It's August, and I'm behind schedule as I adjust to a new work rhythm. After my recent promotion at the church where I've served for nearly ten years, balancing new and old responsibilities has been challenging. The choir season begins again in a month, but I still have no information about the planned sermon themes or scripture passages. Some directors always know which scripture will be used each Sunday because their pastors preach from the Revised Common Lectionary or another lectionary, making service music planning much easier. However, that is not my situation. So, how does one plan for a new ministry season when this valuable information isn’t available and the start date is fast approaching?
Eight Tips
- I remind myself of the vision for worship services at our church. Of course, our primary goal is to glorify God through music. Additionally, our congregation values blending old and new styles—incorporating both traditional hymns and contemporary songs. I want the choral music I select to reflect this balance.
- I prioritize choosing pieces that serve the needs of both the choir and the congregation, rather than simply reflecting my own tastes. The music should not only praise God, but also build up the church. While I love choral music, I recognize that my volunteer choir has limited abilities and our rehearsal time is short. Sometimes, when listening to potential pieces, I am captivated by a song’s beauty but must set it aside because it is beyond our current capabilities.
- To stay organized, I break the schedule into smaller sections. For the start of the year, I first decide which Sundays in September the choir will sing—usually two Sundays, typically the later ones, to allow time for learning new music.
- When planning music for September, I focus on the different elements of a worship service. Having served in Reformed settings throughout my career, I know there are key components each week: an introit or call to worship, a song of confession, a song of assurance, a song of consecration, and a benediction. Choosing music that aligns with these elements reinforces their purpose and enhances the creativity of our worship.
- At some point in September, I usually receive a sermon planning document with Scripture and sermon titles. I do a mental happy dance if I receive a sermon summary in addition!
In addition to supporting the themes of the service and sermon, I consider the following when selecting music:
- Pieces that highlight the strengths of our choir. For example, our accompanist is a professional jazz pianist and the strongest musician on our team, so selecting songs with engaging—if not complicated—piano parts helps the rest of the choir feel confident (and, honestly, can cover many musical “sins”).
- Scheduling a few anthems we’ve performed before—so we have reliable pieces to use with minimal rehearsal time—allows us to focus on learning new repertoire.
- I try to plan at least one anthem before January that stretches our skills and preferences and connects us with another part of the body of Christ—sometimes this involves singing in Latin or Spanish. Why do this? Simply put: spiritual formation. By joining our voices in song, we sing not only with our current congregation but also with saints who have gone before us, with those who appreciate a higher aesthetic than we typically pursue, and with believers from different cultures and languages.
As I move into this new season of ministry—balancing fresh responsibilities with the familiar joy of preparing for choir, I am reminded that thoughtful, flexible planning is an act of trust as much as it is one of organization. Even when plans are imperfect or information is incomplete, my commitment remains to offer music that uplifts, unites, and deepens the worship of our community. By focusing on what serves our choir and congregation best, by honoring tradition while embracing change, and by encouraging spiritual growth through song, I hope to lead us in creating worship that is both meaningful and transformative. In the end, it is not perfection but our faithfulness and willingness to serve together that enables our voices to become one, glorifying God in every note.
