🎶Last Week of Choir Tasks to Prepare for Next Fall
As the school year winds down, thinking about next fall might seem overwhelming. Trust me, spending a little time now preparing will save you a lot of stress when the new school year begins. Your summer break is your time to relax and recharge, not worry about school tasks. Let me help!
🗂️ Top Beginning-of-the-Year Choir Tasks
What are the tasks that you find most daunting at the start of the school year? For me, it’s always been picking literature and organizing music/choir folders. Tackling these now can make a huge difference.
📝 I recently shared tips on planning smarter, not harder when picking choral literature. (Missed it? Read it here.)
So, here’s what I do. I choose at least one song from my school’s music library that will work for my choir in the fall. Then, I put together next year’s music folders with the following items:
✏️ A sharpened pencil
⭐ The Star-Spangled Banner- (I like everyone to know this song for potential athletic event performances.)
🎓 School Alma Mater (We learn for Homecoming Week festivities.)
🎤One fall concert song that’s easy to learn. We want students to have a sense of accomplishment. Once school starts and I’ve had time to fully assess my choirs, I choose the rest of the concert music.
🗒️ A Music “Cheat Sheet” Fast Folder Facts Worksheet (A handy reference throughout the year)
📆 Calendar of Choral Events because it is important to give them the concert dates many times.
👩🎓 Student Involvement in End-of-Year Tasks
Students are often eager to help, and those who aren’t can usually be persuaded.😉 Here are some tasks you can assign your choir members for the last week of school.
Clean out folder cabinets
File away this year’s music
Number copies of next year’s music
Stuff folders
Sharpen pencils
Clean white board
Take down bulletin boards and wall decor
Pack up classroom items
Assessment and organize choir robes/attire
Write welcome notes to incoming choir members
🎭 Need Fun End-of-Year Activities?
Sometimes teachers need to keep the students “busy” so they can organize/pack up at the end of the year. Here are two of my favorite things to keep students occupied over the course of several days.
About 10 years ago, I started this tradition at the high school. I assign my choirs to groups of 5-7 students, give them a large paper grocery bag of a few random items and tell them to write a short One-Act Musical to perform for the class. The kids have to incorporate the random objects and choose at least 3 songs (pre-existing or original). It’s a 5-day project that keeps everyone engaged and creatively involved. The students love to perform for each other and it’s a great way to end out the year!
Check out the Compose Your Own One-Act Musical Project
Twice a year, just before winter and summer breaks, I show musicals to my choir classes. It’s a great way to expose students to the genre and it is a perfect sub plan if you need to take those personal days. For classes that need to stay a bit more focused, I use this Musical Movie Worksheet to keep them engaged. PS- My student's favorite musicals to watch are "Newsies" and "Shrek, the Musical".
🌞 By tackling these end-of-year tasks now, you’re setting yourself and your choir up for a successful and stress-free start next fall. Your summer break is precious - use it to relax, knowing you’re already prepared for the new school year!
🎤 Happy Singing!
