9. Developing Your Skills
You may have lots of experience of working with adults, and the skills needed to get the best out of them. But to work with children you may need to develop new skills and adapt your leadership methods.
Your young musicians may have as much to teach you as you have to teach them. Relish that opportunity to develop your skills.
What children need from you
Your existing skills and knowledge will to a large extent equip you musically to involve children and young people. However, the ways in which children learn most effectively, the level of their existing knowledge and skills, their attention spans are all likely to be different to what you are familiar with among your adult musicians. You will need to spend more time, initially at least, on things you take for granted – such as how to read music, read psalm pointing, or follow the structure of a service. You may also have to develop the softer skills you will need to communicate effectively and engagingly with children, to motivate them, keep them focussed and lead their learning. Think about what they need from you, and plan your sessions with them carefully to maximise their impact.
Learn from others
Partnerships within your church or school settings can help here. If you work in schools, try to work alongside teachers or teaching assistants who can guide you or provide models of engagement which you can adopt. In the church setting, bring onside anyone with more experience than you have of working with children, and get them involved.
Learn with the RSCM
The RSCM offers regular sessions to support and train music leaders, online and in-person. Keep an eye on the events listings.
The updated Choir Trainer pathway of our Church Music Skills programme will be available later in 2025.
Our Emerging Leader programme offers support for those at the start of their journey of musical leadership, and our courses for young people including the RSCM Youth Choir now intentionally include input on developing leadership skills for participants.
The Voice for Life Guide to Choir Training is a helpful printed resource available from the RSCM Music Shop.
And don’t forget to read Church Music Quarterly which includes regular advice and case studies of developing and working with choirs.
