As one choir season comes to an end, another is already on the horizon. While it can be tempting to jump straight into booking rehearsal venues or choosing new music, taking a step back first can make the months ahead much easier to manage. 

A little planning now can help your committee stay organised, avoid last-minute stress and create a season that’s enjoyable for both your members and your audience. 

So, where should you start? 

Start with your goals 

Before making any decisions, think about what you want your choir to achieve this season. 

Are you hoping to grow your membership? Prepare for a major concert? Explore a new style of repertoire? Raise money for a local charity? Or simply create a welcoming, enjoyable space for people to sing together? 

Having clear goals gives your committee a shared focus and helps guide every other decision you’ll make throughout the year. 

Review last season 

It’s worth taking a few moments to reflect before moving forward. 

Ask questions such as: 

• What worked particularly well? 

• Which events were the most successful? 

• Did members enjoy the repertoire? 

• Were rehearsals well attended? 

• What challenges did the committee face? 

Honest reflection can help you build on successes and avoid repeating the same problems. 

Map out the year 

Once you know what you’re working towards, sketch out the season ahead. 

Think about key dates, including: 

• Concerts and performances 

• Community events 

• Recruitment opportunities 

• Holiday breaks 

• Deadlines for publicity or ticket sales 

You don’t need every detail planned immediately, but having an overview makes it much easier to spread the workload throughout the season. 

Consider your repertoire 

Choosing music is one of the most exciting parts of planning, but it’s also one of the biggest decisions. 

Think about your choir’s ability, the audiences you’ll be performing for and how the programme fits with your goals for the season. 

If you’d like more guidance, take a look at our blog on choosing repertoire for your choir. 

Think about your members 

A successful season isn’t just about performances. 

Consider how you’ll welcome new members, keep existing singers engaged and make rehearsals enjoyable. Small changes, such as clearer communication or social opportunities, can make a big difference to member retention. 

If you’re planning to recruit this year, now is also a good time to think about how you’ll promote your choir locally. 

Share responsibilities 

Committee members often wear many hats, but planning becomes much more manageable when responsibilities are shared. 

Agree who will take ownership of different tasks, such as: 

• Concert planning 

• Publicity and social media 

• Membership enquiries 

• Music library management 

• Finances 

• Licensing and administration 

Clear responsibilities help prevent important jobs from being overlooked. 

Don’t forget the practical details 

Finally, work through the essential administration before rehearsals begin. 

This might include confirming rehearsal venues, checking your budget, updating your website and social media, planning your communications and making sure you have the appropriate music licences in place where needed. 

Taking care of these practical tasks early allows you to focus on enjoying the season once rehearsals begin. 

Start with a plan, not a panic 

Every choir is different, and no season will look exactly the same. The important thing is not to have every detail finalised from day one, but to begin with a clear plan and realistic priorities. 

A little preparation over the summer can set your choir up for a confident, organised and enjoyable season ahead, leaving more time to focus on what matters most: making music together. 

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