It’s that time of year again. Time to PLAN FOR THE CONCERT!!! Whether you teach chorus, band, or general music, there are some tips that any music teacher can follow to ensure success! Here are some tips for planning MEMORABLE school concerts that students, parents, and administrators will love!
1. Choose Concert Rep CAREFULLY
When it comes to planning a concert of any kind, your ability to plan ahead will absolutely determine your success. There are many factors that go into choosing repertoire, ALL of which are essential and need to be considered. Here is my list:
- Is this repertoire manageable at my group’s skill level (technique, reading ability, experience etc.)?
- Is this repertoire age-appropriate?
- Is there a good variety of MUSICAL ELEMENTS (meters, tonalities, tempos, dynamics, languages (if applicable), etc.?
- Is there a balance of OLD and NEW pieces?
- Have I included AT LEAST one piece that the audience will know?
For more on this, I wrote another post about things to consider when choosing repertoire. It is for middle school chorus, but it could help music teachers of any kind.
2. Make a Rehearsal Schedule FOR YOU!
This schedule should be in ADDITION to any kind of rehearsal schedule you give the kids. The schedule you make for yourself should include a plan of not only the when/where you are going to rehearse, but also WHAT section of WHICH pieces you will be working on in each rehearsal. Plan this out so you know that you will have enough time before the concert to teach all of the music.
3. Plan to be ready for the concert in advance.
Plan to be ready in advance. You won’t be, but plan for it anyway. Something ALWAYS comes up; the flu goes around, snow wipes out a few days of school, etc. You don’t want to be in a situation where you have to cut songs at the last minute or have to have an emergency rehearsal because there is not enough time to finish rehearsing. If you plan for this, you will have one less thing to worry about!
4. Make a check-list of all the non-musical things you have to accomplish BEFORE the concert.
There is an ENORMOUS amount of unseen work that goes into having a concert. Make yourself a check-list of the non-musical things you have to get done so that you know you don’t find yourself panicking the day of the concert. This list might include (but is not limited to):
- Reserving a rehearsal space.
- Reserving a concert space.
- Adding the concert to the school calendar.
- Permission slips for rehearsals.
- Permission slips for the concert.
- Reminder slips for the concert.
- Dress-code or costume notice.
- Distributing costumes of uniforms.
- Copying music.
- Distributing music.
- Advertising for the concert.
- Reserving microphones/sound system.
- Checking/Rehearsing with microphones/sound system.
- Coordinating “lighting” set up.
- Setting up stage for risers, stands, instruments, etc.
- Typing programs.
- Printing programs.
- Distributing/coordinating the distribution of programs.
- Coordinating any “tuning” that needs to happen before the concert.
- Any “decoration” of the concert space.
- Any “script” for between songs and assigning speakers.
- Coordinating/Hiring a Video/Audio recorder for the concert.
- Coordinating/Hiring bussing (if off-site.)
- Coordinating/assisting with take-down of equipment.
This list is different in any school – and many of these responsibilities are sometimes shared between teachers, admin, or even parents. It is WONDERFUL to be in a school where you have lots of help, but ultimately you must make sure all of these things are accounted for.
Thanks for Reading!
Did I miss anything that a new teacher should know when planning a concert? Let me know in the comments
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