Looking into your choir future

The life of a choir leader can be very hectic. For many, the role is balanced with full-time jobs, family life and the general day to day bustle that is modern life. Rehearsal day comes around so fast that it only seems just about manageable to be prepared and ready for that.

However, once in a while it's a good idea to take stock of the situation and look ahead to make sure you're going in the right direction for you. So why not grab yourself a quiet corner for a few minutes, turn off the phone/computer and have a think about these questions:

1. What made you decide to become a choir leader?
2. What do you love about the choir? (note this may be different to what your singers love about it)
3. What has been or continues to be the most exciting and best moment for you?
4. What don't you like/what doesn't work? (This can be something big, such as the type of repertoire, or something small like and aspect of administration).
5. Can you see a way to change what you don't like?
6. Looking forward, what would excite you as choir leader? Perhaps you have ambitions for a grand scale performance at a prestigious venue? Perhaps you prefer smaller charity events. You are the one leading, teaching and inspiring the choir so what inspires you and how do you make it happen?
7. How long can you see yourself leading this choir? Is there a time limit in your mind or are you happy to go with the flow and stay in the present, seeing what opportunities come along later?
8. How will you keep yourself and your singers inspired over a long period? What kind of events or activities could you aim for?
9. Would you like to diversify? Perhaps start creating more choirs either run by yourself or other choir leaders who you bring in.
10. Are you happy with the age group you teach? Would you like to try a different demographic? For example, if you teach an adult choir would you like to also gain experience at teaching a children's choir or teen choir?

Try not to let these questions overwhelm you, they are merely designed to get you thinking about your choir leading career from your point of view.

The exercise is designed as a few minutes where you can step outside your daily responsibilities and just check you are on the path you want to be.

You may not know all the answers and you may be perfectly content not thinking about it too much. However, if there's a chance that there are changes which need to be made, taking time to take stock is the best way to come up with ideas and solutions which will set you on the path to feeling fufilled and happy as a choir leader.