A Novice's Guide to Directing the Church Choir

"They've asked me to direct the choir but I don't really know what I'm doing."

"I'm the new pastor here and I'd like to help the choir. Nothing musical is happening right now. How can we get something going?"

"They heard I played clarinet and figured I knew something about music, so I should lead the choir. Can you help?"

"My husband took a call as pastor to this congregation, and now I'm expected to lead the choir. I've only sung in choirs and now I'm the director. What do I do?"

Real solutions for real situations can be found in this helpful resource. Understanding your singers as ordinary people is critically important. Learn how to achieve a basic choral sound, and to effectively conduct your volunteer ensemble, and to utilize an accompanist. Countless resources are available for music literature and a list of professional and denominational organizations are listed to assist you in your ministry endeavors. Dr. Kenneth T. Kosche, Professor of Music emeritus of Concordia University Wisconsin, served as director of choral activities at the university and has been a lifelong parish musician.