How many volunteer choir directors come to the podium with little to no knowledge? How many of us have been put into positions of leadership in churches, community choruses, or various choruses with little or no knowledge or experience in directing? This book is part how-to, part how-it-is, and part how-it-happens to become a better choral director, conductor, musician, and leader. Through stories of overcoming failure, learning patience, and loving the world of music, Joel Plaag's "I'm a Choir Director?" teaches and reminds how to be the leader of the choir. Plaag looks at the musical, the mental, and the practical part of being a good choral director with volunteers, and how to make one's way in this ever-changing field.
Conducting is an act of internal acceptance. We change what we can with each of our groups, and we accept when we can't.
How do we plan a choir rehearsal? How do we keep our singers coming back? Can we create that sense of belonging that each of us felt when we joined a volunteer choir? A unique look at directing amateurs, especially church choirs, Joel Plaag's book explores refining gestures and ideas to create and grow a good volunteer choir.
Written for the non-professional choir director, I'm a Choir Director, explores the challenges in preparing a rehearsal and the struggles of being a volunteer choir director, told by a veteran choir director. From how to plan the room, to how to conduct, to how to prepare rehearsals, Joel Plaag touches on the aspects of choir directing for the rest of us with everyday language, diagrams and stories about learning to be a better choir director.
