By Corey- Patrick Edwards
Time is precious, and valuable. No one likes to be in rehearsals all night long. When musicians and singers come to rehearsal there are many things to accomplish. If we are not careful, much of our time in rehearsal will be lost in repeating and reteaching material.
Here are some valuable tips to help avoid wasted time, and to make sure that the rehearsal time is as productive as it can be.
DIRECTORS AND MUSICIANS SHOULD COME TO REHEARSAL PREPARED
Nothing is worse than time spent in rehearsal hassling over voice parts or chord changes that clash. When the director is unsure, it can be embarrassing. It can also be frustrating for the choir members that have to sit through it, as they lose interest and precious time slips away. This can also destroy the momentum of the rehearsal. Spend the necessary time in study and preparation prior to the group rehearsal to avoid this from happening.
KEEP A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT IN THE REHEARSAL SPACE
During rehearsals members can become easily distracted by the things that are going on around them. Excessive walking, unnecessary talking, passing of papers, noisome cell phones and other factors can contribute to this. If song sheets and/or sign up lists need to be distributed, do this prior to the start of rehearsal. That way members can stay focused on the music that is being taught. It also helps for members to be on time and in place prior to the start of rehearsal to avoid a lot of distractions by people entering and leaving the room.
CHOIR MEMBERS SHOULD BRING A RECORDING DEVICE TO REHEARSAL
Just as directors and musicians are expected to come to rehearsal prepared, so should choir members. One of the best ways that they can do this is by bringing a recording device to rehearsal. This gives the choir member an opportunity to review what they have learned in rehearsal during their personal time. That way when they come to the next rehearsal the directors are able to move on and not spend so much time reteaching. Even the best singers can easily forget parts and song lyrics in between rehearsals.
WHEN LEARNING A NEW SONG SINGERS SHOULD USE THEIR EARS BEFORE THEY USE THEIR VOICE
Choir members should not try to sing along with the director while he or she is teaching; rather they should not sing at all but listen to the part being taught first. If you try to sing while the director is teaching you could miss an important dynamic or nuance that the director wants you to hear. This often times happens with songs that we are already familiar with. Nevertheless, allow the director to sing it first, and at the appropriate time they will invite you to sing it back. This will also save much time in going back over a part that you may have missed.
WHILE ANOTHER SECTION IS BEING TAUGHT, CHOIR MEMBERS SHOULD STAY FOCUSED ON THE PART THEY HAVE ALREADY LEARNED
How many times have we taught the soprano part, then moved on to work with alto, tenor and bass, and then once we are ready to put it all together the sopranos have already lost or forgotten the part? Now even more time must be spent correcting or reteaching. This happens often and the best way to help this situation is for choir members to continue to sing or hum the part they have just learned. While waiting on other sections to learn their part stay focused on your part. It should not be used as downtime or a break. Do not allow yourself to become distracted or daydream while the director is working with another section.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Minister Corey-Patrick Edwards is the Founder/ Executive Director of the Florida Fellowship Super Choir, and the CEO of COED Ministries. His experience and expertise has taken him across the country, teaching and training in the areas of worship and music ministry.
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