Where to Stand
When our primary was large, and we had to squeeze folding chairs into every empty space in the choir area, we found that it worked to choose a spot a few pews back in the chapel, and stand on a stool. We set the easel for the music in the pew area directly in front of that spot, which meant that I reserved a spot on a bench and then the spot on the bench directly in front of me. This was my favorite place to stand with a large choir.
Another year, the primary had shrunk enough that we tried having me direct so that I was up on the stands too, and the microphone was directly behind me when I was facing the children. The children responded better to requests for more volume, with me so close to them. It felt less intimidating. This was my favorite place to stand for a medium size choir.
For Mother's Day and other programs, when the children just come up from where they are sitting with their families, instead of being in the choir seats, I stood in front of the very front-most pew or sometimes even stayed seated. This was a great spot because I was right there in front of the kids, and proximity made them more comfortable.
I have seen choir directors stand in the center of one of the aisles, and that's not a bad spot, but I like to be centered in front of the kids.
Also, make sure that wherever you stand, both the pianist and if you need an organ, the organist can see you, too.
Sing out Loud
I realized pretty quickly as a primary chorister that the louder I sang, the louder the kids sang. They really do follow us so if we sing the wrong words, they sing the wrong words with us. If we sing forte, they sing forte with us.
I have been involved with the Primary Program and all times that the children sing in sacrament for eight years now, either as a chorister or primary president. It's noticeable that every time the chorister isn't comfortable singing loudly, the primary kids are a lot more quiet.
In addition, if the primary kids feel isolated from each other, they also have a tendency to sing more quietly. So, if you have a primary that is so small that they don't fill the primary seats, consider having them stand just behind the microphone and have them squish in close together. All of this stuff makes a big difference in volume and confidence!
Lastly, simple movements, like cupping my hand behind my ear helped.
What I don't recommend is having someone else hold up volume cards. The kids should be looking at you, not someone else.
When our primary was large, and we had to squeeze folding chairs into every empty space in the choir area, we found that it worked to choose a spot a few pews back in the chapel, and stand on a stool. We set the easel for the music in the pew area directly in front of that spot, which meant that I reserved a spot on a bench and then the spot on the bench directly in front of me. This was my favorite place to stand with a large choir.
Another year, the primary had shrunk enough that we tried having me direct so that I was up on the stands too, and the microphone was directly behind me when I was facing the children. The children responded better to requests for more volume, with me so close to them. It felt less intimidating. This was my favorite place to stand for a medium size choir.
For Mother's Day and other programs, when the children just come up from where they are sitting with their families, instead of being in the choir seats, I stood in front of the very front-most pew or sometimes even stayed seated. This was a great spot because I was right there in front of the kids, and proximity made them more comfortable.
I have seen choir directors stand in the center of one of the aisles, and that's not a bad spot, but I like to be centered in front of the kids.
Also, make sure that wherever you stand, both the pianist and if you need an organ, the organist can see you, too.
Sing out Loud
I realized pretty quickly as a primary chorister that the louder I sang, the louder the kids sang. They really do follow us so if we sing the wrong words, they sing the wrong words with us. If we sing forte, they sing forte with us.
I have been involved with the Primary Program and all times that the children sing in sacrament for eight years now, either as a chorister or primary president. It's noticeable that every time the chorister isn't comfortable singing loudly, the primary kids are a lot more quiet.
In addition, if the primary kids feel isolated from each other, they also have a tendency to sing more quietly. So, if you have a primary that is so small that they don't fill the primary seats, consider having them stand just behind the microphone and have them squish in close together. All of this stuff makes a big difference in volume and confidence!
Lastly, simple movements, like cupping my hand behind my ear helped.
What I don't recommend is having someone else hold up volume cards. The kids should be looking at you, not someone else.
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My Nativity ABCs
by Esther Yu Sumner
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