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Spinning My Wheels!: Lamentations, Reflections, and Reset Plans of a Bewildered Choir Director

never sung “classical” repertoire. If even this student, an tors of your feeder programs (if any) to follow your page
experienced musician, was misinformed about what choir and post messages for their students. Congratulate them
class was, how could I expect the sweet karaoke kids, not to on recent achievements. Invite them to school events. Get
mention students who had no previous experience in music re-posted and spread your visibility exponentially.
studies, to register for a class that seemed like it was only
filled with students who already identified as singers, who 2) Pops concerts…at the BEGINNING of the year.
were unafraid of performing, and who were all natural Leaving POPS concerts only to the end of the year misses
sight-reading aficionados? the recruitment deadline and can reinforce the idea that
It was obvious there was a perception issue, and my fo- pops concerts are the reward for the “burden” of working
cus continues to be removing choir misinformation. Becca on all of the other “serious” music throughout the year.
Searns of Haley Marketing describes the disconnect be- To strengthen our singers’ versatility and spectrum of ap-
tween perception and reality that occurs because “you have preciation, we should legitimize good pop arrangements
a mental impression of something, and it defines how you alongside other beautiful works of varied genres and time
see that something, regardless of the truth.” periods.
So what is my plan? Create new mental impressions.
Here’s my short list of five recruitment experiments I • Open the gates to the choral program by choosing rep for
plan to incorporate this upcoming school year. If you find which your current students will have immediate buy-in.
you are dealing with any nuanced versions of what I’ve Publicize your concert program before the event to stir
described above, I hope these can inspire some food for audience interest.
thought!:
• Consider including some traditional-esque choral works
1) Lean hard into social media to rebrand choir. that utilize pop/contemporary elements to introduce dif-
Design any posts that encourage engagement—both for ferent choral soundscapes within familiar contexts to new
current students but especially for prospective students. Ex- audiences.
amples:
3) Program contemporary repertoire accessible to
• Student introductions with quick bio/backstories that re- younger groups. Well-written, authentic, contemporary,
move the idea of prerequisites to singing. Posts should be especially a cappella, repertoire is impressive but often too
short, with editing inspired by TikTok or Instagram. advanced. Find rep where each line’s simplicity, layered to-
gether, results in textural excitement. This repertoire can
• Student polls. Ask questions that the student body can an- be an inclusive entry point into singing and ensemble work.
swer with no prior knowledge necessary. Vote on a piece
to be included in a concert. • Resource Recommendations: A Cappella 101 by Rob Dietz
and Teaching Music through Performance in Contemporary A Cap-
• Student clubs or athletics can compete to get the choirs pella by Marc Silverberg, J.D. Frizzell, Deke Sharon
for their events. See about gaining access to the athletic
calendar and coordinating with the athletic director or 4) Beatboxing competition/clinics. There have to be
coach. vocal percussionists in the building who don’t feel they have
a home. Recommendation from Rob Dietz/Ben Bram of
• Performance posts. Instead of full-length concerts, post A Cappella Academy: hold a beatboxing competition and/
short clips and include how to access the full concert link. or clinic as a way to access another cross-section of the
Re-post student comments in your Instragram stories. student body and welcome them to the program. If you
This celebrates the performers, highlights positive reac- are starting an a cappella group, it could be a great way to
tions, and shows gratitude for audience engagement. build excitement and your roster. If not, consider inviting
vocal percussionists for special choral cameos, which may
• Be intentional about your followership. Invite the direc- encourage future enrollment.

ChorTeach Volume 15 • Issue 3 14 Spring 2023