Choosing Repertoire; A rewarding challenge 

Every year ensemble directors are faced with the perplexing issue of choosing appropriate performance repertoire for their ensembles. What are the educational values and artistic considerations that will guide and inform our choices? Do the following questions sound familiar?

• Will my students like the works I choose? Why? Does this matter?

• Will the works I choose serve and support my educational philosophy? Do the students know the works, and is this important?

• Do I like the works I choose? Why? Do I believe in their educative and artistic merit, and is this important?

• Will the school, family and community approve of my choices?

• What is the overall technical strength of my ensemble?

• Can my students meet the technical and musical challenges found within my repertoire choices?

• How long will it take to teach my repertoire choices?

• Is teaching music through’ my repertoire an important consideration? Why?

Every decision or choice we make as music educators, whether it is musical or ‘extra-musical’ will generally reflect our personal philosophy of music education. It is of vital importance that our repertoire selection balances aesthetic criteria, personal taste and educational direction.

This clinic focuses on how we can develop a basic understanding of how our chosen repertoire serves both our musical and non-musical teaching strategies and how we can best combine and advance both our educational and aesthetic goals.