What does a high school choir director do?

I'm interested in music and have considered directing a choir. What are the main tasks and responsibilities of a high school choir director?

A high school choir director wears many hats in the school community. Here's an overview of their typical roles:

- Firstly, a choir director's primary role is to teach and coach students to deliver extraordinary musical performances. This includes hosting rehearsals, teaching correct vocal technique, dealing with a wide mix of voices and musical abilities, and developing a strong mixed chorus or smaller ensembles.

- Secondly, directors select music for the choir's repertory. This involves finding songs that will engage and challenge the students while being appropriate for their skill level and for the performance occasion.

- Directors also organize and plan concerts or performances for the choir such as holiday concerts or community gatherings. This involves preparing the choir, coordinating with other stakeholders in the school or community, and often handling logistics such as stage arrangements or audio setup.

- Additionally, the director sometimes manages auditions for new choir members or for soloists within the choir. They have to understand the vocal range and capabilities of their students to select the best fit for each role.

- Directors connect with parents, administrators, and other teachers as well. They may need to advocate for the choir and for arts education more broadly, manage parent volunteers for concerts, or partner with colleagues for interdisciplinary projects.

- Many high school choir directors also give individual or small group vocal lessons to students. This often takes a more focused look at vocal technique and musical theory.

- Finally, choir directors often have administrative tasks, such as managing a budget for music purchases or concert costs, handling students' grades or attendance, and making travel arrangements for the choir's participation in festivals or competitions.

In essence, a choir director guides students to learn and grow in their music abilities while also creating a joyful and creative community. It's a challenging role, but many find it incredibly rewarding. That said, the specifics can vary widely from job to job and depend on the size of the school and its music department, the level of the choir, and the music program's overall aims and context.