Mastering the Choir Teacher Interview: 31 Crucial Questions and How to Answer Them

There’s more to becoming a choir teacher than just being able to sing well. You need to know a lot about music theory, how to teach singing, how to run a classroom, and how to get your students interested in music for life.

To help people who want to become choir teachers ace their interviews and get their dream jobs, I put together this complete guide with 31 commonly asked choir teacher interview questions and sample responses that will get you the job.

These questions aim to assess your technical knowledge, teaching philosophy, interpersonal skills, experience, and overall fit for the role. With preparation being key, let’s dive in and make sure you hit all the right notes when your interview day arrives!

Technical Questions

Hiring managers want to ensure you have a strong grasp of music theory fundamentals and vocal pedagogy before trusting you to impart that knowledge to students. Expect interviewers to probe your expertise with questions like:

1. How would you teach proper singing technique to students at various levels?

This tests your ability to adapt your teaching approach to students of different abilities and experience levels. Tailoring instruction is crucial for a choir teacher.

Sample Answer I use a scaffolded approach, starting with basic posture and breathing. For beginners, the focus is on developing fundamental skills like pitch matching and voice control through exercises and call-and-response singing

For intermediate students, I introduce more advanced techniques like vowel shaping, tone production, and vibratos. Advanced students work on polish, nuance, and harmonic exercises in small groups or through solo work. Regardless of level, I ensure techniques are practiced through songs they find engaging.

2. How do you select appropriate repertoire for choirs of different ages and skill levels?

This assesses your ability to curate a music program tailored to the unique needs and capabilities of your students.

Sample Answer: When selecting repertoire, I consider the age, skill level, and musical interests of the choir. For elementary students, I choose simpler melodies in major keys that allow them to build fundamental sight-reading skills.

For middle schoolers, I incorporate 2-3 part harmony and varied time signatures to expand their skills High school groups can handle more complex classical, global, and contemporary selections with 4-6 part harmonies and varied dynamics At all levels, I ensure songs resonate with students personally by including their musical preferences.

3. What musical concepts do you consider foundational for beginning choir students?

This tests your knowledge of core music theory and ability to break down complex concepts for beginners.

Sample Answer: The foundations I focus on are posture, breath control, pitch matching and ear training. We do physical and vocal warm-ups to establish proper breathing and voice projection techniques.

Using solfege hand symbols and moveable Do, I teach pitch relationships and sight-singing. Rhythm drills emphasize keeping tempo and feeling meter. With these fundamentals inplace, students gain skills to handle more advanced techniques down the road.

4. How do you incorporate music theory and sight-reading in choir rehearsals?

This probes your understanding of balancing practical rehearsals with building students’ musical foundations

Sample Answer: Incorporating theory and sight-reading in a contextual way is key. When working on a new piece, we’ll break down its time signature, key changes and chord progressions. I’ll highlight theoretical patterns that affect their part.

During warm-ups, we’ll do short sight-reading drills in relevant keys to reinforce knowledge. I also provide occasional theory worksheets on topics the choir is learning. This interleaved approach reinforces their musical understanding while keeping rehearsals interactive.

Teaching Philosophy

Interviewers want insight into your teaching beliefs. Be ready for questions like:

5. How do you motivate and inspire students to do their best?

This reveals your ability to engage and bring out students’ full potential.

Sample Answer: I motivate students by nurturing their passion and celebrating small wins. Getting to know their musical interests helps me select pieces they find meaningful. I encourage leadership by letting students conduct warm-ups or help peers.

Recognizing individual progress, like improved sight-reading, motivates them to keep refining their skills. Occasional low-pressure performances build confidence. My goal is to create a supportive choir culture where all students feel empowered to excel.

6. How do you foster teamwork and inclusivity among choir members?

This uncovers your strategies for creating a harmonious and collaborative choir culture.

