By Susan Eernisse and Karen Gosselin

Excerpted from HELP! I HAVE REHEARSAL TOMORROW!
Click HERE to preview the book

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

March. March. March. March.

Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce.

It may look like simple fun—and it is fun—but something very important is happening.

Children are experiencing steady beat, one of the most fundamental building blocks of music.

That's why HELP! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow! makes this recommendation:

Steady beat is essential in every choir, regardless of age or grade level.

Not just preschoolers. Not just beginning singers.

Every choir.

Put the Beat in Their Bodies

We don't experience music only with our ears. We experience it physically.

Give children many different ways to move to the beat: marching, stomping, clapping, and more.
You might pat knees, tap shoulders, sway from side to side, walk around the room, bounce a ball, or pass an object around a circle.

Change the activity and suddenly something you've practiced many times feels new again.

Steady Beat Helps Build Better Singers

Here's something children's choir leaders sometimes overlook: steady beat isn't only preparation for learning rhythm.

It can also support pitch development and singing in tune.

When children internalize a consistent musical pulse, they develop an underlying framework that helps organize what they hear and sing.

So that marching activity isn't merely filling five minutes of rehearsal. You're building musicianship.

Use Movement to Teach More

Once children become comfortable moving to a beat, movement can introduce and reinforce other musical concepts including style, expression, and meter.

How would we move differently to a stately hymn than to a lively spiritual?

How might our bodies respond to music in three versus music in four?

What happens to our movements when the music becomes softer, louder, faster, or slower?

Now children aren't simply being told about music. They're experiencing it.

Add a Prop—and Watch What Happens! 

Balls, scarves, ribbons, and other simple props can turn a steady-beat exercise into something children eagerly anticipate. The book specifically connects these props with movement activities.

Bounce a ball on the beat. Move a scarf in large flowing motions. Tap rhythm sticks. Pass a beanbag.
March while playing a drum.

And remember: children often learn best when they don't realize they're having a "lesson."

In HELP! we call that kind of playful teaching the “sneak attack.” Children experience an activity as a game while important musical learning is happening underneath.

So the next time rehearsal begins to drag—or attention starts to wander—don't automatically talk more.

Get them on their feet.
Find the pulse.
And move!

Because when children can feel the beat, you've given them a foundation on which so much of their future musicianship can be built.

Excerpted from Help! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow!
© Copyright 2026 Jubilate Music Group, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

Susan Eernisse and Karen Gosselin are cowriters of the new resource for children’s choir directors, Help! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow!, published by Jubilate Music Group.

Susan Eernisse is a veteran children’s choir director, clinician, curriculum writer, and editor. A native of Anderson, SC, she holds degrees from Berry College and Anderson University and completed all three levels of Orff training. Susan has taught music in public and private schools and directed children’s church choirs of all ages for decades. She has led music camps and children’s choir festivals and enjoys writing songs, anthems, and teaching resources for young singers. Susan’s works have been published by several publishers. She and her husband, Glenn, recently retired from full-time music ministry and enjoy traveling, spending time with family, and continuing their musical interests.

Karen Gosselin is a lifelong children’s music educator and worship leader with a passion for raising the next generation of worshipers. A native Oklahoman, she earned a B.A. in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and an M.M. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Karen has served as a public-school and daycare music teacher, curriculum writer, nationwide children’s choir clinician, and longtime director of children’s and youth choirs. She currently serves as Coordinator of Worship Resources for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, equipping and encouraging churches throughout Alabama in worship and music ministry. Karen and her husband, Greg, a retired children’s pastor, have three adult children and share a passion for helping churches lead every generation to worship Christ.

By Susan Eernisse and Karen Gosselin

Excerpted from HELP! I HAVE REHEARSAL TOMORROW!
Click HERE to preview the book

You have singers.
You have a rehearsal room.
You have music.
You have a calendar.
You're ready to go...right?

Almost.

Before a choir season gets too far underway, there is one more important question to answer:

What are we trying to accomplish?

Establishing goals can transform a children's choir from a weekly series of rehearsals into a purposeful ministry with a clear direction.

Don't Establish Goals Alone

Children's choir works best when it is a team effort.

Bring together the people invested in the ministry—music and children's ministry staff, directors, volunteers, and others—and talk about what success should look like.

The book recommends working as a team to establish goals for the choirs.

When people help create the goals, they are much more likely to understand and support them.

Decide What You Can Reasonably Accomplish

Dream big—but plan realistically. What can this particular choir accomplish this semester? What could it accomplish in several years?

Perhaps a short-term goal is helping children match pitch more consistently, maintain a steady beat, or become comfortable singing in worship. A long-term goal might be developing musically literate young singers who can eventually serve as confident worship leaders.

The key word is reasonably. Goals should encourage growth without setting children—or leaders—up for frustration.

Identify Your Non-Negotiables

What are the things you absolutely want every child to experience or learn?

The book calls these the “must-do” elements—the non-negotiables.

Your list might include musical skills, spiritual formation, regular participation in worship, scripture learning, or simply creating an environment where every child feels welcomed and valued.

