5 Keys to Picking Great Kids Choir Music

5 KEYS TOP PICKING KIDS MUSIC_640x361 by Vince Wilcox

Discover Worship offers more than 230 kids anthems, musicals, and collections that are easy to learn and fun to sing! As you consider these incredible children's titles, we offer these 5 keys to picking great kids music...

1. Memorable

Kids are like big people, only smaller. The more they like something, the more they’ll want to do it. When it comes to picking great kids’ music, you can’t lose with catchy, singable melodies. I just checked, YouTube’s “Baby Shark” video clip has more than 2.2 BILLION views! That’s what we in the music industry call “sticky.” The more kids like a song, the more they’ll want to sing it. Choosing memorable music makes your job as kids choir director exponentially easier.

2. Biblical

Sometimes what goes without saying should be said. Because we’re teaching our kids about God through song lyrics, we need to exercise great care about the words that are attached to these memorable melodies. How well do these songs represent the truths revealed in Scripture? If a song’s theology is dubious or absent, consider choosing another song. Even old chestnuts like “If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands” may not have great theology—the lyrics are just there to get the kids to clap, stomp, and shout. As an alternative, check out Don Turney's "Clap Your Hands" that sets the action song lyrics into a biblical context.

3. Musical

Kids choir may be a child’s first exposure to the discipline of music. It’s the perfect opportunity to teach very basic music theory (i.e. notes, rhythm, harmony, dynamics) as well as core singing techniques (i.e. tone, breath support, posture). Don’t settle for kids singing words off a flip chart. We recommend looking into graded kids choir curriculums such as those developed by the “Growing in Grace” educators at Celebrating Grace. Training a children’s choir today means your church will have a competent adult choir in the years to come.

4. Emotional

Sure, novelty and action songs are fun, but make sure to pick some children’s choir pieces that will work their way into the hearts of your young singers—and their parents. As you know, a lot of teens who leave church when they get their driver’s licenses don’t return until they have kids of their own. Sometimes, the best way to a parent’s heart is through the voice of their child. Make sure you’ve chosen songs that can speak deeply into their hearts.

5. Attainable
It’s okay to pick music that’s a little challenging, as long as you have the time and resources to help the kids master it. Nothing turns a kid off more than crashing and burning onstage. Likewise, few things are as inspiring as learning something you didn’t know and then doing something well that you’ve never done before. Kids choir is a wonderful opportunity for children to develop a sense of pride in their communal performance. That’s why it’s important to balance challenge with attainability. Help them win, and they’ll want to stay in the game.

Check out these other great Discover Worship blogs about kids choir!