ChorTeach Index Spotlight: Church Choir

ChorTeach is ACDA’s quarterly publication for choral conductors and teachers at all levels. It is published online, and each issue contains four practical articles. If you are not already a member of ACDA, you can join as an Associate for $45 per year and receive access to ChorTeach and the Choral Journal online.

Last year I created an annotated ChorTeach index (found here) with seventeen categories for classification. A sample of the articles found in the “Church Choir” category are below. To find any of these articles, click here and use the dropdown menu.
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“Church Choir Directors/Organists: Conducting Gesture and Active Listening in Rehearsals and Worship” by Jason Thomas; Vol 4. Issue 3, Spring 2012
This article focuses on two dilemmas—conducting gesture and listening—and offers suggestions for ways to improve while growing your church choir as singers and musicians.

“Coping with Stress in the Music Ministry” by Paul A. Aitken; Vol 5. Issue 3, Spring 2013
This article shares ideas for how to cope with the stress many of us face as a church musician.

“Creativity in Music and Worship Planning: Be Not Afraid” by James Seay; Vol 8. Issue 2, Winter 2016
This article presents a creative idea for a worship series that employs musical theater to highlight topics the pastor unpacks in worship.

“Global Music in Christian Worship” by Jeff Clouser; Vol 9. Issue 1, Fall 2016
This article suggests that including global music in worship services is one way to learn how people all over the world worship God and provides suggestions for repertoire, style, and songbooks from around the world.

“Preparing for Success with the Adult Choirs at Your Church” by Aaron Jackson; Vol 9. Issue 4, Summer 2017.
Learn keys to being professional, productive, and proficient as the conductor of an adult choir with the tips shared in this article, including a helpful list of recommended resources.

“Starting a Youth Choir in Your Church” by Michael Zemek; Vol 7. Issue 1, Fall 2014
This article discusses the “unique issues surrounding adolescents singing in worship settings” and offers strategies for forming the choir, choosing music, organization, and leadership.

“What Are Your Church Choir Members Thinking?” by Diane Hires; Vol 6. Issue 2, Winter 2014
This article offers a plan for how to shape musical offerings by asking for constructive feedback from choir members and the congregation. A list of sample questions is provided.

“Worship Music Wars Can and Should Be Avoided” by David K. Lamb; Vol 5. Issue 2, Winter 2013
This article talks about music in a worship service and how to handle the difficulties that can arise when the opinions and personal preferences of what and how to sing is different within the choir.

“‘Choir Lite’—Less Time, Just as Fulfilling” by Lee G. Barrow; Vol 1. Issue 2, Winter 2009
This article explains how to encourage participation in your church choir with a “choir lite” approach—a commitment of six weeks for new members that will lead to more singers on a long-term basis.

“It is Time for Sowing! Planting and Growing Your Musical Garden” by Bryan Taylor; Vol 1. Issue 4, Summer 2009
Making exciting music takes planning, prayer, and proper skill. This article lists musical “seeds” that will help you reap a crop of musical fruit with your church choir.
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Find these (and more!) ChorTeach articles here.