🍀🎶 4 Creative Ideas for Your Choirs in March

Teachers know that March signals the start of spring fever and the countdown to summer break! Even my best behaved, eager singers start to get squirrely as soon as temperatures warm up. I’m always looking for ways to focus my choirs, while adding a little bit of fun along the way.

My best advice to choir teachers is to vary activities and be sure to add the FUN everyday! Here are four “dynamic” ideas tailored for Middle School and High School Choirs throughout March.

1- Irish Themed Listening Examples for March🍀

I am a big fan of showcasing fantastic YouTube choral/vocal videos in my classroom. We have an entire world of choral music at our fingertips, so let’s use it for good! Below are several Irish themed choral performances to enjoy.

Celtic Woman

You Raise Me Up- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfwlj0gba_k

Scarborough Fair- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBBpnvYEDSA

Danny Boy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DquA6KyHTos

Celtic Thunder

An Irish Blessing- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtR9qoISPU

Belfast Polka- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLUuELMzno

Amazing Grace- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qni5bIN5qmU

Miscellaneous Irish Choirs

The boys of St Brendan’s College in Killarney- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDWWb0u0AkE

Britain's Got Talent: St Patrick's Junior Choir Show off Their Powerful Voices- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2-6kMc95Z8

2- Energizing Brain Break Games 🧠🎲

St. Patrick’s Day Fast Talker Game- I love these themed fast talker games because they require no preparation, my students can get out of their seats (in an organized fashion) and it's fun! Not to mention they require the students to use those critical thinking skills without even knowing it! I use them with both middle school and high school classes! Looking for more brain breaks? Check out https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Savvy-Ellie-Music for more fun, low/no prep games!

3- Choir Pot of Gold Decoration 🌈🎤

Create a "Choir Pot of Gold" bulletin board or door decoration. Use construction paper, crepe paper or draw a rainbow with bright markers. Each student can contribute a gold coin (cut out of yellow paper) with a musical goal or achievement they'd like to reach by the end of the school year. It's a visual representation of their musical journey and can serve as motivation for the remainder of the school year, plus add a little color to your room!

4- Irish Vocal Solo Projects 🎤🍀

Give students the choice of a few well-known Irish songs such as An Irish Blessing, Danny Boy or Molly Malone and have students prepare the solos. Songs could be incorporated into the daily vocal warm up routine or could be assigned as a vocal solo project. If your students have access to devices, they could research the song’s origin, discuss the meaning of the text and/or find a few versions of it on YouTube and rate the performances like a judge. Check out my FREE “You Be the Judge” worksheet, a free Music Performance Critique Worksheet for Choirs.

Motivating students in March doesn’t have to be boring. By adding variety to your choir rehearsal, students can look forward to coming to class each day.

Happy singing! 🎵🌈