Directing a Church Children's Choir 101

Ashley Danyew/Directing a Church Children's Choir 101 (Lite)

Buy for $179 Buy for 3 monthly payments of $68.50

$179 or 3 monthly payments of $68.50

Learn the skills, strategies, and resources you need to plan, direct, and teach your children's choir this year.

A 4-part, self-paced online training course for K-6 choir directors

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If we're being honest:

Planning engaging, intentional, musical rehearsals for your children's choir, week in and week out, can be challenging.

From finding relevant, *high-quality* resources to choosing developmentally-appropriate songs and anthems to preparing, introducing, and properly sequencing new musical concepts and skills throughout the year, the job can seem *overwhelming* at times.

Where do you find music and materials?
How do you develop musicianship in young singers?
What makes a rehearsal fun and productive?

Imagine if you could learn how to lead and teach creatively and confidently and had all the tools and resources you needed, right at your fingertips.

You'd spend more time *enjoying* rehearsals and watching your young singers learn and grow and less time feeling like you didn't get to everything you'd hoped. Your teaching time would be more intentional and streamlined and you'd feel more confident in your leadership skills and ability to teach effectively.

Introducing

Directing a Church Children's Choir 101

An online training course designed for children's choir directors in church settings

Whether you're a full-time staff member or a dedicated volunteer, whether you have a music degree or not, whether you lead a small group of six singers on Wednesday nights or oversee a large graded choir program...

This course will equip you to lead, teach, and *inspire* your young singers and give you the practical skills and useful step-by-step processes you need to plan, direct, and teach on a weekly basis.

Enroll now

Take a closer look

Here's what you'll find inside the course:

The course is divided into four modules, released over four weeks. The first module will be available immediately.

P.S. Want to take the fast track? Email me for instant access to the full course.

Audio Lessons

8 audio lessons released over 4 weeks

(listen on the go, from any device)

Workbook

A 46-page PDF workbook

(including charts, templates, and worksheets)

Lifetime Access

Full access to the course lessons and materials

Weekly Emails

Notes about each module + project

Support

Email support + comments section

(so you can get answers to your questions)

"It was far above my expectations. I felt like we were taught every step we need to take to plan, prepare for and create a successful children's choir."

Access Anywhere

Access the audio lessons + course materials anytime, from any device.

Self-Paced

Start when you're ready and work at your own pace.

Lifetime Access

Review the lessons + course materials again and again—for life!

Module 1

Planning the Choir Year

Foster spiritual growth with a list of go-to hymns and songs, devotional resources, and meaningful ways for children to participate in worship. Then, learn a step-by-step process for planning your choir year, including monthly themes, memory verses, monthly hymns or songs, challenges, activities/projects, and outreach projects.

Module 2

Working with Children's Voices

We'll talk about the importance of vocal exploration, breath and movement, warm-ups, and tessitura/range, plus a few ideas for adding in something fun/silly to keep children engaged. Learn the ins and outs of choosing music and what to look for in an anthem.

Module 3

Planning Rehearsals

Planning and being prepared for rehearsals is so important! You’ll learn some helpful score-study tips and tricks, ways to prepare/introduce new musical concepts, and get my best rehearsal advice for pacing, sequencing, and fun (musical) games and activities.

Module 4

Preparing to Teach

You’ll learn helpful strategies for developing musicianship ("rote-to-note" and music-reading, phrasing, dynamics, musical form, rhythm), teaching choral methods (breath, vowels, consonants, tone, blend, posture), vocal modeling, conducting and gestures, and using visual aids.

When can I start?

Course Schedule

Module 1 - available immediately
Module 2 - available 7 days in
Module 3 - available 14 days in
Module 4 - available 21 days in

P.S. Want to take the fast track? Email me for instant access to the full course.

Enroll now

The reviews are in

Here's what other children's choir directors are saying:

Flexible learning options

Choose from three levels:

Lite

(currently viewing)

The same 3 hours of practical lesson content as the other levels in an audio-only format. Includes: eight audio lessons and a 46-page PDF workbook with planning templates, worksheets + resources. Payment plan available.

Enroll in Lite >>

Essentials

Everything you need to start teaching and directing a children's choir. Includes: everything in the Lite level + 31 easy-to-watch video lessons and a bonus resource list. Payment plan available.

