First and foremost, I choose literature that creates the most opportunities for musical learning. I try to balance difficult pieces with easier pieces, so that my students don’t get overwhelmed. Sometimes I pick music that creates a themed concert, for instance “Carols Around the World” or “A Night of American Music.” It is also important to choose literature that creates a contrast in genres, styles, emotions, energy, tempi, modes, meter, etc, so students, audiences, and I don’t get too bored.

Student suggestions?? It depends… if a student is requesting a song from the radio, I tread very carefully. Most choral arrangements of popular music is of poor quality, while also limiting student learning. Students are more likely to “karaoke” the music, instead of critically think about the music making process. I also believe that popular music is counterproductive to the development of good vocal technique. Students tend to sing like the original performer, which mostly leads to poor breath management, overly bright vowels, poor tone, and tension in the vocal mechanism. If a student returns from a summer choral camp, and returns excited to share a piece of music with his teacher and peers, I take a look at it and see if fits/works with the ensemble and the rest of the repertoire. Like Joe, I believe that students should have input in the music they are preparing for solo and ensemble.

For each concert cycle, I try to pick one piece that they will be able to play successfully fairly quickly. We won’t spend a ton of time rehearsing it, but we can go back to it whenever the kids need a morale booster. I also try to pick 2-3 pieces that will stretch their abilities and improve different facets of their playing. For example, last year I needed my 7th grade percussionists to experience something rhythmically challenging, while engaging the rest of the group. We ended up performing “Afterburn” by Randall Standridge.

Students get lots of input for solo and ensemble music. I basically allow them to search through our solo/chamber music library, and pick a few things that they like. I’ll help them decide on a final piece.