Ten Great Gifts for Choir Teachers

Whether your choir teacher is a school music maker or a private singing coach, choosing the best gift for choir teachers is an undertaking that many will find somewhat daunting. From musical notes on everything from shower caps to toilet seats, what is a choir student to do? Should you succumb to the urge to say it with a cheesy gift card? A well appreciated tip for a paid voice tutor is appropriate, but when your choir teacher is a school voice instructor, making the right holiday choice is sometimes difficult. Here is a list of some tried and true great gifts for choir teachers. Good luck:

Music themed stationary - Drum Bum has a beautiful set of eight blank black cards with envelopes. A rushed-looking illustration of musical notes appears on a black background, a stylistic gift that is sure to make your choir teacher wonder just how they will use them. For $5.95, you can get this set of unique stationary or check out the other note cards for other great gifts. Albert's Gifts sells many types of music themed gifts including stationary and desk sets as well as music pens and pencils.

Opera Glasses - If you are looking for a beautiful, yet inexpensive set of opera glasses for your favorite choir teacher, consider a pair from Albert's Gifts. For just $39.98, Albert's carries a beautiful set of opera glasses in a black felt carrying case. The glasses are black and gold tone and come with a cleaning cloth for the lenses. Binoculars.com carries a full line of opera glasses from simple to ornate.

A ticket to a Musical - A gift that many choir teachers really enjoy is the gift of tickets to a musical. Whether you spring for passes to a college production of Cats or decide on high end theater tickets to see Phantom or Les Miserables, choir teachers are often quite moved by the gift of a theater experience. Be sure to select decent seats if possible so your gift is not in bad taste, and when possible purchase a pair of conjoined tickets to the teacher might bring a guest.

Sheet music portfolio - For just $19.95, you can give your choir teacher a nice Music Staff Sheet Music Briefcase from Sam Ash. This economical case will help your choir teacher to stay organized with style and whimsy. Item comes in a basic black and is printed with white sheet music, great for that choir teacher on the go. Too whimsical? Consider a leather sheet music portfolio from Music Depot.

Grand Piano Clock - The Music House carries a stunning gold Vermeil Mini Baby Grand Piano Clock manufactured by Bulova. This highly polished piano clock has a dial on the lid, a music note shaped second hand, several movable parts, and is so very tiny, you would think it was an instrument owned by faeries. The item measures 2.24," and makes a perfect gift at just $99.

T-Shirt - The "Got Music?" black t-shirt is a play on the famed "Got Milk" advertising campaign. This item, which comes in three sizes, is a whimsical item with a lot of attitude, perfect for any choir teacher to lounge in during weekends off. Available from Groth Music, this t-shirt is one of an entire "Got Music?" line including mugs, a thermal mug, pencils, and a mouse pad. $21.00. Music Wear carries a full line of music themed t-shirts for you to choose from as well, including "Choir Gear" and "Born to Sing." Price is typically under $20.

Frog Conductor Lamp - One of the most whimsical gifts for choir teachers, the frog conductor lamp is a humorous look at musical directors of any genre. This gift is made of sculpted glass and metal and stands 11 3/4" high. $49.95. The frog looks just like my choir teacher from high school, who coincidentally sang just like Kermit.

Glass Grand Piano - The Spun Glass Piano music box on mirrored base from Harmony Online features 18k gold accents and a rotating mechanism. This stunning piano music box is a lovely decorative item delicately made to resemble layers of crystalline beauty. It plays Unchained Melody. $25.95. A glass piano ornament, like the one from The Christmas Dove, is a fabulous way to show your appreciation for your choir teacher's accompaniment. Made of spun glass similar to the music box available through Harmony, the vintage-looking ornament is only $7.00.

Tote bag - The "Obey the Choir Director" tote bag from evisionarts, a store available on Cafepress bears an adorable directing hands graphic with the text "Obey the Choir Director" in red capital letters. This neutral ecru bag is 15" x 18" x 5" and is made of heavyweight natural canvas. The handles are reinforced to carry those heavier song books and accessories. $20.99. The "Born to Sing" tote bag from Music Treasures is under $10 and is made of durable canvas as well. Also available is a matching mug for just $4.00 more.

Musical Note Ornament - For a festive expression that can be hung from a rearview mirror, lamp, or even on the Christmas tree, consider a Musical Note Ornament from Christmas Mouse. This ornament is 3" high and upon close examination, you will see that what looks like a stylized pair of half notes is actually a pair of notes containing a scale adorned with crystals. This item is plated with 24k gold and retails for $6.00.

Whether your choir teacher celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah, selecting the perfect gift is quite easy with the internet, a few good ideas, and a little time to decide. Happy Holidays!