Beating the Winter Blahs: How to Get Your Choir Excited to Sing🎶
Today feels like January 42nd, and if you're a music teacher, you probably know the feeling. One Polar Vortex, an E-Learning day, students coming and going with illnesses and a concert looming in under two weeks. (Insert crying here.)
I know you feel it, too! So how do you motivate your choir students (and yourself) to beat the Winter Blahs? First and foremost, don’t let them see you sweat. Teachers are great actors. Sometimes you have to put on a happy face. Maintaining enthusiasm, even when you don’t feel like it, will motivate your students to work hard.
Here are three ideas for getting your students excited to sing when they are feeling the “Winter Blahs”.
1. Fun Warm-Ups, Games & Activities 🎉
When your students need a brain break or a pick me up, incorporate a fun vocal warm up, game or activity. When I need to get my mind off of cold weather, I bring a beach ball to class. Practice scales by changing notes every time someone hits the ball. Wanna go crazy?!? Bring two balls and divide up the class!
Try incorporating “Fun Warm-up Friday”. If you just can’t plan one more thing, let the kids recommend their favorite warm-up. It’s like they are doing the lesson planning for me. My students love to sing “Haida” and “B-A-Bay”. Add some silly physical movements and you’ve got yourself a good time.
My choirs enjoy “Watch It Wednesday” where we find an inspiring or unusual choral piece or music video to watch the last 5-10 minutes of class. I love the “OK Go” videos, especially “This Too Shall Pass”. Need more filler? Watch the behind the scenes video, too.
Sometimes you just need to take a break and play a good old fashioned game. My students love to play “powerball”, where I throw a ball to students and they answer a question of my choice. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy? If you could go an all-expense paid vacation, where would you go?
My choirs are also big fans of playing Sing or Dare.
2. Set the Ambiance 🌟
I’m definitely not the kind of teacher that changes up bulletin boards mid-year, but if you are that kind of teacher, consider asking students to help design a “Winter” (or Spring?) themed bulletin board. Maybe your students could each make a snowflake or flower with their favorite song written on it.
I’m more of a soft lighting kind of girl so when I get tired of the bright overhead fluorescent lighting, I string white Christmas lights around the room and bring in a few lamps. If it is a particularly cold day, I love to play YouTube ambiance videos in the background. I enjoy the “coffee shop ambiance” and even a good old crackly fireplace.
When rehearsal feels stale, try switching up the seating. Sit in a circle or square around the room or around the piano. Try walking in a circle while singing a memorized song. Move your rehearsal to the auditorium for a change of pace. Even a piece of candy can brighten the mood.
3. Social Events for Choir Community Building 🎉
My choir council, an elected group of student officers, are in charge of adding “fun”. In fact, our choir vice-president is fondly called the “VP of Fun”! Adding social events is an easy way to sprinkle in the fun and can create an inclusive community for all. Some of my favorite ideas include hosting a Potluck Picnic at lunch or a movie night in the choir room. Organize an in-class choir talent show or host a coffee/hot chocolate open mic night. Invite students to eat dinner at McDonalds or sing the National Anthem at a school basketball game. Organized choir social events help strengthen the bonds outside of rehearsals and help make everyone feel included.
Mid-year struggles are real for both students and teachers. However, a shift in mindset, a variety in routines, and a sprinkle of fun not only brightens the day but also aids in recruiting and retaining students in your choral program.
Happy Singing! 🎤
Melanie
