From August or September until May or June, choir and ensemble members of all ages gather in communities across the country week after week. They sing, they smile, they learn, but most of all, they give their time to be part of something bigger than themselves.
It’s a commitment, and often one that includes the whole family. This alone is something worth acknowledging and celebrating.
But then there’s the wonderful work that you do together throughout the year—the music you learn, the songs you sing, the services and programs and concerts you present, the community you build.
Here are five ways to celebrate the end of another wonderful year and show your appreciation for your choir and ensemble members this spring.
1 | Potluck/Picnic
Invite families to gather in the parking lot, at a nearby park, or in someone’s backyard for an informal potluck supper or picnic. Ask each family to bring a dish to share—macaroni and cheese, broccoli salad, potato salad, fresh fruit, veggies and dip, pulled pork sliders, deviled eggs, etc. You can divide this up by last name:
A-G: Bring a main dish
H-R: Bring a side dish
S-Z: Bring a dessert
Plan a few fun activities for the kids—water balloon games, chalk, hula hooping contest, sack race, bubbles, etc., and set up some outdoor sound equipment so you can have music playing (live music is even better if you have people who can do it!).
This is a fun way to bring everyone together, express your gratitude and appreciation for your ensemble members, acknowledge the work you’ve done together, and celebrate the start of summer.
2 | Favorites Night
Use your last rehearsal of the year to read through everyone’s favorites from the year. Pull out music you’ve sung or played during the last year and have ensemble members vote for their favorites. Make your own “Top 10” list as a group (you could even consider turning this into a year-end program or informal concert).
For elementary groups and children’s choirs, provide them with a list of five musical games and have them vote for their favorites. Then, plan your rehearsal time based on everyone’s favorite songs, pieces, games, and other activities.
End your rehearsal time with an ice cream sundae party (for kids) or a few desserts to share (for adults).
3 | Community Service Project
The end of the school/choir year is a wonderful time to do a community service project together.
Use your regular rehearsal time to serve dinner in a local soup kitchen (and maybe perform a few things for the guests!) or make sandwiches for a summer lunch program. Pick a Saturday early in the summer to do an outdoor project for Habitat for Humanity or yard work for a community organization.
Throw a birthday party for homeless children at a local family shelter, host a community yard sale to benefit a local charity, or put on a short musical program with guest musicians and perhaps other people from your community to benefit an organization in need.
4 | Member Appreciation Night
Host a special evening event to celebrate your hard-working choir or ensemble members and all that they do. This might be the members of your adult choir or all your choir teachers and leaders (or both!). Have a catered dinner, a few door prizes, and a special take-home gift for each person (a handwritten thank-you note would be a lovely addition!).
Choose a theme to help guide your decisions for food, decorations, and gifts.
Here are some ideas:
Italian Night (pizza bar, red-checked tablecloths, Frank Sinatra playlist, biscotti)
Murder Mystery (Clue-themed, magnifying glasses, detective notebooks)
Oscars/red carpet (dressy attire, awards/speeches, music, dinner)
Around the World (tapas, flag decor, music in different languages)
Taylor Swift Eras Tour (friendship bracelets, TS music, rainbow decor)
Decades Party (50s sock hop, 70s disco, 90s throwback, etc.)
Broadway Night (centerpieces named after shows, show tunes, Playbill-style programs)
"A Night at the Museum" (celebrating art, music, science—classy + nerdy in the best way)
Camp Choir (s’mores bar, acoustic sing-along, awards on wood slices)
Garden Party (fresh flowers, string lights, lemon bars and sparkling lemonade)
Black & White Ball (sophisticated, everyone dresses in black/white)
"Thank You for the Music" (ABBA theme—glitter, 70s glam, karaoke)
The Great Choir Bake-Off (fun potluck twist, judging cards, gingham tablecloths)
Soundtrack of Our Year (play audio clips from concerts or rehearsals, themed gifts)
Be sure to look on Pinterest, too—there are tons of ideas, free printables, etc.
Plan a few special awards to hand out—things such as: Amazing Artist, the Steady Beat Award (most reliable or consistent member of the group), Most Creative, Best Listener, Most Likely to Improvise, etc.
5 | Community Performances
Find creative venues where you can perform—either as a full ensemble or in small groups.
Think:
Pop-up concerts in the park
Performances in the Food Court at the mall
A lunchtime concert at City Hall
Intimate performances at a local coffee shop, cafe, or restaurant
A concert in the town gazebo or on the green
A Sunday afternoon program at your local library
A Saturday morning performance at your local farmer’s market
An evening program at your local art museum or arts center
A cul-de-sac performance in your neighborhood
A side-by-side concert with another school or community group
Prepare a short program (3-4 pieces) and think about ways to connect with and engage the audience. What can you tell them about the music or the composer? What’s unique about the piece? Connect it to something they know whenever possible.
I’d love to hear from you:
Do you do something special at the end of the school/choir year? How do you celebrate?