Once you identify those priorities, they can help guide dozens of smaller decisions throughout the year.

Know What You Won't Do

This one may be just as important!

Be upfront about what will not be included.

No choir can do everything. Trying to squeeze every good idea into one program can leave directors exhausted and rehearsals unfocused. Saying "no" to one worthwhile activity may give you enough time to do something more important exceptionally well.

And Keep Dreaming

Finally, create a vision list of big-picture goals for the future.

What might your children's choir ministry look like in three years? Five years? Could you add another age-level choir? Develop young instrumentalists? Create opportunities for older children to mentor younger singers?

Today's choir does not have to be tomorrow's choir.

Goals give you something to work toward—and something to celebrate when you get there.
So before your next rehearsal, ask yourself and your team:

Where are we going—and how will we know when we're getting there?

Excerpted from Help! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow!
© Copyright 2026 Jubilate Music Group, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

NEXT WEEK: Steady Beat—It's Essential!

Susan Eernisse and Karen Gosselin are cowriters of the new resource for children’s choir directors, Help! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow!, published by Jubilate Music Group.

Susan Eernisse is a veteran children’s choir director, clinician, curriculum writer, and editor. A native of Anderson, SC, she holds degrees from Berry College and Anderson University and completed all three levels of Orff training. Susan has taught music in public and private schools and directed children’s church choirs of all ages for decades. She has led music camps and children’s choir festivals and enjoys writing songs, anthems, and teaching resources for young singers. Susan’s works have been published by several publishers. She and her husband, Glenn, recently retired from full-time music ministry and enjoy traveling, spending time with family, and continuing their musical interests.

Karen Gosselin is a lifelong children’s music educator and worship leader with a passion for raising the next generation of worshipers. A native Oklahoman, she earned a B.A. in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and an M.M. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Karen has served as a public-school and daycare music teacher, curriculum writer, nationwide children’s choir clinician, and longtime director of children’s and youth choirs. She currently serves as Coordinator of Worship Resources for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, equipping and encouraging churches throughout Alabama in worship and music ministry. Karen and her husband, Greg, a retired children’s pastor, have three adult children and share a passion for helping churches lead every generation to worship Christ.

By Susan Eernisse and Karen Gosselin

Excerpted from HELP! I HAVE REHEARSAL TOMORROW!
Click HERE to preview the book

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an unlimited children’s choir budget?

A room filled with beautiful classroom percussion instruments! Cabinets overflowing with teaching props! Every resource you could possibly want!

And then there’s reality.

The good news is that some of the most effective teaching tools for children’s choir cost very little—or nothing at all. The secret is learning to look at ordinary objects and ask:

“How could I use THAT in choir?”

Start with the Thrift Store

Thrift stores and yard sales can be treasure chests for children’s choir teachers. Keep an eye out for scarves that can be used for movement activities. Scarves can help children experience musical phrases, dynamics, tempo, and expression physically.

And don't stop there. Browse the toy section. Puppets, balls, hoops, baskets, and other inexpensive items can become teaching tools with a little imagination.

Seasonal clearance aisles are another gold mine. When a holiday or season ends, retailers often deeply discount toys and props. Think ahead to next year!

Your Hardware Store May Be a Music Store in Disguise

A plastic bucket?
We see a drum.
A wooden dowel?
We see rhythm sticks.
Plastic flagging tape?
We see colorful movement streamers.

Building-supply stores may even donate materials or offer discounts to churches and schools. The book's advice is simple: It never hurts to ask!

Tell the manager what you're doing with the materials. You might be surprised by the response. Rhythm Sticks Without Rhythm Sticks

No rhythm sticks? No problem.

New, unsharpened pencils can work. So can unused chopsticks—and a local restaurant may be willing to donate them. The book also suggests short lengths of wooden dowel.

Suddenly an activity for 20 children doesn't require purchasing 20 specialized instruments.

Shake Things Up!

 Plastic Easter eggs make terrific homemade shakers.

Place a few dry corn kernels inside, secure the eggs carefully, and you have inexpensive rhythm instruments.

Even old tennis balls can become shakers, and a local tennis club may have used balls it is willing to give away.

Keep a Wish List

There may be people in your congregation who would love to help your children's choir—they simply don't know what you need.

Keep a wish list of inexpensive items and share it with willing donors. One person may have scarves sitting unused in a closet. Another may happily purchase a set of balls. Someone else may have exactly the item you've been looking for stored in the garage.

Creativity can accomplish a great deal before money ever enters the equation.

Our favorite advice from HELP! may say it best: Think outside the box...and then use the box!

Excerpted from Help! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow!
© Copyright 2026 Jubilate Music Group, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

NEXT WEEK: Where Are We Going? Establishing Goals for Your Choir

Susan Eernisse and Karen Gosselin are cowriters of the new resource for children’s choir directors, Help! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow!, published by Jubilate Music Group.

