tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post1466632692193721259..comments2024-03-25T18:30:16.490-04:00Comments on Organized Chaos: Elementary Choir Rehearsal ProceduresElizabeth Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042281726294433770noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-12078069925484520482021-03-14T04:54:36.833-04:002021-03-14T04:54:36.833-04:00I've been able to advocate for having my class...I've been able to advocate for having my class first thing in the morning, or with enough time before, so I can set up chairs. I wonder if you could figure out a system- setting out stacks of chairs at the end of where each row would be, etc- so you could start the process and then either have students pull out their individual chair or, better, have a few "leaders" come a few minutes early to finish setting up? I've done that before and it works well. I just don't like the idea of 62 kids trying to move chairs at the same time!<br /><br />I do not do any formal individual checking, but I walk through the crowd while they're singing a lot. Any individual evaluation I do, though, is more for considering potential changes to seating arrangements to improve their performance- I don't grade them on individual singing ability or anything like that. <br /><br />What I do do though, with my 5th and 6th grade choir (I also have one for 3rd and 4th), is an audition at the beginning of every semester. I tell them outright my 2 purposes are to a) make sure you're serious and motivated and b) find out your vocal range. I have them sing the beginning of the US national anthem in small groups so I can hear them sing and get a sense of who should be on which part and who my strongest singers are so I can place them strategically.<br /><br />And please feel free to ask questions any time, no need to apologize! I hope this is helpful :)Elizabeth Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12042281726294433770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-25386761199788240022021-03-14T01:30:59.854-05:002021-03-14T01:30:59.854-05:00Do you set up the seating before they come in or d...Do you set up the seating before they come in or do you suggest them grabbing a chair and going to their spot? I have 62 students and I don't think I would have time from my last class to the lunch bell to set up the chairs - or do you make them stand for every rehearsal ( I fear I will lose a lot of them if it is too strict and tiring).<br /><br />Do you individually check their range, weaknesses and strengths, ability to harmonise, or stay on a note?<br /><br />Ugh, sorry, you have already been so helpful and amazing!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06274496843466854932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-77330979500035873862019-11-22T05:14:55.264-05:002019-11-22T05:14:55.264-05:00It's a combination of a lot of things. I focus...It's a combination of a lot of things. I focus heavily on consistency of expectations and relationship building in all of my classes, so I have that foundation. And I do truly make them go stand off to the side or go back out and try coming in again if they even whisper one word, especially at the beginning of rehearsal. I will give the stink eye or something sometimes for one little thing in the middle of rehearsal but beyond that they sit out. And I do have a 3-strike system the students and families agree to when they sign up stating that if I have to send home 3 "behavior slips" in a semester they can no longer participate for the rest of that term. A big part of it is also just keeping a super fast pacing. There is something for them to do literally from the moment they walk in the door until they leave. I have silent hand signals for standing up, sitting down, and sitting up so I give any directions etc while giving the signal. If there's any noise while they're moving a stop and practice having them stand/sit silently on cue. You can read more about all of my behavior management strategies in general in this post (copy and paste the link): https://caldwellorganizedchaos.blogspot.com/2016/05/teacher-tuesday-behavior-management.htmlElizabeth Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12042281726294433770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-82772906275347229572019-11-22T01:52:16.766-05:002019-11-22T01:52:16.766-05:00Thank you for the information. I've been teac...Thank you for the information. I've been teaching choirs of all ages for over 25 years, and I have to ask you ... how do you get them not to talk?? What is your classroom management plan? Do you have a 3-strikes thing or something? Thanks for any detail you want to share. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01454924435388462493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-34653308048705832782018-04-21T05:11:28.229-04:002018-04-21T05:11:28.229-04:00Thanks so much for your comment- I'm so glad y...Thanks so much for your comment- I'm so glad you found some helpful ideas here! The no talking rule has definitely worked well for me, and it makes it so much easier to enforce :)Elizabeth Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12042281726294433770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-85343644198073428542018-04-18T07:21:21.731-04:002018-04-18T07:21:21.731-04:00Thank you so much for this! There are some really ...Thank you so much for this! There are some really great ideas that I had not thought of and cannot wait until next year so I can implement them. Especially the no talking voice thing. We have a major talking problem and I think that would help. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16239232486442445232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-1296921138772775192018-01-06T11:12:58.672-05:002018-01-06T11:12:58.672-05:00Of course what is "ideal" totally depend...Of course what is "ideal" totally depends on so many factors, but I typically do 3 songs- I have done 2 a couple of times and 4 several times. I always start with 3 in mind and adjust as I go as needed. I really believe in quality over quantity- my focus is always on creating the best learning opportunity for the students. Sometimes that means cutting a song or adding a song, and sometimes that means adjusting the songs I have to make them easier or harder. I wrote a couple of blog posts on those topics recently, actually. <br /><a title="Here" href="http://caldwellorganizedchaos.blogspot.com/2017/11/6-ways-to-add-challenge-to-music-for.html" rel="nofollow">Here</a><br />'s the one with ways to make a song more challenging, and <a title="here" href="http://caldwellorganizedchaos.blogspot.com/2017/11/6-ways-to-simplify-music-for-young.html" rel="nofollow">here</a><br />'s the one with ways to simplify a song: Elizabeth Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12042281726294433770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-89333415296069659032018-01-05T10:18:48.666-05:002018-01-05T10:18:48.666-05:00Yay this is great thank you!! I have one last ques...Yay this is great thank you!! I have one last question for you: how many songs do you typically put on a concert? We get about 15 rehearsals per semester and 3 songs is my average but I'm always wanting to do more but worried that we won't have time.Christina S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05891804446365282101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-43145222963787203712017-12-11T04:49:42.497-05:002017-12-11T04:49:42.497-05:00I'm so glad you found my post helpful :) I'...I'm so glad you found my post helpful :) I'll answer your questions below, and I'll definitely keep your suggestions in mind for future posts!<br />1. I have 2 choirs: a 3/4 grade and a 5/6 grade. It varies from year to year but on average I have between 35-50 in each group. I've had years at my current school with up to 65 in a group, and in previous schools I've had choirs of up to 95.<br />2. My rehearsals at my current school are 30 minutes during the school day. Very short! In previous schools I've usually had 45 minute rehearsals, whether during the day or after school.<br />3. I use one of these templates: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Seating-Chart-Set-Music-1350295<br />4. The 5/6 choir is auditioned, and the 3/4 choir is open to anyone who signs up.<br />5. I have concerts twice a year (one in December, another in May)<br />6. No.<br /><br />I hope this information helps, and keep an eye out for future posts on your suggestions :)Elizabeth Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12042281726294433770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819722186267743707.post-46260090761461889342017-12-10T18:55:52.452-05:002017-12-10T18:55:52.452-05:00Thank you for this post!! This is just what I was ...Thank you for this post!! This is just what I was looking for! I have a couple questions!!<br /> <br />1. How many students do you have in your choirs? <br />2. How long are your rehearsals?<br /><br />Also, <br />3. How do you show/make the seating chart? <br />4. Do you audition your choirs or are students allowed to just sign up and come? <br />5. How often do you have concerts? <br />6. Do you ever break into small ensembles?<br /><br />I come from a secondary band world and while I've been in many choirs over the years, I'm new to the upper elementary after school choir party! I would love to see some posts on organization and communication with parents, folders/music copies vs. teaching by rote or with a copy projected on the board, scheduling concerts and rehearsals, morning vs. afternoon practices, and more! Thank you!!Christina S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05891804446365282101noreply@blogger.com