You’ve heard the old joke.
Q: What are the best three things about teaching?
A: June, July, and August. (of course, it’s not true)
Now here it is . . . It’s summer. You have finished what was by any measure an academic year filled with joys and tears, success and maybe even a bump in the road. You’ll take a break, drink some lemonade in the shade, you’ll travel, you’ll play with the dog, you’ll catch your breath.
Then it will happen.
That little voice in the back of your head will nag you to complete your repertoire selections for next season. Here are a few brief ideas from James D. Niblock’s article, “Repertoire Research Strategies” (Choral Cues, Winter, 2008. To read the full text on ChorTeach, click the article title).
[1] Search various places for literature; publishers, multiple websites, Youtube, friends, concerts, recording. Don’t stick with any single source.
[2] Pick composers you love and explore music from their oeuvre that you haven’t yet done.
[3] Remember what actually works for YOUR ensemble.
[4] Recommended websites:
Now start thinking. But first, pour another lemonade.
(To access the full article, simply click the highlighted title. For additional articles on a dazzling array of choral topics, visit ChorTeach.)
Marie Grass Amenta says