30 Choral Director Interview Questions & Answers
1. How many choruses should their be in a choir program?
How to Answer
Depending on the size of the school, your administration may have expectations on the amount of choirs. Describe for the interviewer how you will live up teaching all the choirs. Cast some of your own vision, as well.
1st Answer Example
"From the job description, I believe I can handle the five choirs in a work-day. I would even be willing to grow the program, and have before school choir for more intermediate students. The more music could only enhance the academics at this school."
2. What do you still want to accomplish in your teaching career?
How to Answer
There are always dreams to be had. Describe what is still ahead for you. Maybe the school can be a part of it when you least expected it. This is what makes a new job opportunity so exciting.
1st Answer Example
"In the future, I want to do more signing professionally. Teaching students to sing has been my career, and I want it to stay that way. I just want opportunities to show students I am working on my craft, too."
3. Share a time you successfully handled classroom discipline.
How to Answer
Classroom discipline can be hard. But, there are moments of success. Speak to a time you handled the situation fairly, yet directly. The interviewer wants to see that you can handle rules, without things getting out of hand.
1st Answer Example
"I had a student bullying another in my men's choir class one year. In the moment I witnessed the bullying, I stopped it in its tracks. After class, I called the bullying student into my office and we had a heart-to-heart. I asked how he was doing and what was going on with the other student. I never saw it happen in my class again, but I still told the couselor about the issue, just in case."
4. How has choir impacted you?
How to Answer
The impact that choir can have on a person is amazing. The interviewer wants to see that impact within you. Share with passion and excitement in this portion, for sure.
1st Answer Example
"Choir has been with me from a young age. I feel blessed to have had music teachers that have invested in me. They saw more in me than I saw in myself, and that has made all the difference in the world."
5. How do you create a healthy culture with a mixed choir?
How to Answer
Boys and girls can be a challenge to work together. But, with the right prompting, success can be had. Share how your create healthy boundaries that breed success in your choirs.
1st Answer Example
"When it comes to mixed choirs, I have a no dating policy. Things just get messy when this happens. So, in the disclousre, they sign their dating rights away. This might sound intense, but it makes for a big headache if a break-up happens within the choir. My students have understood and even left the choir, though rarely, if the relationship was that important to them."
6. What question do you have about our choral program?
How to Answer
Asking a question back to the interviewer can be a vital part of any interview. Prepare some ahead of time to give you clarity about the program. This way, you can come in with more perspective, if you do get the job.
1st Answer Example
"My question revolves around the finances of the choir. What is allocated per year for trips, new music, etc.? This way, I can plan better for future needs in this program."
7. Speak about a time where you gave a solo to the wrong student. How did you change your course of action the next time?
How to Answer
Every choral director will make a mistake at some point in their career. The important thing is knowing how to fix it the next time. This part of reflection is essential for an interviewer to see how you have responded in times of challenge.
1st Answer Example
"There was one time where I picked a female student for a solo on a very challenging piece. They had the best voice for the song, but they did not have the work ethic. It turned out the solo did not go very well. I learned that sometimes I do not have to pick the best vocally pleasing singer, but rather the one who is most committed to working on their craft."
8. How do you mix up your teaching with choir?
How to Answer
Doing the same thing over and over again can be a drag for students. Share how you spice up choir. Change is the best way to get more out of your students.
1st Answer Example
"In a normal class, we have a warm-up and then work on pieces we are working on. But to mix things up, I like to play some music games and work with some theory. I do it rarely enough that students ask me when we are doing it next."
9. How important are choir festivals in your estimation?
How to Answer
Choir festivals can be a great way to showoff the talents of a school. They are also a benchmark for where you fall with other schools. Explain the value of this type of extra event with your choirs.
1st Answer Example
"An extra event like this is an imperative one for any school. I believe festivals grow student choirs like none other. They get a chance to perform and compete against other schools around. There is no better way to see what a choir is worht for their own personal growht and beyond."
