GIVE YOUR CHOIR A VOICE IN LOGISTICAL DECISIONS.  Rehearsal times and places should be when and where the most key singers and your accompanist CAN ATTEND.

 IF YOU FEED THEM, THEY WILL COME.  A "brainstorming" potluck before the beginning of each season is a good time to ask for the singers' opinions and support.***

 LISTEN TO EVERYONE, BUT MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS.  The best choirs sound like one person singing 2, 3, 4, or more parts. The singers must do musical things ONE WAY--YOURS. Being a benevolent dictator is the most efficient way to run a choir; and it's the only way that works well.

 START WITH EASY MUSIC.  Don't overestimate the abilities of your group. It is much better to perform easy music well than difficult music poorly. You can graduate to more interesting music later when you have a better idea of your singers' capabilities.

GET A COMMITTMENT from a core group of singers (preferably some--at least 2 or 3--from each vocal part) to attend all rehearsals.

 DON'T BE DISCOURAGED  if you have poor attendance at first. Adjust the schedule to a time that singers can attend. Many singers won't join until they think they will be part of a group rather than alone on a part. Others don't want to be part of something unless it is already good. You will have to have a few successes--show that you are a competent director--before they will join the choir.

 REMEMBER YOU NEED YOUR SINGERS.  Without the singers, you would be just a person making funny hand movements. They aren't being paid to be there; therefore you must give them a reason to attend. They must get something out of being there--and KNOW that they're getting something, or they won't make the time to show up for rehearsal. Things that they can get out of choir attendance: inspiration, musical knowledge, mini voice lessons, approval, friendship, fun.

 ACCOMPANISTS ARE WONDERFUL!  If you are lucky enough to have an accompanist, appreciate him or her. Give the accompanist the music ahead of time so they don't have to sightread during rehearsal. Practice your tempos and conducting with the accompanist before you get to choir rehearsal. Compliment and thank your accompanist in front of the choir.

***KEEP AN INVENTORY of all the music your church acquires.

 NEVER FORGET YOUR ROLE AS TEACHER.  Teach the music, vocal techniques, timing, note-reading, sightsinging, pronunciation, conducting  patterns, musical interpretation.

 Every concept they learn is one less that you will have to teach by rote.