Has anyone here led a children's choir?

Question

I have been chosen to lead our children's choir at church and have no idea where to begin. I am in the adult choir, but trying to get kids to sing is a little different ball game. The kids are ages 4 - 12. Do I bribe them to sing or what? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer 1

I've never led one, but I remember what my leader did in jr. choir. Sometimes, a couple moms stayed and helped keep track of what the kids were doing, and told them to stop and pay attention. Be careful the order you put them in. If two friends are right next to each other you'd probably have a lot of talking.

Umm, I don't think you're supposed to bribe the kids. Try to get them interested. Make a few hand moves, or something to go with it? I wouldn't put them on the spot, but have them sing a few bars and then again..and again, until they're as loud as you want them, or at least okay with.

  When you're dealing with little kids though, you should practice the same song over and over again. But, try, if you can, not to do it in a row all the time. It just gets boring. Maybe "I sing a line and you sing it back", would help at all?

I'm outta ideas now, sorry! Good luck with leading! I'm sure the music will be fine.