10. How would you handle a situation where the administration wants to run your concert one more night because it was sold out? What would you do?
How to Answer
Sometimes, things come up that can be hard to make a decision on. This scenario is one of them. Be clear with your answer, but have some flexibility mixed in.
1st Answer Example
"If this happened, I would certainly want to talk with students and parents first. It would be hard to make this happen on such short notice. But, if the adminstration understood that the concert may be shorted, with less student participation, I would be willing to put on the best concert possible."
11. How do you get parents involved with chorus?
How to Answer
Parents are an integral part of any student choir. A teacher needs to have ways they can be involved, as well. Think through some options that parents could partake in.
1st Answer Example
"Parents are a big part of what I do with choirs. I need their assistance as chaperones, as well as at the ticket booth when we have concerts. Of course, I want them to celebrate with us at the end of the year, when thinking through parties."
12. How would you build a choir culture?
How to Answer
Building a culture can be a huge leap of faith. But, when it comes to choir, administrators want to believe that you can create something better than what you started with. Speak to steps you will take to enhance cultural movement at the school.
1st Answer Example
"To build culture, I plan to ask more of myself. Vision starts and ends with me. Then, when I have students on-board, real change can take place for the better. I want culture to be something that students come back for because of the commitment they had at the very beginning."
User-Submitted Answer
"Building a culture is how you build your choir program. I attended a session at a conference that talked all about building a choral community, there were many amazing ideas. My favorite idea was having a choir camp. Building cultures starts with the director, with their vision. Then they get students on board, and from there you create a perpetual culture."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Amanda Knight Reviewed the Above Answer
Fostering an inclusive and positive choral culture isn't done by accident. It takes purposeful action guided by a strong vision. Building that culture starts with good communication that builds rapport with members. It's also important that members feel you are approachable so that they can ask questions, discuss concerns, and share about the things they love and enjoy about the choir. Building a culture also requires having a structured rehearsal plan. Having a plan creates an atmosphere of calm and preparation that ultimately helps you achieve much better results.
13. What do you think through when planning a trip with a choir?
How to Answer
Planning a choir trip is no small task. The interviewer needs to believe that they can trust you. There is liability at stake, and administrators need their full confidence in you.
1st Answer Example
"I take planning a trip real serious. I have students' lives at stake and I do not want to miss a thing. I also make sure to have chaperones invovled, so they can help oversee all the students on any trip."
14. How many public performances should take place in a school year?
How to Answer
There is certainly a need for public performances at a school, when it comes to choir, but there has to be a balance. Share your vision for how many concerts there should be a year. Be honest, but be flexible at the same time.
1st Answer Example
"At this school, it looks like the tradition has been once a semester. Personally, I am fine to start here, but I would like to give my upper choirs a chance to shine once a quarter, if posssible. I would even be fine with three times per year."
15. How does chorus impact a community?
How to Answer
Any type of group can make a big impact on a community. Choir is no different within this mindset. Explain to the interviewer how you will continue to make choir a part of the community at the school and beyond.
1st Answer Example
"Chorus should be a big part of any community. I believe chorus brings light to people's lives when they need it most. I hope to instill this within my student to understand how they will be help generations to come."
User-Submitted Answer
"Any group can make a difference in the community. I think it's about being visible. Supporting the community, as well as performing for the community will teach the students the importance of community."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Amanda Knight Reviewed the Above Answer
With this question, the interviewer is trying to gain insight into how you see chorus positively impacting the larger community. It's important to be more specific than general in your response so that your answer is more memorable and unique to you. In your experience, how has chorus strengthened a feeling of connectedness, expanded awareness of the importance of the arts, or inspired people to gather for a positive purpose? If possible, share a specific example of a time when a chorus event positively impacted your local community.
16. How do you handle a student who is constantly late to rehearsals?
How to Answer
With any class, students are bound to be late time and again. But, the interviewer wants to see how you handle a situation where a student is constantly late. Speak about your protocol and what are the next steps.
