Growing challenges in recruiting singers has led to creative tactics and new successes

A children's chorus manager is at at an impasse in moving her organization forward with the ambitious artistic plans for future growth. Several experts weigh in on how she should proceed.

There is plenty of evidence that singing in a choir helps students succeed in school, work, and life. And yet, today choral programs are under siege—competition for school dollars, time in the school day, and a narrow focus on just a few subjects covered on standardized tests all pose significant challenges to the future of school choirs.

An influx of new programs are beginning to recognize the value of keeping boys singing—through changing voices and for a lifetime.

Participation in a children's chorus yields a return on investment that might seem hard to quantify at first. Parents talk about the many rewards—growing confidence, enhanced musical knowledge and skill, an ability to work together in an accepting, nurturing community, opportunities to travel and learn about other cultures, close friendships—and the challenges of such an investment.

There is perhaps no more fitting metaphor for bridging discord than voices joined in harmony.