ECM Blog

Virtual Choir Made Easy

by John Parker
Virtual Choir Made Easy
A simple, step-by-step guide for setting up virtual choir sessions
Posted in choir, Church, Educational, planning, Resources, sacred, School, virtual

7 Ways To Show Your Choir You Love Them

by John Parker
7 Ways To Show Your Choir You Love Them
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and everyone is focused on showing that special someone just how much you care for them. It is also a great time for choir directors everywhere to show our choirs how much we care about them.
Posted in Church, Educational, Encouragement, Inspiration, Love, sacred, School, valentines

Mid-Year Posture Check

by John Parker
Mid-Year Posture Check
It’s always a good time to stop and have a quick mid-year posture check.  I hope these simple reminders are helpful to you as you shape singers of all kinds.
Posted in Church, Educational, Posture, School

How The Grinch Stole Music

by John Parker
How The Grinch Stole Music
Keys to a Positive Attitude During Holiday Performance Prep Week
Posted in advent, Advice, Choirs, Christmas, Church, Encouragement, Inspiration, School, Support

Advice For Running The Choral Marathon

by John Parker
Advice For Running The Choral Marathon

Employing Priorities for a Lifelong Pursuit of Choral Excellence

Posted in Church, Encouragement, help, planning, School, Support

How To Start A Fine Arts Academy In Your School Or Community

by John Parker
How To Start A Fine Arts Academy In Your School Or Community
  A fine arts academy is a program of the local school or community which provides excellent training in the arts to individuals of varying ages a...
Posted in fine arts academy, Resources, School

Choir Is For Everyone!

by John Parker
Choir Is For Everyone!

“Not every singer is suited to every choir, BUT there is a choir suitable for EVERY singer!”

Posted in Choirs, Church, Educational, Encouragement, Inspiration, School

Tips For Teaching New Tunes

by John Parker
Tips For Teaching New Tunes
     Summer is over and choirs are back and already hard at work. Choral directors all over the world are busy teaching new songs to their choriste...
Posted in Advice, Church, Educational, planning, School

Director Tips For Choir Recruiting

by John Parker
Director Tips For Choir Recruiting
Fall is just around the corner and it’s time to begin thinking about adding to your ensemble’s numbers. Since fall is the beginning of a new annua...
Posted in 2019 TOPS, Advice, Church, planning, School

How To Get ‘RRRRREFRESHED’ This Summer

by John Parker
How To Get ‘RRRRREFRESHED’ This Summer

When school is in session, the pressure is on, and the schedule is non-stop! Sometimes it’s hard to tell where one day ends and the next one begins. Your days are super demanding and there is an endless line of people requiring your constant attention. The mad dash toward the spring concert is a giant whirlwind of endless details.


Then...in a moment…it’s all over. Whew! Finally!! School is out. Now…what to do this summer? There are many ways to fill your time this summer, but consider these five R’s as a formula for maximizing your time.

Posted in Advice, Educational, Encouragement, Inspiration, School, Support, Tips

4 Simple Ways To Affirm Your Singers

by John Parker
4 Simple Ways To Affirm Your Singers
As directors, working to keep a positive atmosphere among our singers can be challenging. So, here are four simple and timely reminders to help us all maintain a positive and affirming environment within our ensembles.
Posted in 2019 TOPS, Church, Educational, Encouragement, Inspiration, School, Tips

What To Do With Your Choir In May?

by John Parker
What To Do With Your Choir In May?

Our contests and concerts are over

Easter has come and gone too

There’s still six weeks until summer

Oh, what is my choir to do?

Posted in church, educational, encouragement, help, planning, school