If you sing in a choir then chances are, you don’t need to be sold on its benefits. Choir singing has been found in many studies to do amazing things (including boosting the immune system) and forming part of one can also boost your social skills. If the anniversary of your choir is coming up or you want to celebrate a seasonal event, why not throw a themed party? Doing so will add a special touch to your event, make it memorable, and show your fellow choir singers that you are willing to go the extra mile. Once you decide on the theme, make sure the music fits the ambience, mood, and music perfectly.
Establishing a Theme and Dress Code
Enlist the help of your closest friends in the choir and brainstorm ideas for your theme. The theme can be build around music, but you can also go the other way around, using a theme you fancy and building your repertoire around the theme. This can work especially well when throwing seasonal parties. For instance, to celebrate the summer solstice, you might decide on a sea-inspired event. This can be elegant (a poolside cocktail party with a blue-only dress code is rather swish) or fun and fabulous (many summer parties work around sea-inspired movies like The Little Mermaid or Pirates of the Caribbean). When deciding on costumes for your party, ensure your guests can find them quickly and at a good price. You can even pick a colour - for instance, blue for a sea-inspired event - so people can quickly put together the perfect party ensemble.
Choosing Songs to Perform
A party for a choir would be nothing without music. This is especially true if family members and friends will be in attendance. If as mentioned above you opt for a sea theme for an upcoming summer party, your repertoire might include Beethoven’s Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt, Britten’s Hymn to Cecilia, and Paul Halley’s The Grey Selchie. Purcell’s Come Away Fellow Sailors and Mozart’s Placido e il Mar can also work well. Of course, you can always mix in a few tongue-in-cheek numbers, including (why not?) Disney’s Under the Sea!
Building the Ambience
Whether you choose a home or a party/events venue for your event, make sure it captures the spirit of your chosen theme to perfection. The venue should be large enough to incorporate a space for your choir to perform. It should also lend itself nicely to touches such as candles, table décor, and extras like a photo booth with props that will be ideal for Instagram photos and stories. Consider renting out a helium tank for balloons, since this is an affordable way to add a festive ambience to your party. Pay attention to smaller details as well - including flowers and themed decorations for your table, candles that suit your theme, and party banners and wall decorations. The food you serve should also respect your theme. Aside from the usual finger foods, look into touches like a fondant cake decorated with elements from your theme, cupcake toppers, and foods shaped into relevant shapes.
If an important occasion is coming up and you wish to celebrate it with your choir mates, make it a themed occasion for that extra touch of fun. Pick a venue with good acoustics; one that is large enough to enable guests to enjoy a mini performance. Fill the space with the sound of beautiful tunes that are inspired on your theme, ensuring to include a blend of classical and modern tunes.