Sample Answer: I promote inclusivity by ensuring all students feel heard and valued. We do icebreakers at the start of each year so members can share their stories and find common ground.

I recognize each student’s unique strengths during rehearsals and provide opportunities for them to mentor peers. Splitting into small groups helps students bond across sections. Occasional team-building activities like retreats strengthen relationships further. My aim is for the choir to feel like a family.

7. How do you balance group and individual goals in choir teaching?

This reveals your ability to develop the choir holistically while also nurturing each student.

Sample Answer: My choir teaching philosophy centers on the individual singers. All coaching and activities target their personal growth. Group goals like performances are framed as opportunities to showcase individual progress.

In rehearsals, I rotate student leaders so each person gets a chance in the spotlight. During competitions, I recognize personal bests. Individual check-ins ensure students are improving at their own pace. Ultimately, the choir shines when every member excels individually.

8. How do you use music education principles like Kodály or Orff in your teaching?

This probes your familiarity with established music education philosophies.

Sample Answer: I incorporate elements of Kodály, like using solfege and hand signs to teach sight singing. It helps students intuitively understand pitch and interval relationships.

From Orff, I use rhythmic movement exercises and percussion instruments to build rhythmic skills and ensemble awareness. These established methods provide excellent frameworks I can adapt to my choirs’ needs. Above all, my philosophy emphasizes engaging students’ creativity and passion.

Experience and Skills

Hiring managers will inquire about your hands-on choir directing experience using questions like:

9. What experience do you have selecting music repertoire and preparing sheet music for choirs?

This reveals your ability to take ownership of the choir’s musical selection and preparation.

Sample Answer: As part of my student teaching, I researched, ordered and prepared sheet music for three concerts. Based on the choir’s skills, I selected an engaging mix of classical, pop, and gospel music.

Using notation software, I transposed pieces into appropriate keys and created practice tracks. I also arranged music for smaller ensembles within the choir to provide leadership opportunities. This experience allowed me to curate a diverse repertoire showcasing the choir’s strengths.

10. Tell us about your experience conducting choirs of various age groups and skill levels.

This probes the depth and diversity of your hands-on conducting experience.

Sample Answer: As a student teacher, I led elementary, middle school, and high school choirs. With younger students, I focused on fundamentals like posture through fun call-and-response songs.

Middle schoolers worked on 2-3 part harmony pieces and basic sight-reading. My high school choir tackled advanced classical songs and 4-part pop arrangements. Adjusting my conducting technique and instruction style to each group allowed me to develop versatility.

11. How have you handled behavioral issues previously in a choir classroom setting?

This reveals your classroom management skills.

Sample Answer: I emphasize clear expectations and positive reinforcement in my classroom. When issues occur, I speak to students privately to understand their perspective.

For recurring problems, I involve counselors and parents to align on a plan, like a behavior chart. As a last resort, having the student shadow me or a peer mentor during rehearsal can provide guidance. The key is addressing problems quickly before they escalate or affect the whole choir.

12. Describe your experience planning and directing choir performances.

This uncovers your leadership abilities under the spotlight.

Sample Answer: As choir director of my university’s annual holiday concert, I selected music, scheduled extra rehearsals, coordinated with our band accompaniment and emceed the performance.

To boost student confidence, we also did an informal mid-term performance. My conducting aimed to evoke the emotional spirit of each song. Based on audience reactions, our hard work translating the music on the page into an engaging concert was a success.

Interpersonal Skills

Beyond musical expertise, hiring managers look for choir directors who can positively influence students and collaborate with colleagues. Example questions include:

13. How would you handle a student who lacks confidence in their singing abilities?

This tests your empathy, encouragement skills, and ability to nurture talent.

Sample Answer: I would reassure them singing takes practice and help them set small achievable goals like matching pitch. Using their favorite songs keeps them engaged as their skills improve.

I’d have them record rehearsals so they can hear their progress. Volunteering for simple parts or duets can build their confidence for