The final concert has been performed, the applause has faded and the summer break has begun. So now what do you do with your choir music? While it can be tempting to pack everything away until September, spending a little time organising your choir’s music now will save time and make life much easier when rehearsals begin again. 

Whether your choir owns, hires or borrows printed music, these simple steps will help keep your library organised and ready for the new season. 

1. Collect every copy 

Before anything else, make sure every copy of your music has been returned. 

Check that: 

• all members have handed their music back 

• no copies have been misplaced after the final performance 

• any damaged copies are noted 

If you’re missing music, it’s much easier to track it down while the concert is still fresh in everyone’s minds than several weeks later. 

2.  Return hired music promptly 

If your choir hires music, don’t forget to return it by the agreed deadline. 

Returning music on time helps ensure it remains available for other choirs and avoids unnecessary late fees. Before returning it, check that all copies are present and remove any loose notes or papers from inside the folders. 

3. Organise your library 

Once music has been collected, take the opportunity to file everything properly. 

A well-organised library means you’ll spend less time searching for music when planning your next season.

Consider:

• filing music alphabetically or by composer
• labelling storage boxes or folders clearly
• keeping a record of how many copies you own
• storing music somewhere clean and dry to help preserve it

4. Make a note for next time 

While the season is still fresh in your mind, record anything that will help in the future. 

For example: 

• Was there enough music for everyone? 
• Were any copies damaged or missing? 
• Did you need to purchase additional copies? 
• Would you perform the piece again? 

These notes can save valuable time when you’re choosing repertoire in the future. 

5. Check your music permissions 

If your choir has made authorised copies of printed music under an Amateur Choir Licence, now is also a good opportunity to ensure your records are up to date. 

Taking a few moments to review your permissions and any copied music before the new season begins can help keep everything organised and ensure you’re ready for the months ahead. 

Ready for next season 

A little organisation now can make a big difference later. 

By collecting, returning and storing your music properly before the summer break, you’ll give your choir a head start when rehearsals begin again – leaving you free to focus on making music rather than searching through cupboards and folders. 

Looking for more practical advice? Keep an eye on our blog over the coming weeks as we share tips to help you prepare for the new choir season. 

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