Beginner Choir Director needs help!

[Purplekeys]

I have been at my church for about a year now. its an apostolic church but we sing traditional/congregational songs like victory is mine, we bring the sacrifice of praise etc. I have now been made the choir director of adults and children, mind you i dont have any idea what im doing but i have a desire to do it and im am willing to learn.

Does anyone have any advice?
and how would i know how if someone is an alto or soprano?

[PianoClubhouse]

Hello and welcome to LGM! Looks like you've been thrown into the fire, but they wouldn't have appointed it to you unless they thought you had IT....congrats!

A few questions that may help us to help you:

Were you singing in the choir previously?
What happened to the previous director?
Do you play the piano?
Do you read music?
How big are the choirs?

Again, welcome!

Tj

[JoanHall]

You might want to start off with songs that have lots of unison like "I'm Available to You", "Shabach", etc.

As far as finding out whether someone is an alto or soprano, you can have each one match pitches with you as you play the piano.  In the choirs I work with, I expect sopranos to be able to hit a Db or D at the least.  Altos should be able to hit at list a Bb.  I try not to make the tenors go higher than a G.

[CReneeW]

That G, B, D advice for determining who's tenor, alto, or soprano is helpful.