Keep the boys together as one class at each grade level.  If you need three sections, split the girls in two.

 

The worst thing for a boy is to be by themselves or be in a class of altos and then their voice changes.... There are some things in life you can't control.  I don't know about your administrators, but mine wouldn't allow a schedule change because of a voice change!!

 

Naomi

I think it's very effective in middle school to rehearse boys and girls separately if you can -- they have different issues, vocally, developmentally, and socially, and it's just easier to deal with that way.

 

Clayton Parr

DePaul University, Chicago

Joseph,

1. Find out if your administration will allow you to separate the ladies and gentlemen. If so, make that your first priority.

2. How many periods a day do the students have? How many periods do you actually teach?

* If you have a 7 period day and all you teach is choir, you can ask for 2 periods of each grade level and then continue to bring in more students from there. If they allow you to split your ladies and gents, great. If not, you will have to figure out how to split the students in that particular choir. That may also depend upon other singleton classes that those students may be taking.

I can see the most difficult sell with splitting ladies and gents will be with your 7th grade choir. The administration may not be willing to allow you to teach a class with only 5 - 10 young men in it.

* If you have a 6 period day, my recommendation is to split two of the grade level choirs and combine one.

3. Are you expected to teach anything else besides choir?

4. Do you have a select ensemble in your middle school?

 

I was on the scheduling committee at my middle school every year. I would be able to help you if I knew the answers to the above questions. Feel free to email me back.

 

Laurie Cappello

Cascade High School

Everett, WA

 

 

Hi Joseph - It sounds like you have a 'wonderful' problem.  The following worked for me 30 plus years ago when I first starting teaching: basically I had all the boys in one class (7th & 8th grades) and the girls were in two separate classes 7th grade girls and 8th grade girls.  It was a very successful arrangement.  In a school of 800 I had 200 + kids singing - boys chorus of 60 to 70 and two girls choruses of close to 70 each.  I would then combine them on many selections.  So I think that some arrangement like this would be excellent.  All the best!