Christmas Concert Checklist

While Christmas is a hectic season for most people, it hurls forward at a maddening pace for musicians, and shoots by at warp speed for choir and band directors. The annual Christmas concert requires a great deal of preparation and organization. The following checklist is provided to help your event run more smoothly:

CHRISTMAS CONCERT CHECKLIST

8 weeks before: Finalize selection of music. (I actually begin selecting music 3-4 months prior to the concert because my groups only meet once per week to practice.) Secure location and date. Communicate date to students.
7 weeks before: Announce dates of solo auditions.
6 weeks before: Begin memorizing music.
5 weeks before: Hold auditions for solos.
4 weeks before: Announce soloists.
3 weeks before: Finalize order of performances and begin preparing concert program
2 weeks before: Make sure students know dates, times, and locations for dress rehearsals and concert.
1 week before: Final rehearsals should be concert run-throughs with all music memorized. Remind students about proper concert attire and appropriate concert behavior.
4 hours before: Arrive to begin setup.
3 hours before: Students arrive for dress rehearsal/walk-through.
30 minutes before: All dress rehearsals should be finished as audience begins to arrive.
When concert begins: Enjoy each moment and bask in the success of all your hard work.

Holiday Music

It's hard to think about Christmas when Halloween isn't over yet, but the time for students to begin practicing Christmas music is now. Christmas recitals and concerts are usually scheduled one to three weeks before Christmas and it takes time to prepare. The choirs and bands that I teach meet only once per week for rehearsals, so we begin the fall semester every year by working on Christmas music.

There are many good Christmas books available for piano students: Bastien Christmas for Adults, Alfred's Basic Adult Christmas Hits, and Piano Adventures Christmas books, just to name a few. Christmas Favorites is a good Christmas collection available for solo band instruments. This year, one of the bands that I conduct is using Sounds of the Season. Each piece may be played as a solo or ensemble with any combination of instruments. Another good holiday ensemble series is Yamaha Christmas Ensemble.

Whatever music selections you choose, don't hesitate to begin preparing now for holiday concerts, holiday recitals, and holiday fun.