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LISTEN ANALYZE
Rehearsal
Procedures
PRACTICE PERFORM

Prepared by: Elizabeth Susan V. Suarez, BM, MM, PhD.

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Guidelines

 Rehearse in a well-ventilated room.

 Accompanying instrument must be in tune.
 Always be on time. Be in your place when
rehearsal begins.
 Create a routine.
 Be prepared and have a goal every
rehearsal.
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Guidelines

 Start the rehearsal with some action.

 Work on breathing, keeping the voices
supported, but never over-sing
 Keep warm ups and rehearsal positive.
 Keep the warm ups fast paced, leaving
little room for boredom or idle chatter.
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Guidelines

 Try new warm ups and new ideas. If

presented well, there will be little
questioning by students.
 Build vocal fundamentals and habits that
will remain throughout the students’ singing
development.
 Rehearsals should be FUN. Aim for a
humorous approach.
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Guidelines

 Enjoy the choir practice! You need to feel

completely at ease with your choir. And if
you do, they will feel completely at ease
with you.
 Mistakes have to be corrected, but this can
be done in a non-judgmental way.
 Don’t find fault, Encourage and Suggest
roads to improvement.
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Guidelines

 When hitting high notes… modify the vowel

sound… drop the jaw.

 When hitting the high note, sing above the

cheekbones.

 Ascending melody needs more energy.

 When descending, produce sound as if yawning,

not forcing a loud sound.

 Sopranos must always start the vocalize on the

note ”A” above middle C.
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Rehearsal
Reminders
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Positive Reinforcement

Don’t Say

"That’s the fifth time you’ve made that

stupid mistake”

"You sound terrible"

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Positive Reinforcement

 "You’re
nearly there. Next time you’ll
probably have it.”

 "Your singing is already beautiful, let's see

if we can find ways of making it even finer.”
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The Warm Up

Stretch

Get the blood pumping

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Tuning

Call and Response

Unison Singing
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Tuning

 increase vocal
flexibility
 work on rhythms
 develop breath
support
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Rehearsing the Pieces

read through text per phrase

 learn the rhythm per phrase
 learn melody with rhythm
 clean up problems
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Performance Procedures

 Check posture.
 Remind children that all eyes on the
conductor at all times.
 Follow what director wants you to do.
 Listen

 Do not to sing too loud

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Performance Procedures

 Do not make your own melody

 When you make a mistake ... Act as if you

didn't.... That's a secret

 When others make a mistake.. Act as if he

didn't... That's a secret

 When on stage... NO MORE EXTRA MOVEMENTS

 ENJOY
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REPERTOIRE
BUILDING
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Repertoire Building

 “Perhaps the single most important

factor in determining positive choral
experiences for children is repertoire
selection. Choral singing can start the
beginning of a lifetime curiosity and
desire to participate in the choral
music experience.”
Angela Broeker, MENC member
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Singability and age appropriate

Text

 Words well written and supported by the

music rather than competing with it
 Good declamation
 Repetitive
 Simple
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Singability and age appropriate

Music
 Melodies that have beautiful lines
without too many leaps
• Clear

• Natural structure
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Singability and age appropriate

Phrasing that is consistent

Rhythms that are challenging but
within the levels of learning
Harmonies that are:
• Fresh, Inspiring, Authentic and
Captivating
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Singability and age appropriate

Form that is:

• Clear with phrases of regular length
• Easily taught and remembered
 Accessibility: Music that you can find
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Singability and age appropriate

 Range that is not too high or

too low
 Music that is Relevant: where
singers can connect with text
and music that are meaningful
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Singability and age
appropriate
 Music that is Varied
• Expands horizons and keeps
rehearsal fresh and interesting
• Creates balance of music (upbeat,
joyful, slow, lyrical and reflective)
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Accompaniment

Young singers especially

need simple and light
accompaniment
Won’t overpower them