Best Practices for Children's Choir

Looking for ideas for your elementary or middle school choir? In this podcast episode, I'm talking with my friend and colleague Matthew Parker about best practices for children's choir!

Listen to the podcast here:



Matthew Parker received his master of music in music education with an emphasis on Kodaly From capital University. He currently teaches at Johnnycake Corners Elementary school in the Olentangy Local School District in Central Ohio. Matthew was voted as Teacher of the Year during the 2008-2009 school year. Matthew was also selected as the Columbus Symphony Elementary Music Educator of the year in 2015. During the 2012-2013 academic year, Matthew worked with, and hosted, the Emmy nominated Carpe Diem string quartet to bring an online, interactive concert series to students in several states across the nation. Matthew was a director on staff with the Columbus Children’s Choir, and has two elementary choirs at his school. As a composer, one of the songs was prepared by the Columbus Children’s Choir. As a performer, Matthew has performed with the Capital University Chapel Choir, Columbus Symphony Chorus, and the Lancaster Chorale.

In this podcast, Matthew discusses everything from choosing music to warm-ups. Here are specific notes with his suggestions:

Matt conceptualizes his choir as having three aspects:

• Performance: Formal performance opportunities, such as evening concerts
• Community: Community performance opportunities, such as performing at a community center, caroling, etc.
• Social events: Such as a pancake breakfast or movie night for choir students

Thinking of best practices for choosing music? Here is Matt's formula for choosing repertoire:

• Well-written text: purposefully and authentically written
• Excellent piano accompaniment: Make sure it's not in an odd key, not written by non-pianist. Can try out several with your piano accompanist to help decide your final repertoire.
• Extractable phrases
• Have to love it!

Here are Matt's favorite octavos:

• "Dance while the music sings to you" by Greg Gilpin
• "Seagull, Seagull" by Susan Brumfield
• "J'entends le Moulin" arr. by Dwyer and Ellis
• "The Journey" by Joseph M. Martin
• "The Moon" by Andy Beck
• "Clouds" by Andy Beck

Rounds can be a great way to improve partwork skills and add to a concert program. Here are Matt's favorite rounds:

• Frere Jacques
• Laugh, ha, ha
• The Ghost of Tom/ John
• Dona Nobis Pacem

As you are choosing music, here are arrangers and composers whose music Matt and I love:

• Ruth Dwyer
• Andy Beck
• Susan Brumfield
• Doreen Rao

When warming up your choir, try these warm-ups:

• sfmrd on "ooo"
• Follow the leader:
• Students follow the hand signs step-wise
• Students follow the teacher with hand signs, then teacher pauses and students pause with teacher
• Students follow the teacher with hand signs, and the teacher moves up and down 
• Split the choir into two groups: group 1 follows one hand sign, group 2 follows the other hand sign

As you're planning for choir, here are favorite resources from Matt and I:

• "Inside the Elementary School Chorus" by Patricia Bourne
• "Educating Young Singers" by Goetze, Boshkoff, and Broeker

I hope you have found this helpful as you plan for your children's choir rehearsals. A huge thank you to Matt for his expertise and willingness to share!