be your members/performers, what equipment you need, how will you promote your venture and more.

Still, it can be a challenge to establish a successful choir from scratch.

Some important things to consider:

• Repertoire

  Choosing the right repertoire is vital. Make sure it is enjoyable for your choir to sing and perform.

• Social

  Add a social element and create a community around your choir.

• Practice

  Ensure that there are regular practices (and that they start and finish on time).

• Fun!

  Make it as fun as possible!

Practice makes perfect when it comes to refining the performance of your repertoire.

However, before you begin asking your choir members to start singing as part of a rehearsal, they need to warm up. The best ways to approach this can depend on the abilities of your choir members and other factors such as how long they have been singing together and how comfortable they are with the songs.

The song choice of a choir is important as this is what defines its musical identity.

Consider simple songs where you can provide an interesting accompaniment and always aim to keep the music within the limits of the choir’s capabilities.

Choosing interesting repertoire will not only establish the identity of a choir but help attract an audience and build a following. Choir leaders should also ensure that singers can input into the process behind choosing repertoire and songs so they feel like their voices are being heard as part of the group. Creating and continually updating a Spotify list of potential songs to include in your choir’s repertoire can be an effective way of managing this.

Obtaining an Amateur Choir Licence is part of this too – this allows choir members to legally make photocopies of works and also permits minor arrangements (e.g. change of key) to suit the voices of the choir.

Taking a step out of the practice room and onto the main stage can be a huge moment for a fledgling choir. Doing so can offer challenges for those unused to performing in front of an audience. Yet, when this does go well, the rewards far surpass any anxieties or doubts that choir members may have.

Although the main sound of a choir is made up of voices, you will likely need some forms of music technology and equipment to help you.

There is no doubt that choirs gel quicker and better if they have something to work towards.

Whether singing in an assembly, a full-blown concert or busking for charity, an upcoming performance can really provide energy and focus.

Make sure the goals of your choir are achievable/realistic. If they aren’t, then this can also negatively impact your group’s morale. An essential for all community choirs is to have fun. This is just as important as music itself.

Organising a choir will mean sharing music with the various members of the choir.

The best way to do this legally is through our Amateur Choir Licence. This allows choir members to make photocopies of works and also permits minor arrangements (e.g. change of key) to suit the voices of the choir.

The licence is a legal way of making access to music easier for choirs, enabling them to make copies without having to seek permission directly from the publishers.