What to do before the first rehearsal

Some notes for your singers by noted conductors on the Singer Network:

The new season is always a great time to consider what chorus members should be doing to prepare for the new season and for the commencement of regular rehearsals. The Canterbury Choral Society continues to send out timely announcements during the summer months that help to keep all the singers informed and ready for rehearsals.

 

First, I’d like all my singers to sit down with the entire chorus calendar and compare it to their own personal schedules so they can avoid as many conflicts as possible. That would be number one on my list—I am often surprised that many singers have NOT done this.

 

Secondly, I’d like all singers come to our season-opening retreat with their folders, pencils, and music ready to go. We often pass out scores ahead of the first rehearsal and alert singers to the edition we’re using—in case they already own a copy. These simple things can go a long way to prepare their minds to the tasks that lie ahead in the new season.