Choir Rehearsal Agenda

 Choir Rehearsal Schedule and Rehearsing Techniques
from "Guidelines for Choir Directors pg. 79

AGENDA

  The following is a typical rehearsal agenda

for a ward choir:

1. Opening prayer (assigned by the choir

president)

2. Announcements by the choir president

3. Introduction of new members by the

choir president

4. Other choir business

5. Rehearsal time, which usually includes:

a. A short warm-up period, using

warm-up exercises, a familiar hymn,

or another simple piece of music

(for example, “I Need Thee Every

Hour”)
b. More difficult anthems and other

challenging pieces.

c. New music.

d. Other music in need of work.

e. A piece the choir does well.

REHEARSING A

NEW PIECE OF MUSIC

Following are some suggested steps for

rehearsing a new piece of music. All of these

steps do not need to be done in a single

rehearsal; the process may be spread over

several weeks.

Give an Overview

The overview gives choir members a

general feeling for the music. Read, or have

someone in the choir read, the text aloud and

briefly discuss its message. Next let the choir

sing or hum through the entire piece. Then

briefly discuss the unique qualities, interesting

elements, and mood and style of the music.

Teach the Notes

The best way to teach the notes is to divide

the singers by vocal group (soprano, alto,

tenor, bass) for sectional rehearsals. Sectional

rehearsals save time and keep the singers busy

learning their parts instead of waiting for their

turn to rehearse. Although it is best to send

each group to a separate room, it may be more

practical to divide the choir into two groups,

men and women. An assistant director can

help with sectionals. If it is not possible to

divide, work with each section of singers in

turn while the others hum their notes.

The following are guidelines to help you

teach new music to the choir:

1. Divide the piece into smaller parts and

teach it segment by segment. To divide

the piece, find places where natural breaks

occur or divide the piece into segments

of one or two pages.

2. For each segment of music, take each

vocal group through its part while the

notes are played on the piano or organ.

The singers may be able to hear their

notes better if the accompanist plays

them in octaves. The singers can hum

or sing

3. Teach troublesome rhythms by having

the choir clap or say the words in the

proper rhythm.

4. Teach difficult notes by singing or

playing them while the choir listens.

hear. Try singing a difficult passage five

or six times in a row or very slowly.

5. While one group learns its notes, have

the other groups study theirs or hum

them to hear how they harmonize with

the rest of the choir.

6. While the singers learn the notes, have the

accompanist play the vocal lines rather

than the accompaniment.To find out how

well the singers know their notes, have

them sing without the piano or organ.

7. When each vocal group can sing the

segment of music, join two groups

together (the basses and tenors or the

sopranos and altos). Add a third group

and then the fourth. Listen for wrong

notes or other problems, correct them,

and move on to the next segment

of music.

Then have the singers repeat what they

Put It Together

When each section knows its notes, put all

the elements together. Direct the choir through

the entire piece, still listening for problems.

Give direction to the singers concerning tempo,

dynamics, and interpretation.

Use most of the time rehearsing those parts

of the music that need attention. This is the

time to pay attention to the details of the music,

making sure the technical aspects are in place.

Polish the Performance

When the technical elements are worked

out, polish the number by focusing on balance,

blend, and interpretation. This will add artistic

refinement and musical feeling to the choir’s

performance.

Give a Review

Before ending a rehearsal in which the choir

has learned a new song, have the choir sing

the song one last time. Then review the new

piece in each rehearsal until the performance

because some relearning will be needed.