The New Setup Wizard: Configure Your Choir Perfectly in 5 Steps

A Wizard That Guides You

Setting up a new choir in software can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Which settings are important? What can you change later? These questions reached us, and we listened. The result is our new setup wizard that guides you step by step through the most important configurations.

The wizard appears automatically when you create a new choir. It accompanies you through five clear steps and explains why each setting matters. The special thing: You can skip any optional step and catch up later at any time. The wizard is meant to help, not block.

Basic Settings: Name and Color

The first step is about your choir's identity. The name is of course the most important thing, but the color also plays a role. If you're a member of multiple ensembles or manage several choirs, color coding helps with quick orientation. In the app and on the website, your ensembles are marked with this color so you can see at a glance which context you're in.

The color selection is deliberately limited to harmonious, easily distinguishable tones. This prevents visual conflicts and keeps the interface pleasant to the eye. You can of course change the color at any time in the settings if your preferences change.

Bank Details for the Digital Cashbook

The second step is optional but particularly valuable for many associations. Here you can enter your choir's bank details: IBAN, BIC, and the SEPA creditor ID. This information is needed for the integrated cashbook and later enables the automatic creation of SEPA direct debit mandates for membership fees.

We know that not every choir wants to use this feature right away. That's why this step is clearly marked as optional and can be skipped with one click. The data can be added later at any time in the ensemble settings. The wizard also explains what each field is needed for so you can make an informed decision.

Customize Voice Parts Individually

Every choir is structured differently. While classic mixed choirs work with soprano, alto, tenor, and bass, men's choirs, women's choirs, or specialized ensembles have completely different requirements. In the third step of the wizard, you see the preset voice parts and can adjust them as you like.

You can delete voices you don't need and add new ones. For each voice, you assign a name and an abbreviation. The abbreviation appears later in compact views, such as the attendance overview for events where space is limited. A children's choir might create voices like "High Voices" and "Low Voices," while a barbershop quartet works with "Lead," "Tenor," "Baritone," and "Bass."

You can adjust the order of voices later in the settings. The wizard focuses on ensuring you have the right voices for your choir.

Define Ensemble Functions

The fourth step is about your association's structure. Chorilo already comes with a range of standard functions: First and Second Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Choir Director, Music Librarian, and other typical association offices. These functions are firmly anchored in the system and are always available to you.

Beyond that, you can create your own functions tailored specifically to your association. Perhaps you have a webmaster, a social media manager, or a concert organizer. The wizard clearly shows you which standard functions already exist and offers the option to add your own. You can later assign these functions to your members to document their role in the association.

Chart of Accounts for Bookkeeping

The fifth and final step is aimed at associations that want to use the integrated cashbook. Here you can select a chart of accounts that defines the structure of your bookkeeping. Chorilo offers two proven charts of accounts: SKR49 for associations, foundations, and non-profit companies, and SKR42 for non-profit organizations.

If you choose a chart of accounts, all relevant accounts are automatically created. You don't have to deal with the details of bookkeeping but can immediately start recording income and expenses. Of course, you can adjust or expand the accounts later.

If you don't want to use the cashbook or prefer to create your accounts manually, you can simply skip this step. The wizard doesn't force you into anything.

Flexibility Comes First

When developing the wizard, one thing was particularly important to us: It should support, not restrict. That's why you can skip any optional step and return to the settings at any time. The progress bar always shows you where you are and how many steps remain. Optional steps are clearly marked so you know what's really necessary and what can wait.

After completing the wizard, you land directly in your new ensemble and can get started right away. All settings you made in the wizard can also be found in the regular settings. The wizard is therefore not a separate system but a guided tour through the most important configuration options.

Existing Choirs Are Not Affected

If you already manage a choir in Chorilo, you don't need to worry. The setup wizard only appears for newly created ensembles. Your existing choirs work as usual, and all your settings are preserved. The wizard is a tool for getting started, not for ongoing management.

Multilingual from the Start

Like all features in Chorilo, the setup wizard is fully available in German and English. You can switch languages at any time, even in the middle of the wizard. The texts are carefully worded to be both understandable and precise. Technical terms are explained, and each step contains hints that help beginners too.

A Good Start Makes the Difference

The first minutes with new software shape the impression lastingly. With the setup wizard, we ensure that this impression is positive. You're not flooded with options but gently guided through the most important decisions. In the end, you have a choir configured exactly as you need it.

Try it out: Create a new choir and experience for yourself how pleasant the setup can be. And if you have feedback or suggestions for improvement, we'd love to hear from you. The wizard is continuously being developed, and your experiences flow directly into future versions.