Establish Goals for Your Choir

Aug 26, 2026

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?

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.

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