Selecting Music and Materials for Your Choir

Aug 11, 2026

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!

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.

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