Choir Assessment

• Check the time and date for your visit - write it on the school whiteboard in big letters. There is very little wriggle room for changes in our timetable.
• Aim to have your choir ready to start at least 5 minutes earlier, with water bottles, Songbooks, and a pencil.
• Keep reminding your choir to practise the songs, choreography and signing via the App or the website.
• Have a think about which songs you would like some help with.

To best prepare your students for success make the time to go to the ‘How to be a great choir’ and ‘Choir Rubric’ pages in the Songbook. Discuss the criteria that “YOU as singers” are responsible for.

Please talk to your choir about the purpose of the Choir Assessment visit, revisiting behaviour, working as a great team, and singing expectations. Continue to reinforce the importance of students 'doing your best' and having fun.

Choirs who are prepared and understand the reason for this visit are likely to be engaged learners and enjoy the session.

The visiting conductor will:

• chat with your choir about favourite song/s and how the students think they are going
• reinforce the Choir Rubric and the ‘How to be a great choir’ expectations
• do a quick warm up
• listen to the songs your choir has been practising and provide conducting cues to support your choir's performance
• either use the backing tracks or work with your accompanist
• 'find and fix' areas of difficulty your choir may be having
• watch choreography and signing.

The visiting conductor will gain a sense of where the choir fits in the Choir Rubric.

No pressure – take a breath, encourage your students to be the best they can and just keep practising your songs and choir skills.

At all times we expect your choir to behave in a positive and respectful manner.

A well-prepared choir will:

• be focussed and ready to sing
• take part in the rehearsal with enthusiasm and energy
• do and be their best
• stand, sit and sing as cued by the visiting conductor
• show evidence of starting to develop appropriate performing behaviours
• save the talking and sharing for another time.

All teachers/staff are reminded that they have a duty of care to supervise their choir and to always manage their behaviour AT ALL TIMES. It is NOT the responsibility of the assessor to manage the behaviour of your choir.

Teachers' duty of care can be exhibited in different capacities including discreet instruction, observing from a distance or even participating in the assessment. Duty of care does not include being on a device.