Let’s talk first days and weeks of choir! In this episode we walk through all the joys of preplanning through the first days in the classroom. We talk team building, learning names, establishing routines, community, and expectations, and all the fun in those first rehearsals. Listen for tips, ideas, inspiration, and fun!

Dr Kristen Donaldson is the Director of Choirs at Oconee County Middle School where she directs the 6th-8th grade choirs and musical theatre program. She also serves as the state coordinator for GMEA Sixth Grade Statewide Honor Chorus and Middle School R&R Chair for ACDA Southern Division. Dr Donaldson loves to travel and she is proud to have led her students to perform at Carnegie Hall, Disney World, the Grand Ol’ Opry, and in venues throughout Eastern and Western Europe.

Learn more about the choirs at Oconee County Middle School and Dr. Donaldson: www.ocmschorus.com. 

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n1kf_qX1qRY. 

Order your copy of Dr. Burch’s book, “The Business of Choir”: https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-business-of-choir-book-g10713. 

Join us over at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters for monthly meet-ups, monthly bonus episodes, special content and more!

Support the companies that make The Music (ed) Matters Podcast possible: 

—Kaleidoscope Adventures - find your adventure today, kaleidoscopeadventures.com/.  Including the June 2023 Festival and PD Weekend in Myrtle Beach with Alex & Emmy and their choirs!

— The Kinnison Choral Company - check out their quality resources - or get your tracks made today - at KinnisonChoralCo.com. 

**Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff