40 Ways to Improve Choir Ensemble and Individual Motivation

• Posted by Frank Eychaner July 7, 2013 - Filed in Other - 6,743 views

      

  • Praise in Public for legitimate accomplishment, don’t pander.
  • Create challenging but attainable goals; short term, mid-term and long term.
  • Take trips to both destinations and festivals, combined trips are best
  • Schedule concerts and performances, 3+ per term, this is especially for beginning groups
  • Have unified concert attire
  • Find literature that is challenging, but compelling for students
  • Do literature you love and are passionate about from all genres.  Students will be motivated if you are. 
  • Provide solo opportunities, individually and in the ensemble
  • Prepare students to audition for all-state and honor groups
  • Find ways for students to be ‘indispensible’ to the program.  Tell them why they matter and give them responsibilities that add value to the group.
  • Commend attitudes and actions that are in line with your philosophy
  • Don’t tolerate actions that degrade the quality of the musical experience for others.
  • Create opportunities for students to lead and grow
  • Really listen when students talk to you.  Become aware of their lives, families and interests.  Seek to understand without defending yourself or your actions.  Agree with and affirm everything you can from their input.
  • Inquire about non-musical issues of interest to the choristers
  • Acknowledge the student’s musical and non-musical gifts and recognize their potential to succeed.
  • Strive for excellent performances.  Excellence encourages excellence
  • Do recordings of every group each year, distribute to students and their families
  • Build a graded choir program so younger students may strive for membership in advanced groups
  • Know everyone’s name by the first week of class.  Know their interests and passions by the second.
  • Strive to create win/win situations when music activities conflict with other student responsibilities
  • Be available for students before school, at lunch and after school
  • Schedule non-business social events to build camaraderie and esprit de corps
  • Don’t play favorites. Provide opportunities for all.
  • ‘Catch’ people being good
  • Be consistent and predictable in your behaviors
  • Be positive and encouraging
  • Recognize individual differences.  Just like plants, give each student the nutrients they need to grow.
  • Find creative ways to teach the same topics, do new things regularly 
  • Have high expectations that are clear and attainable
  • Have a sense of humor
  • Be friendly but not their friend.  They need a role model, mentor and teacher, not a buddy.
  • Balance criticism and correction with affirmation and recognition of positives
  • Have a plan and work the plan, students thrive in an orderly environment
  • Model excellence, hard work, compassion and other qualities you find commendable
  • Follow through…do what you say you’ll do
  • Call parents to let them know when their child does WELL.  This is especially important for underachieving students.