Church Music

Q&A: Music Theory for Adult Choirs

Sometimes I get questions in my inbox that I think others may be wondering, too. Here’s a question I got recently about music theory resources for adult choirs.

How to Maximize Productivity in Your Choir Rehearsals

How to Maximize Productivity in Your Choir Rehearsals

A successful, productive choir rehearsal takes proper preparation, careful planning, good time management skills, and attention to detail. In this post, I’m answering your questions plus sharing a few strategic tips for maximizing productivity in your rehearsals week after week.

8 Things to Do Before Choir Starts Back

8 Things to Do Before Choir Starts Back

Ahhh, summer.

Hopefully, you have some time off this month to rest and travel, read a book (or three!) and spend time with your family.

But as you enjoy a little R&R, you’re probably thinking ahead to the fall and the beginning of the new program year.

Summer Professional Development for Church Musicians

Summer Professional Development for Church Musicians

It’s normal to feel a little burnt out after the year we’ve just had. It’s normal to feel tired or frustrated or lost. But what have you learned? What strategies will you keep? How have the events of the last year changed us as teachers, as musicians? What will we do differently going forward?

2021 Reading Session Picks: Adult Choir

2021 Reading Session Picks: Adult Choir

This year’s reading session picks include SATB, SAB, and 2-part choir anthems with piano and organ accompaniment and some with optional instrumental parts (cello, chamber orchestra, and 4-hand piano). See the list >>

8 Solo Piano Collections for Worship

8 Solo Piano Collections for Worship

This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic, churches have relied more on instrumental music in worship than choral music.

There’s been a need for more solo music vs. ensemble music and in some cases, music that can be recorded ahead of time or even recorded from home.

As any church pianist will tell you, having collections that you can pull out and play from over and over again is golden, especially at times like these when you’re providing the majority of the music in the service.

Looking for something new to play this year?

Here are eight solo piano collections to consider adding to your library.

How to Create Virtual Choir Recordings with Soundtrap

How to Create Virtual Choir Recordings with Soundtrap

There's been a lot of talk this year about virtual choirs.

For those who have the technical skills and the time (read: hours) to commit to it, virtual choir videos can be a fun and meaningful project to work on with your choir.

But for everyone else—the directors without Logic Pro X and Final Cut and hours and hours to devote to editing—is there a simpler way?

Is there a way to keep your choir singing together during this time without having to spend a lot of time and money producing fancy virtual choir videos?

The short answer: yes.

36 Children’s Choir Anthems by Women Composers

36 Children’s Choir Anthems by Women Composers

Today, I’m sharing a collection of children’s choir anthems composed by women.

After all, March is Women’s History Month and over the years, it’s also become a time to celebrate women in music.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your planning this year and seeking ways to include more diversity in the voices you share and represent, here are 36 children’s choir anthems written by women composers to help you get started.

48 Anthems by Women Composers (3-part + SATB)

48 Anthems by Women Composers (3-part + SATB)

Today, I’m sharing a collection of church choir anthems composed by women. After all, March is Women’s History Month and over the years, it’s also become a time to celebrate women in music.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your planning this year and seeking ways to include more diversity in the voices you share and represent, here are 48 titles written by women composers to help you get started.

How to Host a Virtual Christmas Party for Your Choir

How to Host a Virtual Christmas Party for Your Choir

This year, things look a little different.

The Christmas Eve service will be a little smaller, a little simpler, and maybe completely virtual, with choir members scattered and singing from their homes.

The children’s Christmas Pageant will be presented via Zoom with an array of virtual backgrounds (no really, here’s a virtual Christmas pageant kit).

And the annual choir Christmas party? Well, that’s going to be different, too.

But don’t let a global pandemic keep you from celebrating the season with your singers! You can still have a (virtual) Christmas party even if you aren’t able to gather together in person.