Rehearsal Expectations.pdf

Information Technology Solutions Sample Rehearsal and Practice Expectations Network Systems Diagnostic Testing Director, Section Leader, and Singer Responsibilities The choir director’s responsibilities include choosing the appropriate repertoire for this group, teaching the musical components of the pieces, helping ensembles members with vocal productions techniques, leading rehearsals, providing you with resources for learning your music, and preparing the group for performances. Your section leader’s responsibilities include keeping your section’s notes, managing your absences, and providing you with additional resources for learning your individual parts. Your responsibilities include taking individual notes, staying vocally healthy, learning your part, working within your section for ensemble unity, putting your section leader’s and choir director’s notes in your music, attending the required number of rehearsals and performances, informing your section leader of your absences, and practicing your music at home.

Rehearsal Expectations The purpose of our weekly rehearsal is to teach the music at the ensemble level; working on techniques such as section unity, blend, tuning and intonation, vocal production, musical expression, and choreography. Learning your individual parts should be done outside of rehearsal (see practice expectations below). Rehearsals will start with a combination of physical and vocal warm-ups followed by ensemble or section work within your music. There will be a break for announcements and socializing and we will wrap-up with final run-throughs of the music together. During warm-ups, we will focus on vocal technique and production. When we break into section or group work, this is the time to work on specific problem areas in the music. The run-through section will help with solidify your part as it fits within the overall ensemble. Singers are required to bring their music and pencil to every rehearsal and to take notes as instructed by the choir director. If you are unsure of how to mark your score, please refer to our score markings document or ask your section leader for help. During rehearsals, please refrain from talking. If a musical question comes up which involves the whole chorus, please raise your hand and the director will answer your question. Chorus discussion topics or questions pertaining to only your section should be addressed with your section leader during break, after rehearsals, or in email correspondence. Feedback to the director is encouraged but should be on an individual basis via our suggestion box or scheduled meeting with the director. Following this procedure is important for efficiently running our rehearsals.

Practice Expectations Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it certainly makes improvements! As choir members, it is your responsibility to practice your music at home. Your section leaders and choir director have provided you with listening tracks and other resources to make this process as simple as possible. By putting in time to practice at home, you will begin to learn your music at a faster pace, enhance your vocal production skills, and improve the musical abilities of the chorus. The necessary practice time depends on the individual. We recommend scheduling thirty minutes to one hour a week for at-home practice, but any practice time will make a difference! Set up a weekly appointment in your calendar for practicing your music to help develop healthy practice habits and hold yourself accountable. A quiet environment alone is typically the most conducive for practicing. We recommend keeping a regular practice log of the date and time of your practice sessions as well as a list of what specific musical components you worked on. Remember, practice isn’t just learning your notes and rhythms; it is also a time to memorize your music, work on your vocal production and technique, solidify your vowels and diction, work on the musical styling and dynamics of the piece, develop your interpretation of the piece, and work on your expression. Practice resources are available inside our [Google Drive, Chorus Connection account, Dropbox] including scanned musical notes, written musical notes, and listening tracks. Your section leader and choir director are available for any additional help needed. Happy practicing!

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