The Most Important Summer Prep for Choir Directors Isn’t Repertoire

Summer is one of the few times of the year when choir directors have the opportunity to step back and work on their programs instead of simply working in them.

Unfortunately, many directors spend the summer focused on the wrong things.

They obsess over repertoire.

They build endless to-do lists.

They search for the perfect warm-up.

They plan concerts months in advance.

Those things matter.

But before you focus on any of them, ask yourself one question:

Does this align with my mission?

If your mission is unclear, every decision becomes harder.

You may choose great repertoire, but does it support your larger goals?

You may create new policies, but do they create the culture you want?

You may develop student leaders, but are they helping move your program toward its purpose?

A successful choral program is not built through random improvements.

It is built when every decision aligns with a clear mission.

That’s why I encourage choir directors to conduct a summer audit of their program.

Here are some of the areas I encourage directors to review:

1. Mission Statement

Do you have one?

If so, does it still reflect who you are and who your students are?

Does it excite you?

Does it guide your decisions?

Would your students recognize it in action?

If you do not have a mission statement, this should be your first priority.

2. Guidelines, Expectations, and Procedures

Your classroom procedures should not exist simply because they are common practice.

They should exist because they help create the environment your mission requires.

Review your:

  • Entry procedures
  • Attendance procedures
  • Seating procedures
  • Rehearsal expectations
  • Performance expectations

 

Ask yourself:

Do these support my mission?

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3. Handbook

Many handbooks become collections of rules and policies.

Instead, your handbook should communicate culture.

Review every page and ask:

  • Does the language reflect my mission?
  • Is it positive and productive?
  • Does it create buy-in?
  • Does it support the procedures I actually use?

4. Classroom Structure

What happens during the first five minutes of rehearsal?

What happens during the last five minutes?

Where is engagement strongest?

Where is time being wasted?

Your rehearsal structure should intentionally support your mission.

5. Student Buy-In

Many directors ask:

“How do I get students to care?”

A better question is:

“Why would students want to be part of my program?”

Think about:

  • Why students stay
  • Why students leave
  • Why students recruit friends
  • Why they don’t

Student buy-in is not accidental.

It is built intentionally.

6. Student Leadership

Strong student leadership can transform a program.

But leadership does not begin with officer titles.

It begins with:

  • A clear mission
  • Clear rehearsal flow
  • Meaningful skills being developed
  • Student buy-in

Ask yourself:

  • What responsibilities could students own?
  • What am I still doing that students could do?
  • How am I developing future leaders?

7. Vocal Technique

Are you teaching singers or simply rehearsing music?

Do you have clear vocal priorities?

Do students develop skills in a logical progression?

Vocal technique should support your mission just as much as any other area of your program.

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8. Matching Pitch and Music Literacy

Do you have a system for helping struggling singers?

Do you know exactly which literacy skills students should master?

Are students becoming independent musicians?

These skills should be intentionally developed rather than left to chance.

9. Traditions, Grading, Recruitment, and Retention

Many directors never stop to evaluate these areas.

Ask:

  • Do my traditions support my mission?
  • Does my grading system encourage growth?
  • Do my recruitment efforts align with my mission?
  • Why do students continue returning year after year?

10. Repertoire

This may surprise you:

Repertoire is not the most important decision you make.

The question is not:

“Did I choose the perfect repertoire?”

The question is:

“Does this repertoire support my mission?”

Almost any quality piece can work.

Repertoire should support your mission, not become your mission.

11. Calendar and Work-Life Balance

Review every major commitment.

Ask:

  • Does this event support my mission?
  • What can be simplified?
  • What can students own?
  • What can I stop doing?

A successful program should become more sustainable over time.

Not more exhausting.

Your Summer Challenge

If next year’s program looked exactly like this year’s program, would you be excited?

If the answer is no, now is the time to make changes.

Choose one or two areas that deserve your attention this summer and begin there.

Start with your mission.

Everything else becomes clearer from there.

Download the Free Checklist

To help you conduct your own summer audit, I’ve created a free resource:

Does This Align With My Mission? HS/MS Summer Choral Program Audit Checklist

The checklist walks you through each area discussed above and helps you identify opportunities for growth before the school year begins.

Download Free Checklist Here!

Join the Choral Clarity Collective

If you’re looking for support, ideas, and a community of choir directors working through these same challenges, I’d love to invite you to join the Choral Clarity Collective.

Inside you’ll find free resources, discussions, live events, and support from fellow middle school and high school choir directors who are working to build stronger programs, increase student buy-in, improve singing, and create a healthier work-life balance.

Join the Choral Clarity Collective for Free: