Finding a Choir Master

Choir masters or conductors are an essential ingredient of your new choir.

They will help inspire and lead your choir to give its best performance by building confidence and creating positive team energy. You may also need their help to arrange sheet music and lyrics. He or she should be able to find music that will be fun, appropriate and achievable.

Live accompaniment such as a piano player can be helpful but isn’t necessary, there is a lot of a cappella (unaccompanied) music or backing tracks available for choirs.

Here are a few suggestions which may help you find the right choir master and accompaniment for your choir:

• Consider approaching music departments and tutors at your local university, college or school.

• Speak to someone from your local church, town hall or community centre to see if there is someone available.

• Music education hubs may also be a good conduit for contacting individual teachers or locally based choral leaders who may be able to offer support, tuition or mentoring. There are a number of national organisations with heaps of experience in voluntary music making activity. Take a look at the list of related links.

It’s possible that you will have to pay for your choir master’s time, so if there is someone within your company who has experience of running a choir or has the musical know-how, they may save you some money. If you do have to find the funds, explore how your company could help with this or you could charge weekly subs.

Remember, a choir master’s focus should be musical, they shouldn’t be expected to take on the administrative needs of the choir. Choir members should be asked to volunteer to help support the choir.