Enroll in Essentials >>

Premium

A full-access version to help you plan and organize your choir year. Includes: everything in the Essentials level + three exclusive trainings (+ PDF resource guides) and a 12-page eBook on recruitment strategies. Payment plan available.

Enroll in Premium >>

"Take Ashley's course; it's chock full of great ways to engage and inspire your children's ensemble. My own attitude toward my kids' ensemble has changed from dread to excitement at the prospect of a fresh new method this year!"

Hi, I'm Ashley Danyew

Musician & educator based in Rochester, NY

I share creative and pedagogically sound teaching ideas and resources for church musicians and music educators to help you rediscover the creative side of music teaching and learning and develop the skills you need to lead, teach, and inspire others with confidence.

With a Ph.D. in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music and over 20 years of music teaching experience in church, community, studio, and college settings, I’m dedicated to sharing what I know and what I'm learning and creating valuable, practical resources to help you do your best work.

I created this course to help you plan, direct, and teach children on a weekly basis and grow your choir ministry.

Excited to meet you inside the course!

Course Reviews

See what other directors are saying

"Valuable info and resources I can use both in church and at school."

"Practical, well-organized, and helpful."

"Very insightful, helpful, and full of awesome and excellent resources!"

“A fundamental training for working with children's choirs.”

"An awesome resource that will help you have an awesome year!"

"I enjoyed the examples and ideas and found the systems (organization) offered to be helpful. A wealth of information but the presentation is done in a way that it's not overwhelming."

"This course has given me the tools to start a 20+ member children's choir at my church. Thank you so much for your wonderful course!"

"Very helpful, confirming much of my own thinking and providing excellent resources. This course is a great use of a few hours of listening, as well as excellent, useful resources and ideas."

"I loved this course—it helped me completely re-shape my vision for our parish chime choir and make it (hopefully) more fun, educational, engaging, and spiritual."

"This course has been such a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration, as well as truly instructional. I am learning SO much and I'm feeling more equipped and confident to lead our church choir."

"This course was above and beyond what I needed to start a successful children's choir at my church."

"[I've] been coming back to this course time and time again for helpful resources, advice, and tips. This has been very useful in helping me help the kids develop their musicianship skills bit by bit, without being overwhelming. Thank you!"

"Super easy to follow and great ideas!"

$179 or 3 monthly payments of $68.50

Let's get started

Lead, teach, and inspire your young singers + develop the practical skills and step-by-step processes you need to plan, direct, and teach your children's choir this year

Enroll Today

FAQs

What other children's choir directors have asked:

Where is this course taught?

This course is taught exclusively online. Immediately after purchasing, you'll receive an email with details on how to login to a members-only website where you can access the course. Access the content 24/7, wherever you go, from any device. All course content and materials will be delivered in digital format: audio lessons, PDF downloads, and web links. Nothing physical will be shipped to you.

How much time does it take to complete?

You can complete the course in as little as four weeks (one module per week). Each module includes roughly 45 minutes of content and a corresponding project for you to work through on your own. I recommend setting aside a few hours each week.

That being said, the course is completely self-paced, so start whenever you're ready, set a schedule that works for you, and learn at your own pace.

Can I upgrade to the Essentials or Premium level after I purchase this version?

Yes! The only cost will be the price difference between the two levels. Email me at ashley@ashleydanyew.com for instructions on how to upgrade.

What if I have other questions?

Please feel free to reach out to me directly at ashley@ashleydanyew.com. I'd be happy to answer your questions!

Let's fast-forward.

By the end of this course...

You'll have a well-planned choir year and a month’s worth of rehearsal plans in place, plus an array of creative teaching strategies, a collection of helpful tools and resources, and the confidence to lead and teach on a weekly basis.

Enroll now

Flexible learning options

Choose from three levels:

$179 or 3 monthly payments of $68.50

Lite

The same 3 hours of practical lesson content as the other levels in an audio-only format so you can listen on the go. Includes: eight audio lessons and a 46-page PDF workbook with planning templates, worksheets + resources. Payment plan available.

Enroll Now

$199 or 3 monthly payments of $76

Essentials

Everything you need to start, teach, and direct a children's choir. Includes: everything in the Lite level + 31 easy-to-watch video lessons and a bonus curated resource list. Payment plan available.

Enroll Now

$219 or 3 monthly payments of $84

Premium

Enroll Now