As a choir director, your job is to shape the sound of the choir, teach the music, and assess and correct any problems related to vocal performance. Here are some tips to help you successfully form and lead a choir.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Learning the Hand and Body Language to Conduct
Step 1. Look at other directors
Modeling your gestures, body language, and facial expressions on those of other conductors is the best way to understand what kind of cues experienced singers are used to.
- Search online for videos of other choir conductors.
- Watch professional choir shows and focus your attention on what the conductor does and how the singers respond to each signal.
- Attend live events and watch the conductor. Make sure you have a place that allows you to see it well. Take note of gestures and cues that seem to work particularly well.
- Attend choir rehearsals and see the conductor from the singers' point of view.
Step 2. Prepare a “booklet” of the signals
Note which ones you intend to use will help you to maintain consistency in the use of the different signals.
Step 3. Overdo it
Many signals will have to be over-executed to make the singers understand them clearly - particularly if the choir is large or if it is children. However, try not to overdo it or you risk distracting the audience.
Step 4. Observe yourself conducting
Stand in front of a mirror or record yourself directing to see if the signals you are making are clear.
Step 5. Practice frequently
The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be when facing a real choir.
- Listen to your favorite choral music and pretend to be the one conducting it.
- If you know another choir director, ask him if you can "borrow" his (already experienced) choir during a portion of rehearsals. Then ask for opinions and advice from choir members and the conductor.
Part 2 of 5: Putting the Voice Talents Together
Step 1. Decide whether or not to audition
The auditions will allow you to form a more experienced choir, but some conductors prefer to give the opportunity to participate to all those who are interested.
Step 2. Schedule auditions
If you decide to do them, be sure to follow the next steps. If you don't, you can go directly to the next step.
- Set a place and time for auditions. For consistency, it would be better to do them in the room that you will use for rehearsals or for your performances.
- Advertise the auditions. Think about the type of singers you want to engage and plan ads based on that. You should start advertising a few weeks to a month before your audition day.
- Determine if each candidate will have to prepare their own piece or if they will have to improvise at the time of the audition. This information must be specified in the announcement.
Step 3. Do the auditions
Listening to each candidate sing and take notes on their performance will help you decide whether or not to include them in the choir.
- Evaluate each singer's vocal skills against your expectations. Determines the extent and quality of the candidate's voice during the audition.
- You could prepare a small questionnaire for singers to submit to find out their experiences, describe their vocal range and determine if they can read music.
- Try to keep a neutral expression during each performance and make sure you are professional and polite. You could hurt someone's feelings if you frowned or reacted badly to poor evidence, or you could give false hope by looking overly happy.
Step 4. Choose the choir members
Determine the number of singers you need and the mix of voices you want to achieve.
- If you have very strong and experienced singers, you can create a small group, while if you are dealing with beginners it is better to opt for a larger group.
- Make sure you balance the different vocal parts well: soprano, alto, tenor and bass.
- You can also evaluate other types of balances. Be sure to consider aspects such as the gender, age and race of the choir members, in order to enrich it as much as possible.
Step 5. Communicate your decisions to the choir
You will have to give an answer to all those who attended the hearing - be it positive or negative. You can also prepare a list or call candidates.
You could write a short note to those who didn't make it, thanking them for their interest
Part 3 of 5: Determine the Music Selection
Step 1. Select the music suitable for the occasion
There are many factors to consider when choosing music: is the choir religious or secular? What season are we in? If the choir will perform as part of a larger event, what is the tenor of the event?
Step 2. Select the music suitable for your choir
The choice must be made based on the abilities of the choir, and it must be simple enough for them to succeed but also complex enough for them to feel the challenge.
Step 3. Make sure you have permission to advertise and play the music you have selected
You could choose music on which there are no copyrights, if you don't have the finances to pay for them.
Step 4. Interpret and study the music selection
It is important that you understand how you want it to be performed before you start working with the choir.
- Meet the musical accompanists and talk to them about the music and your interpretation.
- Familiarize yourself with the music, especially the different vocal parts, and how you will conduct it before rehearsals. Don't try to "do as it comes".
Part 4 of 5: Rehearsing
Step 1. Prepare a detailed test schedule
Establish an attendance policy and any repercussions for absences.
- Include the date, time and place for each test.
- Your musical accompanists should attend all rehearsals. If your choir is a cappella or you use recorded music, you will not need accompanists.
Step 2. Start with the tests
- When introducing new music, be sure to discuss your chosen song with the choir.
- Break each song down into smaller, manageable chunks. You don't have to work on the whole piece during a rehearsal.
- Be consistent in the way you organize rehearsals. Start with a warm-up, then move on to the sections you want to try. Clearly establish the goals for each test.
Step 3. If necessary, rehearse solo or related to specific sections
Rehearsing with one person - or with a few - can be as important as rehearsing with the whole choir.
- Working with the soloists to perfect their parts will make the performance more precise.
- During section rehearsals, divide the choir according to the voices and rehearse each one separately. This way, you can spend more time improving the rhythm and notes.
- Put the different sections and soloists back together when you are satisfied with the work done separately.
Part 5 of 5: Preparing the Exhibition
Step 1. Determine what kind of clothing or uniform the choir will wear on the night of the performance
All members must have coordinated attire so as not to distract the audience from their performance, and to appear professional.
- Church choirs usually already have their uniforms. Be sure to discuss the matter with the church.
- Other types of choirs, such as school choirs, may not have uniforms, but they may wear white shirts with black pants or skirts.
Step 2. Teach the choir that the details are important
Although secondary to singing, having a drink together after the show or stopping for a chat can make the difference between an apparently amateur performance and a professional one.
Step 3. Advertise the show
Be sure to include details such as time, day and place of the performance, and who will be the singers and organizers. Specify what the price of the ticket will be or if it will be a free offer.
Step 4. Have a short warm-up session before the performance
The warm-up will prepare the choir for singing and you will make sure that all the members are present.
- Try not to introduce new information before the performance; rather, try to refine things you have already worked on.
- Give a brief summary of the things to remember, but try not to crowd the mind of your choir.
Step 5. The exhibition begins
Agree with the event director on how and when to start the performance and on the position of the choir, whether it will be sitting or standing.
Be consistent as you direct. Use the movements, gestures and facial expressions you used during rehearsals
Step 6. After the performance, praise each singer individually
Leave the constructive criticisms to the next test: tonight they just have to rejoice!
Advice
- It is important to emphasize good singing techniques during each rehearsal. The right posture, correct breathing, the quality of the tone will lead to a more fluid and solid performance.
- Have a critique session after each performance. Give constructive criticism, provide positive feedback, and discuss possible options for resolving any problems.
- Work with the choir on diction, dynamics and phrasing.
- When you rehearse on your own, you establish the dynamics of the music and how you want the choir to perform it.
- You should do some historical and contextual research on each piece you choose for your choir.
Warnings
- It emphasizes the importance for singers to follow rehearsals regularly: it is good for the group but also for the individual.
- Discreetly, create a separation between you and the singers to make sure you have the necessary authority when it comes to solving problems or issues. They don't have to see you as their equal, but as their leader.
