What to buy for a choir concert

A choir concert needs more than chairs and music stands. Plan supplies for performers, front-of-house volunteers and the audience, including water, refreshments, payment materials and backstage furniture. Check the venue before buying or transporting technical equipment: a piano, microphones, mixer, speakers and lighting may already be available. Use the final programme and expected attendance to set quantities, then complete the shopping at least two days before the concert.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Chairsqty 180
Tablesqty 8
Choir chairsqty 40
Music standsqty 25
Dressing room tablesqty 3
Changing room chairsqty 20
Coat racksqty 4

Tableware

Water glassesqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 100
Tea glassesqty 100
Platesqty 180
Cake platesqty 180
Forksqty 180
Teaspoonsqty 100
Serving tongsqty 6

Equipment

Digital piano
Piano bench
Singing microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
Mixer
Speakersqty 2
Audio cablesqty 8
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Batteriesqty 12
Piano stool

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 4
LED spotlightsqty 4
String lightsqty 3

Decorations

Stage drapesqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8
Welcome sign
Sticky tackqty 4
Arrow stickersqty 30

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 6
Scissorsqty 4
Waste binsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 3 kilograms
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Grape jam - 2 jars
- Nut mix - 1 kilogram
- Raisins - 500 grams
- Mini raisin buns - 180 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Vegan spread - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 500 grams
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Paper plates - 200 pieces
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Plan one water glass per performer plus 10% extra, and place the glasses where choirs can reach them without crossing the stage. Refill backstage before each rehearsal and performance.
For coffee, tea and cake, provide one cup or glass, one plate and one fork per expected serving, plus at least 10% spare tableware. Buy teaspoons and serving tongs separately; they are easy to overlook.
Count the choir chairs and music stands from the final lineup, not from an early rehearsal plan. Add two spare chairs and two spare stands if storage and transport allow.
Do not assume the venue has compatible audio equipment. Confirm the microphone type, mixer inputs, speaker connections, extension cords and power strips at least one week before the concert.
Prepare batteries, audio cables and extension cords in a labelled box before loading the car. Test every microphone, speaker and lamp during the stage setup, preferably at least three hours before doors open.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a choir concert?: Plan tableware for refreshments, water glasses for performers, and any missing stage and audio equipment. The usual checklist includes music stands, microphones, microphone stands, a mixer, speakers, cables, extension cords, power strips and batteries, plus lighting and stage drapes if the venue does not supply them.
How many water glasses do I need for a choir concert?: Start with one glass per singer and add 10% spare glasses. For example, 60 singers require 66 glasses; also keep extra drinking water available backstage for rehearsals and the performance.
How early should I buy supplies for a choir concert?: Buy or reserve non-perishable supplies at least one week before the concert. Complete the final shopping two days beforehand, after registrations close and the expected audience and performer numbers are known.
How many chairs and music stands are needed for a choir concert?: Use the final stage layout and lineup to count choir chairs and music stands. Add two spare chairs and two spare stands where possible, then confirm the count with the venue at least three days before setup.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.