As a choir leader, your job is to mix the voices, teach the music, evaluate and correct any problems with the vocal performance. There are several steps that can help you succeed in forming and leading a choir.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Learning Hand Gestures and Body Language for Leading
Step 1. Pay attention to the other choir leaders
Forming hand gestures, body language, and facial expressions by looking at the other leader is a great way to understand the many common signs used by experienced singers.
- Watch videos online to see techniques used by other choir leaders.
- Watch a professional choir show and focus on what the leader is doing and notice how the singers respond to any cues.
- Come to a voice-guided show and watch the leader. Find a seat where you can see the leader clearly. Take note of the things that make this show go well.
- Come to choir practice and see the leader from the singer's perspective.
Step 2. Prepare a cue “cheat sheet” for yourself
Write down the cues you will use to be more consistent in your cues.
Step 3. Go overboard
Many cues have to be exaggerated for singers to see clearly, especially for large choirs or children. But don't overdo it too much to distract the audience from your movements.
Step 4. Watch yourself when you lead
Stand in front of a mirror or make a video to see how you lead and make sure your cues are clear.
Step 5. Practice as often as possible
The more you practice leading using body language, the more comfortable you will be doing the actual in front of the choir.
- Play your favorite choral accompaniment and pretend you're leading it.
- If you know another choir leader, ask if you can “borrow” the choir they lead (after rehearsal) as part of the rehearsal. Then ask for feedback or suggestions from these singers or choir leaders.
Part 2 of 5: Blending Singing Talents
Step 1. Decide if you need to make a selection
The selection will form a choir whose members are more skilled in singing, but there is also a choir leader who provides opportunities for anyone who wants to participate.
Step 2. Plan the selection
There are several steps that must be taken if you want to make a selection. If you don't want to make a selection, just skip the following steps to read the next section.
- Determine the time and place of selection. The results will be best if the selection is done in the room where you are holding rehearsals or performances for more consistent results.
- Advertise about this selection. Consider the type of singer you want to hire and design your ad accordingly. We recommend that you start advertising a few weeks before this selection takes place.
- Decide whether the singers should prepare their own songs or be asked to sing on the spot. This information must be included in the advertisement.
Step 3. Make a selection
Listening to each participant sing and taking notes on their selection will help you decide who to accept as a member of the choir.
- Do an evaluation to compare the vocal abilities of each singer with the abilities you expect. Determine the pitch range (ambitus) and voice quality of each singer during their selection.
- You will need to develop a short questionnaire that each participant must fill out to describe their experience, their vocal abilities, and state whether they have any knowledge of music theory.
- Maintain a neutral facial expression during the exam and try to be professional and courteous. You'll hurt someone's feelings if you look sullen or react to an unfavorable appearance, or you'll give yourself too much hope if you seem to like them a lot.
Step 4. Choose your choir members
Determine the number of singers you need, as well as the combination of voices you want.
- If the singer is already very good and experienced, you can form a small group, on the other hand, less skilled singers are better off joining a larger group.
- Tune in to the right combination of sounds by combining: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.
- You can also consider the balance of other aspects such as gender, age and race so that your choir is enriched by diversity.
Step 5. Announce your decision
You need to announce to the participants who are taking part in the selection whether or not they will be accepted into the choir. You can send a letter or contact each accepted participant by phone.
Also send short notices to participants who were not accepted into the choir to thank them for participating
Part 3 of 5: Determining the Type of Music
Step 1. Choose music that fits the event
There are many considerations that influence the choice of the type of music: Is the choir singing religious or secular songs? What's the show? Is this choir performing as part of a big event, what is the theme of the activity?
Step 2. Choose the appropriate music for your chorus
The selection of the type of music must be done based on the level of proficiency of the members, it should be easy enough for them to succeed but complex enough for there to be challenges.
Step 3. Prepare in advance the necessary permissions to place ads and use the music you choose
We recommend choosing music in the public domain if you don't have the budget to pay royalties.
Step 4. Interpret and study the selected music
You need to know what the rhythm of the music is like before you start using it to practice your choir.
- Meet with this musical accompaniment to discuss the music and discuss your interpretation.
- Get to know the accompaniment music well, including for each voice as a whole, and how you will lead it before practicing. Don't "learn by doing."
Part 4 of 5: Conducting Exercises
Step 1. Prepare a detailed plan for the exercise
Make a policy in terms of attendance by imposing sanctions for members who do not attend training.
- Include the date, time and place of practice.
- Your musical accompaniment must always be present during this practice. You don't need a musician if the choir will sing a cappella (without musical accompaniment) or if you want to use pre-recorded accompaniment.
Step 2. Start doing the exercises
- When introducing new music, you should first discuss each part with the choir members.
- Break down each part of this music again for each type of sound to make it easier to understand. You don't need to train each voice separately during practice.
- Stay consistent with your workout format. Start with a warm-up, then work your way up to the voice you need to work on specifically. You should have a clear goal for each exercise.
Step 3. Practice for specific sounds or solos
Training singers individually or in small groups is just as important as training the choir as a whole.
- Practice soloists from your chorus to perfect the parts of the song she needs to sing to make her performance even more beautiful.
- When practicing for each voice, divide the members according to their votes and practice separately. This way, you'll have more time to make sure that the tune and rhythm of the song are correct.
- Recombine all the voices and soloists to sing together when you are satisfied with the exercises they do separately for each voice.
Part 5 of 5: Preparing for the Show
Step 1. Determine the model of clothing or uniform that will be worn during the show
All choir members must wear clothing that will not distract them during the performance and look professional.
- Church choirs usually have their own costumes. Discuss with the church administrator what to expect from a choir group.
- Other choir groups, such as those in certain schools or communities, may not have a ready-to-wear uniform, but may wear a white shirt with black trousers or a black skirt.
Step 2. Teach members to pay attention to details
While not as important as singing, the ability to simultaneously bow after singing (if needed) or sit and stand in the same position can make the difference between a performance from an amateur and professional performer.
Step 3. Place an ad for your show
Include details of the time, date and venue of the performance, the singers who will be performing, and the organizers, including ticket prices or proposed donations if needed.
Step 4. Do a short warm-up before the show
A warm-up will ensure that your choir is ready to sing, and you can make sure everyone is there.
- Try not to pass on new information before the show -- instead, try to "refinish" the things you've already rehearsed.
- Deliver a few last-minute messages if needed, but don't overwhelm your choir with things they have to remember.
Step 5. Start performing
Take time to communicate with the host about how and when the show can start, as well as to discuss whether your choir will perform sitting or standing, both before and after the show.
Maintain consistency as long as you lead. Use your usual gestures, hand movements, and facial expressions during the exercise
Step 6. After the performance is over, compliment each member personally
Save any constructive criticism you want to give until the next practice, for tonight, let them feel proud!
Tips
- You should emphasize the importance of good singing technique to your choir every time you practice. Good posture, proper breathing, quality of pitch and articulation will lead them to a stunning appearance.
- Postpone criticism after your choir has finished performing. Provide constructive criticism, positive feedback and discuss ways to make corrections if needed.
- Practice your chorus in articulation, dynamics, and sentence fragmentation (to take a breath.)
- If you are composing and directing the music yourself, determine the dynamics of the music and the mood you want to present when your choir sings.
- Do some research on the history and context of each type of music you choose for your choir.
Warning
- Emphasize the importance of having each singer present to practice regularly for the good of the group and himself.
- Maintain a firm distance between you and the singers so that you retain authority when faced with issues and problems. Don't let them see you as their equal, but rather as their leader.
