Smart Repertoire Planning: How to Choose Music That Builds Your Choir and Captivates Your Audience
Your music choices shape not just your concert, but your choir’s culture, confidence, and connection to community.
Choosing the right repertoire is one of the most powerful tools you have as a conductor. Whether you're programming for a youth chorus, community choir, or advanced vocal ensemble, your selections influence singer development, audience growth, and long-term ensemble success.
Here’s how to approach repertoire planning strategically with your singers, goals, and community in mind.
Repertoire as Strategy, Not Just Season Planning
Strong repertoire planning balances:
Musical challenge and achievability
Singer interest and audience appeal
Artistic variety and program cohesion
Instead of asking, “What’s fun to sing?”, start asking:
What will help my singers grow vocally and musically?
What themes or messages do we want to share with our audience?
What kind of ensemble do we want to be known as?
This shift turns repertoire from a task list into a leadership tool.
5 Keys to Strategic Repertoire Planning
1. Know Your Choir’s Voice and Range
Start with what you have, not what you wish you had.
Evaluate the vocal balance and range of your singers (SATB, SAB, unison, etc.).
Consider stamina, sight-reading level, and age/experience of your group.
Choose music that stretches your choir just enough without overwhelming them.
2. Use Repertoire to Build Musical Skills
Repertoire is your year-long curriculum. Choose pieces that develop:
Diction and vowel unification
Blend and balance
Rhythm accuracy or syncopation
Language diversity
Aural skills (harmonies, entrances, dynamics)
Bonus: Rotate in contrasting pieces that highlight different strengths. This supports member retention by keeping rehearsals varied and energizing.
3. Incorporate Inclusive and Diverse Voices
Your music should reflect the diversity of your singers and community.
Include composers from different backgrounds, genders, and cultures.
Explore styles beyond the traditional Western choral canon.
Provide context in rehearsal; make time to explore lyrics, language, and meaning.
Inclusivity isn’t a theme, it’s a practice. Your singers and audience will notice and value the intentional representation.
4. Balance Familiarity with Discovery
Too much novelty can be exhausting. Too much familiarity can feel stale.
Anchor your concert around one or two “audience pleasers” or well-known works.
Add fresh repertoire that’s new to your choir but still accessible.
Consider themed programs that allow variety within a narrative or concept.
This balance keeps singers engaged and audiences returning.
5. Program With Your Season and Capacity in Mind
Consider your calendar, venue, and rehearsal schedule when selecting repertoire.
Avoid overly complex works if rehearsal time is limited.
Match seasonal moods (e.g., reflective winter pieces, joyful spring fare).
Plan programming arcs: warm-up concerts, community events, and major shows.
Smart pacing prevents burnout and builds momentum across the season.
Your Choir’s Identity Is Built One Song at a Time
The music you choose sends a message—about your values, your ensemble, and your vision. Let it reflect who you are and who you’re becoming.
Up Next: Making Rehearsals Work: Structure, Energy & Engagement
This post is part of The Conductor’s Toolkit series—a practical guide for choir and chorus leaders who want to grow their ensembles, build community, and lead with confidence. From repertoire planning to rehearsal strategies and tech tools, this series offers insights to help you strengthen your singers and your leadership.
