What to buy for a choir concert

A choir concert needs more than chairs and music stands. Plan drinks and serving items for singers, volunteers and guests, then check the technical kit before shopping day. Water glasses, carafes, microphones, cables, batteries and gaffer tape are easy to overlook until setup has started. Use the confirmed attendance and venue equipment list to decide what to buy, borrow or bring, and chill drinks before doors open.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 120
Foldable tablesqty 8
Changing room chairsqty 20
Clothes racksqty 2
Wardrobe tablesqty 2
Stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 120
Water glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 80
Cake platesqty 120
Pastry forksqty 120
Coffee spoonsqty 120
Serving traysqty 8
Carafesqty 12

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
Microphone cablesqty 6
Music standsqty 50
Music stand lightsqty 20
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Gaffer tapeqty 4
AA batteriesqty 24
AAA batteriesqty 24
Laptop
HDMI cableqty 2
USB stickqty 2
Tuning device

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 4
Atmosphere lightsqty 6
Cable reelsqty 2

Decorations

Stage drapesqty 2
Flower arrangementsqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8
Menusqty 8
Directional signsqty 10
Clothes hangersqty 120

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2
Washing-up basinsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 2
Mop headsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 2
Glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 2 kg
- English Breakfast tea - 40 bags
- Earl Grey tea - 40 bags
- Green tea - 30 bags
- Herbal tea - 30 bags
- Sugar - 2 kg
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Grape juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic sparkling wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Mineral water for choirs - 6 bottles
- Herbal tea with honey - 1 jar
- Honey - 2 jars
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Whole wheat baguettes - 8 pieces
- White baguettes - 8 pieces
- Plain cream cheese - 2 kg
- Hummus - 2 kg
- Young cheese - 2 kg
- Brie - 1.5 kg
- Goat cheese - 1 kg
- Turkey breast - 1.5 kg
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kg
- Vegetarian spread - 1 kg
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kg
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Arugula - 8 bags
- Grapes - 4 kg
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Pears - 30 pieces
- Mandarins - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kg
- Blueberries - 1 kg
- Walnuts - 1 kg
- Almonds - 1 kg
- Raisins - 1 kg
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salty pretzels - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Green pesto - 3 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Apple pie - 4 pieces
- Lemon cake - 4 pieces
- Vegan muffins - 24 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Butter - 1 kg
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate spread - 2 jars
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Compostable snack trays - 150 pieces
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Wooden cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan one water glass per performer and volunteer, plus a small reserve for breakage. Put carafes near the choirs and keep extra water available backstage.
For a concert reception, allow two to three drinks per guest during the first hour, then one per hour. Buy coffee, cups, cake plates, pastry forks and serving trays together so the refreshment table is usable.
Count every music stand and add one or two spares before buying equipment. Check whether each stand needs a light, and test extension cords and power strips in the venue at least one day before the concert.
Keep spare AA and AAA batteries with the wireless microphones and any other battery-powered equipment. Buy or pack at least two complete replacement sets per wireless microphone.
Pack gaffer tape, spare microphone cables, an HDMI cable and a USB stick in the technical box. Test the laptop, mixer, speakers and tuning device during the final rehearsal, not when the audience is arriving.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a choir concert reception?: Plan drinks, coffee cups, water and wine glasses, carafes, cake plates, pastry forks, coffee spoons and serving trays. Use the confirmed guest count, then add roughly 10% extra tableware for breakage and unexpected guests.
How many drinks do I need for a choir concert?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include performers and volunteers in the calculation, not only ticket holders.
How many spare batteries should I bring for choir concert microphones?: Bring two full replacement sets of the correct AA or AAA batteries for each wireless microphone. Test the batteries and microphones at least 24 hours before the concert.
When should I buy and chill drinks for a choir concert?: Do the main shopping one to three days before the concert so missing items can still be found. Chill drinks on the morning of the concert, or at least four hours before serving if the refrigerator has enough capacity.

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