Choosing the Right Rep

The auditions are done, the season is set, folders are being assigned... but what to put in them? For the West Campus Pilot Choir, the very first FCS choir for auditioned 7-10 year olds in western Fairfax County, the task of choosing the right repertoire was a fun challenge for me.

There are many starting places from which one could choose choral repertoire for young singers. Some conductors think in terms of a theme for the concert, some aim to create a diverse program of many styles or a program that will appeal to a specific audience, some prefer to choose music that will aid in building choral skills within their ensemble. While I consider all of these different areas at some point in my selection process, I've found that what first draws me to quality literature is its text.

For me, great choral literature, no matter the genre or style, is anchored by a great text. Quality texts in choral music range from serious and contemplative to playful and deliciously clever. If the text of a piece comes across as “artificially flavored,” that is a deal breaker in my book. I try to choose a text that will sustain us through many rehearsals, offer a new or unique perspective on a subject, provoke thought, celebrate beauty and/or cultivate whimsy. Time is limited; why waste it on anything but the best? One of my mentors taught me to think of choosing repertoire that would be worthy of childhood memories - because for children, the songs they sing become the soundtracks of their childhood.

Once a piece has passed my rigorous text test (you can tell whether or not something is good in 3 seconds - it really isn't hard!), I consider repertoire in terms of its construction. Is it well-made? Is there a form that will make sense to the ear? Does the setting match the text? What role does the accompaniment have? Is the accompaniment interesting? Is the melody beautiful?

Once I have found music that has a great text and is well-constructed, then I think in terms of teaching my singers. What vocal and musicianship skills will this piece demand? What skills will this piece help develop? Every piece for my singers should help them grow as a young person, as well as vocally and musically. There's nothing wrong with a challenge, either! One of my favorite quotes is, “Never underestimate the artistic potential of a child.”* If I'm successful in matching the right piece to the right singers, magic can happen!

Here's hoping for a little magic!

Bonny Tynch - Director, West Campus Pilot Choir

*Marie Stultz