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Sheet Music on iPad for Choirs and Choir Directors

Updated · By the Folio Stand team at KKV Labs

Choir singers can replace their paper folder with an iPad that holds every piece in concert order, with breaths, dynamics and cuts marked in. Directors can send the whole program, with their rehearsal marks, to every singer at once. A light 11-inch iPad is easiest to hold while singing, and a setlist keeps the concert order.

Singing in a choir is common: the Chorus Impact Study (2019) found that about 54 million Americans sing in choruses.

What problems do choirs have with paper music?

  • Folders are heavy, and singers forget them.
  • Changes from rehearsal (cuts, breaths, "tacet first verse") never reach everyone.
  • Directors re-copy and re-number music for every concert.
  • Small print is hard to read in dim churches and halls.

How does an iPad work for choir singers?

Need Tablet setup
Something light to hold An 11-inch iPad in a thin case. A 13-inch is easier to read but heavier to hold
The concert order A setlist, in order, with placeholders for spoken parts
Rehearsal marks Apple Pencil for breaths, dynamics and cuts. See how to annotate sheet music
Reading in a dark venue Raise brightness, or use a dark page tint if your app has one
Page turns A tap on the screen. Choir singers rarely need a pedal

Tips for choir directors

  • Agree one way to send music. A single setlist link beats a dozen emails.
  • Send your marks. If the whole choir needs the same cuts, send them with the music.
  • Keep paper for a few singers. Some members will prefer paper, and that is fine.
  • Check your licenses. Only share music your choir has the right to copy and share.

What will Folio Stand do for choirs?

Folio Stand is in development, with launch planned for early 2027. For choirs it is being built to:

  • Send to Band: send the concert program with its PDFs, and your rehearsal marks if you like, in one link. Singers open it in the free app.
  • Setlists with placeholders that keep the concert order.
  • Marks that never disappear: a version history for every page.
  • Simple to start: three steps for new users, with pro tools tucked away, so every singer can use it.

FAQ

Can choir members use an iPad instead of a folder? Yes. An iPad holds every piece, keeps the concert order and lets singers mark breaths and cuts. Many choirs mix tablets and paper.

What size iPad is best for a choir singer? An 11-inch iPad is the easiest to hold for a long concert. A 13-inch is easier to read but heavier.

How can a choir director send music to the whole choir? Today, by email or a shared folder. Folio Stand's Send to Band will send the whole program in one link, opened in the free app.

Sources: Chorus America, Chorus Impact Study executive summary (2019).