Looking Backward, Looking Forward

This is a challenging time of year for choir directors. Because we have well-defined endings and beginnings to our year, we have clear endings and beginnings.

But because of the immense advance planning necessary for a school year, we are already fully invested in the next year before this one ends.

What we get is an overlap, where we split our focus between looking backward and looking forward.

Now is a great time to reflect on successes and failures, appreciate the growth of your students, and wrap up your year with finesse.

Now is also the right time to book retreats, select repertoire, and finish planning concert, festival, and trip dates.

Don’t neglect either. Let the past and future both be present in your thoughts, so one can inform the other.