What do singers want when they come to choir rehearsal?
I’m very interested in how to create positive choir rehearsal experiences for singers. One of the best things I’ve done recently is join another choir as a singer.
Being immersed in the singer’s experience has led to a number of “aha” moments. “I like it when we do THIS in rehearsal.” “I don’t like it when we do THAT in rehearsal.” “I wish we did a bit more of X.” “I was really surprised when we did Y.”
It got me thinking – perhaps there are some general principles we as conductors/directors/choir leaders can use when structuring our rehearsals to maximize the enjoyment and satisfaction of our singers. Putting myself in the singer’s shoes has really helped.
So, I made a Facebook post and posed the question. The response was pretty big! People had a lot opinions on this topic.
Here is my post, followed by some responses I collected from Facebook users. Some of the answers are facetious (these ones came mostly from my friends), some were very thoughtful.
Singers and choir leaders - do you agree with this list? Is there anything missing?
What do singers want when they come to rehearsal?
To sing a lot!
To learn new things - new music, new techniques
To receive positive feedback and praise
To feel a sense of achievement/success
To create beautiful music
To improve
To be a part of something bigger than themselves
To socialize and meet new people
Variety!
To express themselves
???
Answers from Facebook users/friends:
An outlet for their life's experiences
To show off (???)
To create an emotional connection with the audience
To please the conductor (?)
To have fun.
To participate in high level music making with like-minded singers that share my same passion for coming prepared and retaining what is taught.
To feel a sense of belonging.
Memes.
To entertain & even (on occassion) delight, excite & stimulate our audience. To feel the joy of many voices in harmony & the vocal magic that occurs when the Chorus is singing on point & the chords lock. Creative excitement occurs at such times.
Beers.
Baritones to be quiet.
To get the lovely tingly feelings when harmonies work!
Cake!!!
Better mental health. To Enjoy yourself. Make new brain pathways ..... Drink beer afterwards!
To be part of a community.
To sing great songs and dance along.
To also know when one is doing something incorrectly or poorly, so that steps can be taken to make necessary adjustments.
To mix with other choristers, and not fall into cliques. As a Class A Introvert Shy Boy, this is confronting, eg at tea break time when I become anxious trying to make conversation and watching people slowly back away, but in mixed guided vocal exercises/tasks it handles itself and becomes a bonding experience.
To feel the work develop & to feel ownership as an individual and as an ensemble member in that process, eg/ new dynamic moments that reshape how I perceived the song, or being guided personally towards an ensemble sound when I'm the one clashing, then getting the win from feeling the piece working.
Really getting to have moments to worship chords in moments (before then doing something musical with it).
To focus on the moment, forget everything else, relax and just be present to our fellow singers, musical director, and accompanist in our shared musical experience.
To be encouraged and made to feel that they can improve, not to be left behind. You got it about right except there should be good biscuits and even cake.
To watch the choir conductor attempt to sing impossibly high sop notes and improv melodic solos between verse.
To contribute to the group as a person, not just an "instrument" of the choir.
A sense of belonging. "I belong here".
To have fun. Which for some results from the items on your list. At school, with the semester wearing on, I feel like I need to intentionally find ways to make choir fun. For everyone. Thank you for this great list!
To be inspired.
That's a good overall list Dan. I'd add that it's going to be different for each chorus. My approach is to sit down with the chorus and discover what they'd like, look at how that contributes to overall goals and then set a shared vision for rehearsals. Then execute well, get regular feedback from the chorus and adjust as needed over time.
To increase their confidence, to do something just for themselves.
To be inspired by the talent on display!
To gain confidence which they can see the benefit from in other areas of their lives.
Health, mental health and wellbeing.
To de-stress and forget worries for an hour or so.
To experience physical connection with their bodies, practice release and deep listening, experience flow and focus.
I have a retreat each session I offer and we do a group list of desires and vision for the term. I find this super helpful as then the singers can help support each other and be aware of the various desires of the group.
To have a laugh and feel uplifted.
As a choir leader, I agree with all of the above, adding to care about each other.
To have the experience of being surrounded by sound and harmony. And to have fun!
To feel accepted and safe
Perhaps to develop leadership opportunities within the ensemble and school.