Susan Eernisse is a veteran children’s choir director, clinician, curriculum writer, and editor. A native of Anderson, SC, she holds degrees from Berry College and Anderson University and completed all three levels of Orff training. Susan has taught music in public and private schools and directed children’s church choirs of all ages for decades. She has led music camps and children’s choir festivals and enjoys writing songs, anthems, and teaching resources for young singers. Susan’s works have been published by several publishers. She and her husband, Glenn, recently retired from full-time music ministry and enjoy traveling, spending time with family, and continuing their musical interests.

Karen Gosselin is a lifelong children’s music educator and worship leader with a passion for raising the next generation of worshipers. A native Oklahoman, she earned a B.A. in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and an M.M. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Karen has served as a public-school and daycare music teacher, curriculum writer, nationwide children’s choir clinician, and longtime director of children’s and youth choirs. She currently serves as Coordinator of Worship Resources for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, equipping and encouraging churches throughout Alabama in worship and music ministry. Karen and her husband, Greg, a retired children’s pastor, have three adult children and share a passion for helping churches lead every generation to worship Christ.

By Susan Eernisse and Karen Gosselin

Excerpted from HELP! I HAVE REHEARSAL TOMORROW!
Click HERE to preview the book

One of the most exciting parts of leading a children’s choir is choosing what your singers will learn. It can also be one of the most important decisions you make.

The songs and materials you select help determine not only what happens in rehearsal, but what children learn about music, singing, worship, and faith. And long after a particular choir year is over, you may be surprised by what they remember!

So where do you begin?

1. Know Your Choir

Before choosing music, take an honest look at the children standing in front of you.

What are their ages? What musical skills do they already have? Are they experienced singers, beginners, or—as is often the case—a combination of both?

Choose music that is developmentally appropriate in text, vocal range, theology, and skill level. 

A song can be wonderful and still not be the right song for your choir. Music that is too difficult may lead to frustration; music that is too easy may not provide enough opportunity for growth.

Look for that sweet spot: music your children can successfully learn, but that also gives them somewhere to go.

2. Give Your Choir Year a Theme

Consider selecting a spiritual concept and scripture that can serve as an umbrella over your entire choir year. The book suggests, for example, “Sing a New Song!” based on Psalm 98:1.

A theme can provide continuity and purpose. It can also help you evaluate repertoire: Does this song help us reinforce what we want our children to understand this year?

You don’t have to force every anthem into the theme. Think of it instead as a compass that keeps your ministry pointed in a purposeful direction.

3. Variety Is Your Friend! 

Imagine eating exactly the same meal every Wednesday night. Even if you loved it initially, eventually you might be ready for something different!

The same is true musically.

Include songs in a variety of styles, meters, dynamic contrasts, and tempos. Give children opportunities to sing something joyful and energetic, something quiet and reflective, something legato, something rhythmic, and perhaps music representing different traditions and styles.

Variety keeps rehearsals interesting while broadening a child’s musical vocabulary.

4. Remember: You’re Teaching More Than Songs

Your anthem is not the entire curriculum.

Look for activities and teaching aids that develop fundamental musical skills such as steady beat, music reading, musical symbols and terms, melodic and rhythmic skills, classroom instruments, and movement.

A five-minute rhythm activity or movement exercise may seem unrelated to the anthem you are preparing—but you are developing skills that will eventually make that anthem easier to sing.

And don’t forget the words.

In a church children’s choir, the texts children sing have a significance beyond the notes. As we say in HELP! I HAVE REHEARSAL TOMORROW! the words children learn through music may remain in their memories throughout their lives.

So choose thoughtfully. Challenge them. Encourage them. Give them variety.

And above all, give them something worth singing!

Excerpted from Help! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow!
© Copyright 2026 Jubilate Music Group, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

NEXT WEEK: Great Teaching Tools Don’t Have to Break the Budget!

Susan Eernisse and Karen Gosselin are cowriters of the new resource for children’s choir directors, Help! I Have Rehearsal Tomorrow!, published by Jubilate Music Group.

Susan Eernisse is a veteran children’s choir director, clinician, curriculum writer, and editor. A native of Anderson, SC, she holds degrees from Berry College and Anderson University and completed all three levels of Orff training. Susan has taught music in public and private schools and directed children’s church choirs of all ages for decades. She has led music camps and children’s choir festivals and enjoys writing songs, anthems, and teaching resources for young singers. Susan’s works have been published by several publishers. She and her husband, Glenn, recently retired from full-time music ministry and enjoy traveling, spending time with family, and continuing their musical interests.

Karen Gosselin is a lifelong children’s music educator and worship leader with a passion for raising the next generation of worshipers. A native Oklahoman, she earned a B.A. in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and an M.M. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Karen has served as a public-school and daycare music teacher, curriculum writer, nationwide children’s choir clinician, and longtime director of children’s and youth choirs. She currently serves as Coordinator of Worship Resources for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, equipping and encouraging churches throughout Alabama in worship and music ministry. Karen and her husband, Greg, a retired children’s pastor, have three adult children and share a passion for helping churches lead every generation to worship Christ.