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Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big fan of technology—especially when it makes my life easier. For the longest time, though, I hesitated to give up my paper octavos as a Choral Director and Accompanist. I worried that an iPad might freeze right in the middle of a performance. After years of using an iPad with ForScore both in the classroom as a Choral Director and an Accompanist for many All-State and ACDA performances, I’m happy to say that’s never happened—and now I can’t imagine working without it. Here are five ways iPad-based score management made my life easier and my rehearsals more efficient: 1. A Complete Choral Library at Your Fingertips Gone are the days of lugging around heavy binders or scrambling to find a song quickly. With ForScore , every piece of music can be stored digitally and instantly accessed on your iPad. One summer, I actually scanned every single song in my (school) choral library so I would have all of the music at my fingertips. ✅ Import PDFs directly or "scan" your music using the iPad's rear-facing camera ✅ Edit the metadata for your PDFs to include composer(s)/arranger(s), voicing, tempos, keys, and more and then you can search or browse those characteristics at a glance ✅ Create setlists for each performance to keep your music organized and quickly accessible (one of my favorite features) ✅ Instantly search for any title This allows directors to move fluidly between pieces, make quick programming changes, and carry their entire library wherever they go — rehearsal room, performance venue, or classroom. You can literally have thousands of songs at the ready! Need to change your performance order? It's as easy as dragging and dropping! 2. Mark, Edit, and Annotate Instantly ForScore makes marking scores faster and more flexible than ever. Using an Apple Pencil or your finger, you can: Add phrasing marks, breath symbols, and rehearsal cues Highlight sections for sectional rehearsals Erase or update markings instantly Add shapes and symbols from the built-in library of music notation These tools let you adapt in real time during rehearsal — perfect for those spontaneous musical insights that inevitably happen mid-rehearsal. 3. Mirror Your Score for Better Visual Teaching One of the most impactful features of using an iPad in the choral classroom is the ability to mirror your screen  using Apple TV or a similar device . With just a few taps, you can project your score onto a larger screen so the entire ensemble can see exactly what you see. I did this often with my beginning groups so they could understand how to read and follow a choral score. (Getting sixth-grade students to understand a system so they wouldn't just read from the soprano staff to the alto staff below it was a game-changer!) I would also use it with all of my groups for showing them how to mark their music to make our rehearsals more efficient by reducing errors. 🎶 Demonstrate how to follow the score visually 🎶 Show dynamic markings, phrasing, or rehearsal notes 🎶 Illustrate score navigation (repeats, codas, D.S. al Fine, etc.) By projecting your annotations in real time, you make your rehearsal process more transparent and efficient — helping singers understand your interpretive approach while keeping everyone visually engaged. 4. Streamlined Rehearsal Flow ForScore’s setlist  and linking  features allow directors to run more efficient rehearsals. You can pre-load your rehearsal order, link repeats or codas for seamless navigation, and even attach rehearsal notes directly to the score. When paired with Choral Accompaniment Tracks , your iPad becomes an all-in-one rehearsal command center. You can: Tap a single icon to start playback of a track Adjust tempo or pause without switching apps Eliminate the need for CDs or external players (Bonus: all of your tracks will also be with you at all times!) The result is a smoother, uninterrupted rehearsal flow that keeps the focus on music-making rather than logistics. 5. Ready for Rehearsal, Performance, or Classroom Beyond daily rehearsals, iPads with ForScore are invaluable for performances and conducting. You can: Use a Bluetooth page turner  for hands-free page-turning (I personally use the AirTurn Duo BT-500 .) Keep all cuts, cues, and notes organized in one place Reduce setup time before concerts or adjudications Use the "visible-only" metronome to make sure your tempos are dead-accurate before you begin! Whether you’re conducting from the podium or reviewing scores at your desk, your iPad ensures that your entire choral library — and all your rehearsal tools — are always within reach. And as a bonus, you don't have to worry about whether or not you will have enough light on stage to see your paper scores because well... a screen! This has saved me several times - once during a performance in a hotel ballroom when a parent leaned up against the wall and inadvertently turned off all of the lights! The Perfect Pairing: ForScore and Choral Accompaniment Tracks At Choral Accompaniment Tracks , I create professionally produced rehearsal and performance tracks  that integrate perfectly into ForScore. Directors can link tracks directly to their digital scores for instant playback — an efficient way to run sectionals, teach vocal parts, or accompany the choir when a live pianist isn’t available. Together, ForScore  and Choral Accompaniment Tracks  empower directors to rehearse smarter, teach more effectively, and bring greater musical precision to every rehearsal. Conclusion ForScore and the iPad aren’t just convenient — they represent a new standard for how choral directors can work in the 21st century. By combining organization, mobility, and powerful rehearsal tools, directors can save time, reduce paper clutter, and focus more fully on what matters most: making great music with their choirs. And for those who are wondering... I use a 256 GB 13-inch iPad Air. If you can wait until a "Back to School" sale, you can get a pretty good deal. And don't forget about your Educator Discount!