Choir is the easiest activity in this guide to outfit. The whole list fits on one hand. Concert clothes, a folder, a pencil, a water bottle.
The investment in choir is time and lessons, not gear. Read this guide quickly because there isn’t much to read.
Ages 5–7 (Children’s choir or starter)
Concert clothes
Most children’s choirs have a “concert uniform” they specify: usually a white top and black bottom, or a t-shirt provided by the program with black bottoms.
Cost range: $20–40 if you don’t already have the basics.
A water bottle
Singing dehydrates kids fast. A water bottle is non-negotiable.
Cost range: $15–35.
That is the entire kit at this age. Most starter choirs are free or low-tuition through schools, churches, or community programs.
Ages 8–10 (Elementary choir or community children’s chorus)
This is when many kids audition for community choirs. These are often regional honor groups (e.g., a city children’s chorus). They are auditioned-only and have higher expectations.
Concert dress (specified by program)
Most community children’s chorus programs specify a uniform: usually a tuxedo shirt and black pants for boys, a black dress for girls. The program will tell you exactly what to buy.
Cost range: $50–150 depending on what the program specifies.
A music folder
Most programs provide one with the program’s name. Plan on $15 to $30.
A pencil
Choir kids mark their music. Mechanical pencils with eraser caps are standard.
Cost range: $1–5.
Tuition
Community children’s choruses typically charge $300 to $1,000 a year in tuition. Some have audition fees ($25 to $75).
Ages 11–12 (Middle school choir)
Most middle schools have at least one choir program. Some have multiple (men’s choir, women’s choir, mixed, jazz/show choir).
Concert clothes (program-specified)
Same as before. Black/white concert dress is the typical uniform. Show choir programs may have flashier outfits and require purchase.
Cost range: $80–250 if show choir requires costumes.
Show choir gear (if applicable)
Show choir is its own ecosystem. Costumes, dance shoes, choreography fees, and competition fees can add $500 to $2,000 a year.
Optional: private voice lessons
Voice lessons start to make sense at this age for kids who want to take it seriously. $40 to $100 per half hour, weekly.
Ages 13–14 and 15+ (High school choir)
High-school choirs are typically tuition-free (it’s a class). The expenses come from concert dress, performance fees, and travel for competitions or honor choirs.
Concert dress (formal)
Most high-school programs require formal concert dress: tuxedo shirt and pants for boys, full-length black dress for girls. The program may sell or recommend specific suppliers.
Cost range: $100–250.
Performance fees
Some programs charge per-event fees ($25 to $75) for major performances or trips.
Travel for honor choirs and festivals
If your kid auditions into state or regional honor choir, plan on $200 to $600 in travel and registration per event.
Audition fees for college auditions
If your kid is auditioning for college music programs, $50 to $150 per school audition plus travel.
How to support a choir kid (since there’s no gear to choose)
Two things matter more than the gear list:
One. Vocal health. Hydration, sleep, and not yelling at sports games are the three rules. Singing requires healthy vocal cords. Kids who shred their voices at football games and then try to sing on Sunday have a bad time.
Two. Practice space and time. A small Bluetooth speaker, a music stand, and a quiet room. That’s the home practice setup. Five to fifteen minutes a day of singing through the rep beats one hour of cramming the night before a concert.
A few honest notes
Choir is the most under-recognized music activity. Kids in choir get the same musicianship development as band kids, often with more harmony and ensemble training, at a fraction of the cost.
If your kid is auditioning for honor choir or community children’s chorus, the audition is the cost. Once they’re in, the program-provided gear and music make ongoing costs minimal.
Show choir is a different sport. If your kid does show choir, expect the costume and travel costs to dwarf the regular choir budget.
— Maren