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Ask a Conductor
A s k a C o n d u c t o r

Exercise Humility Show Appreciation
Be humble. A positive professional relationship does not A positive and long-lasting collaboration can be bol-
begin with a sense of superiority. Take an interest in the stered by showing appreciation. Get in the habit of writing
school program, the director, and the singers. Respect and letters of appreciation to choir directors. Thank them for
recognize the positive contributions that a singer from the sharing their singers with your program. Be consistent by
school choral program brings to the community children’s making this a priority each year. Consistency will help you
choir program. It would help if you informed your school communicate and reinforce the value of the school direc-
choir director of the positive effects their singers and their tor’s contribution to the community choir.
education have on your program. In closing, take time to invest in your organization’s fu-
ture by building and maintaining relationships with your
private and public school choral directors. Embrace the
Communicate time it takes to help them feel valued and respected, as they
The cornerstone of every good relationship is open com- are the long-term investments in the future of your com-
munication. Don’t be timid! Get out into the community. munity children’s choir.
Visit your local school choir rehearsal or attend some of
their concerts. Find out what their needs are and how you
can help. This simple act reinforces the crucial fact that you
are not in the business of stealing the school director’s sing- Elizabeth B. Woodhouse
ers. Recognize and acknowledge the vital and foundational Founder and Artistic Director,
work taking place in the school choral program. Choral Collective of Newport County,
President, Rhode Island ACDA
ebw1125@gmail.com
Practice the Art of Compromise
Be flexible and make sure to compromise. Your program
will sometimes conflict with that of the school. If this oc- Throughout my eighteen-year career as a community
curs, reach out to the school director and try to resolve the youth chorus conductor, collaborating with music teach-
conflict. Offer suggestions for resolving the conflict in a way ers has been an extremely valuable way to connect with
that benefits both choirs. Be gracious and willing to accept the community, reach new singers, and amplify the power
the fact that a compromise may not be reached and that of music. A valued and meaningful partnership can begin
the first obligation of the singer is to their respective school with just a quick introductory email! Below are some col-
choir. Be careful; never put the singer in the middle of the laborations that have been successful as well as suggestions
conflict. for getting the conversation started.

• Introduce yourself! This can go both ways—let your
Celebrate local public school music teachers or your local children’s
Celebrating the achievements of your school’s choral chorus conductors know about you! Send a short email tell-
programs can be done both publicly and privately. In ad- ing them about your programs and express your interest in
dition to opening the door to a new collaboration, showing learning more about theirs. Remember, this isn’t a “pitch.”
interest and sending congratulations can strengthen an ex- Instead, this is a chance to understand more about the oth-
isting one and breathe life into a stagnant one. By doing so, er in order to create a solid foundation on which to grow.
your colleagues will know that you appreciate their efforts. Getting the conversation started is a great first step.
This can improve the quality of your relationship and cre-
ate a supportive atmosphere. • Visit. Invite local teachers or community youth chorus
conductors to visit your chorus and work with your groups
in preparation for a festival or concert or just as a way to
provide a new perspective to the rehearsal process. This is a

ChorTeach Volume 15 • Issue 1 6 Fall 2022