To me, it doesn't seem like a deluge of rep for Advent and Christmas. I plan enough ahead of time. The longer I conduct my adult choir, the better I'm able to plan for them. Starting two weeks ago, I was able to start on repertoire for the first 4 Sundays in Epiphany. I started rehearsing this year's Advent and Christmas music in October.

 

At least with my adult choir, I do a mix of rep. that's new and rep that is very familiar. 

 

What do you mean by Advent/Christmas music comes out 10.24.13 next year?

I always started Advent/Christmas music the first rehearsal of October.  Beginning with the new things and building with the familar, I also let the choir vote on what piece from the previous year would be done again. Advent/Christmas music would be rehearsed during the last part of rehearsal--and yes, I would plot it out.

 

The first two rehearsals of the choir year, I handed them a ballot with three selections (which I thought would work with the current lectionary) from the previous year and announced which piece won at the third rehearsal.  One vote per choir member attending those rehearsals ONLY and I limited the passing out of the ballots to two rehearsals to get as many folks as possible HOWEVER if you weren't at those rehearsals, you didn't get a vote.  That encouraged people to come when choir started for the year, believe me! We also had a tradition of always singing the Parker/Shaw arrangement of, "Lo How A Rose," at the candlelight Christmas Eve service as well so two pieces were always "in the bag"...that helped.

 

I began looking at Advent/Christmas music on the hottest day in July....seemed appropriate...and helped me develop my stratagy for fall rehearsals.  I could also decide which pieces I wanted to include in the *election* from the previous year--I made little notes on how they went on my own copy--some never made the *repeat* pile!

 

Take care and relax--we're in the home stretch now!

 

Marie