1st Answer Example
"When it comes to a student who is constantly late, I will not belittle them in front of the rest of the class. Instead, I will pull them aside after class, and remind them of the rules and consequences. But, first, I want to ask if they are doing alright. Sometimes, there are unforseen circumstances that I am not aware of."
User-Submitted Answer
"If there is a student who is constantly late, I will pull them aside after class and remind them of the rules and their responsibilities. I will also make sure that everything is okay, sometimes there can be behind-the-scene things that are impacting our students."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Amanda Knight Reviewed the Above Answer
This question gives you the opportunity to highlight your empathy and ability to actively listen to understand and solve problems because you're right - there can be reasons beyond carelessness that cause someone to be late. Consider expanding your answer by explaining how you'd ask probing questions to understand the specific situation before reminding him or her about the importance of timeliness. If you've handled a similar issue before, share how you approached the situation, how the student reacted, and what the positive outcome was. This shows the interviewer that you know how to connect with members and help redirect undesirable behavior.
17. What does the balance of voices in a high school choir sound like?
How to Answer
Having a balance in any choir is imperative for success. Speak with the interviewer on how you will make this work. Share the numbers of people you have in a choir, the techniques, etc.
1st Answer Example
"When it comes to my Madrigal choir, I have more girls than boys. The reason is the purity of the vocal sounds gets overwhelmed with too many male voices. So, the priority of focusing around the females will be the standpoint of this choir."
18. How do you attract male voices to choir?
How to Answer
Over the years, getting males to sing in a choir has been a hard ask. But, an interviewer wants to grasp how you can motivate these type of students. Share your perspective on how you can help bring talent out to the forefront.
1st Answer Example
"To help attract male voices, I would work on my present students to help be my eyes and ears. If they know of some male voices to pursue, I would ask their help to make things happen. Coming from a student, more males would want to join."
19. How do you handle a situation where a choir member is also on the football team, and there is a conflict with both things happening at the same time?
How to Answer
An interviewer wants to see how you handle this situational experience. Every student and teacher will come to opportunities in life where flexibility needs to be shown. Share how you would approach this by being fair to both sides.
1st Answer Example
"If my student was also a part of the football team, I would have to work something out with the football coach. I am all about flexibility and would hope the football coach would be as well. Having compromise is all about life."
20. What makes a quality choral sound?
How to Answer
Every choral director has their understanding of what makes a quality choral sound. Share with the interviewer on how you get the best sound out of your students. Examples from past choirs can help in this area.
1st Answer Example
"At the last school I was part of, I worked with a men's choir that was struggling with staying on pitch. So, we talked about techniques to keep the pitch from being flat, which was most often the case. Over time, the practice that was put in gave the student a better understanding of what sound we all were looking for."
21. How imperative are musicals in a school setting?
How to Answer
Not all schools will have musicals. But, traditionally, most schools have musicals to showcase their talents. Cast your vision for a school musical, if this is where the administration wants to head. Give detail to hit the point home.
1st Answer Example
"I believe school musicals bring about a sense of community for many students from all walks of life. Students can be a part of something that maybe they never saw in themselves before. Since the legacy of this school has had musicals, I would love to continue it."
22. Are 'show' choirs vital to a choral program?
How to Answer
'Show' choirs have had their value over the years. But, not all schools think so. Communicate with the interviewer where you stand with 'show' choirs. But, know your audience.
1st Answer Example
"I believe 'show' choirs have been more of a fad than a trend. I noticed that the school does not have a 'show' choir. What are the intentions of the administration for a "
23. How important is an accompanist in a choir setting?
How to Answer
Accompanists are super valuable in a choir setting. If you can be the accompanist, you will save the school money. But, at the same time, being a director only can help students do their best, while having an accompanist on the side. Just communicate your preference to the administration up front.
1st Answer Example
"I believe being an accompanist and directing or directing only with an accompanist have their values. I am fine with whatever helps the school. Personally, my preference would be to have an accompanist for concerts, but I can be the accompanist during rehearsals."
24. When should a student begin private lessons and why?
How to Answer
Private lessons can vary for students. The interviewer wants to see what your philosophy is. This way, they will have a better idea of what you will be promoting in your classroom.
1st Answer Example
"Children between 7 and 9-years-old are ready for vocal lessons, but individuals can start any time after that. I believe it is a real value to get vocal lessons on top of being in a choir. There are so many life lessons students can take in from being in both."
25. How should sacred music be used in a choral setting?
How to Answer
Sacred music is some of the oldest on planet Earth. But, more and more schools are taking this kind of music out of concerts. Understand where the district falls on this topic, but be honest about what you want. You certainly do not want a job where you do not have the freedom you want.
1st Answer Example
"The last school I was at allowed sacred music. I personally believe it has great structure for students to follow and strengthen their skills. But, I noticed at this school, sacred music is not allowed. I am not opposed to this, and will do my very best to bring in pieces that are valuable to my choirs."
26. What are your thoughts on same-sex ensembles?
How to Answer
Schools across the United States have different viewpoints on if same-sex choirs are essential or not. An interviewer will ask this question to see where you fall. Make sure you know the school perspective before you come in trying to change things. Or be clear what you want, so there will not be heartbreak later.
1st Answer Example
"I noticed that the school has historically had same-sex choirs. Personally, I believe they are great for beginning singers. It builds a vocal community. Then, as students get better and better, then can get into mixed choirs to heighten their skills even more."
27. How do you work through jealousy in a choir?
How to Answer
Competition can bring the worst out in people. But, a quality teacher speaks about competition and how it grows community, not hurts it. Share with the interviewer how you communicate this with choral classes.
1st Answer Example
"Jealousy presents itself in any choir. But, I work to talk about this early and often with my classes. Choirs need to be a family. If they are not, choirs fails. I want to get the best out of my choirs, so this is essential for success."
28. What is the protocol if a soloist calls in sick the day of the concert?
How to Answer
Over the course of a teaching career, choral directors will have a student or two get sick on the day of the concert. This is a very frustrating occurrence. But, the interviewer wants to see if you can keep your head on straight to think clearly moving forward.
1st Answer Example
"I have had this happen before sadly. Luckily, I had another student prepare just in case. I am glad I did. I do this everytime now. Even if the back-up does not get to sing, they are working their way up to have a solo down the road."
29. When a choir does not like the piece they are working on, how do you solve the problem?
How to Answer
All your students are not going to like the pieces you sing. So, share with the interviewer how you have handled this situation before. Or share how you would deal with this if it ever happens to you.
1st Answer Example
"I had a classical piece a few years back that the majority of student loathed. Instead of throwing it out altogether, I made a deal with the students. If they worked their very best, I would allow them to pick a song to do the next semester. Things worked out and the students stayed positive, even if they still did not like the song."
User-Submitted Answer
"Not everybody will like the music that I pick out, I think student input is valuable though. I would like to take input from the students on songs that they would like to sing, as well as what I choose."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Amanda Knight Reviewed the Above Answer
As the chorus leader, it's ultimately up to you to balance choosing music that is challenging, impactful, and fun for members to sing. Asking for input and suggestions from choir members helps give them a sense of ownership and can help you avoid changes later on in the process or a lack of enthusiasm from those singing. Talk about how you solicit member ideas or feedback and how you use that information to help choose music that's engaging for everyone.
30. How do you create different choir formations?
How to Answer
Having different choir formations allows your choirs to be successful in different ways. Speak to a time you had separate formations for different choirs and/or at different venues. This way, you can prove to the interviewer that you create schemes for best results.
1st Answer Example
"A couple of years ago, my Madrigals choir had the opportunity to sing at the local Cathedral. The echo in the church is real and our normal formation going boy, girl, boy, girl was causing some problems during rehearsal. So, I separated the choir apart to help them hear each other better. It worked out in the end and the effect had an even better sound from the students. The students certainly were frustrated at first and then positive when they could hear each other at the end."