Preparing for an All Day Rehearsal with Your College Choir

I've been in two college choirs since I was a freshman: a women's choral ensemble and a mixed audition only choir. The performance pieces and the amount of rehearsal required is definitely a step up from my high school chorus, and I have enjoyed the experience just as much if not more than when I was in high school.

One of the new challenges of being in a college choir is the rehearsal time scheduled outside of the regular class period. I've been to choreography days, weekend long rehearsal and ice breaking festivities, and rehearsed away from campus for an off campus performance. Based on my experience and the level of stress some members may experience, here's some tips you can pass on to your choir to help them survive a lengthy rehearsal.

Create an itinerary and pass it out well in advance. Let your choir members know when they have to report for rehearsal, when it will end, and what kinds of breaks and activities are scheduled in between. It is hard for some college students to have a completely free weekend, so give them plenty of time to rearrange outside obligations. If someone has a commitment they cannot get out of, understand this and offer to help them make up the lost rehearsal time.

Encourage everyone to bring along bottled water and cough drops. When people are exercising their voice so much, it will only cause added strain to anyone with a cold; and even healthy people can wear their voice out. If someone forgets their stash, people should offer to share with them.

Once rehearsal is underway, keep things flowing smoothly. Explain immediately that there will be no side conversations, especially when the director is working with parts one at a time. Stay on schedule and try to let everyone leave no later than five minutes after the scheduled end time. People who have other places to go will appreciate leaving on time or even a little later.

If you are planning ice breakers, match people up with others who they would not normally talk to or spend time with. There will be some who always want to stick by their friends, but encouraging people out of their safety zone will help them get to know other people. Who knows; maybe two people who once never said hello to each other will become friends down the road. Just remember you can't force any relationships on people wouldn't consider hanging out with each other once they are no longer on the same team.

During breaks, try to provide food such as delivered pizza or sub sandwiches. Ask members to bring snacks to share as well. You cans ask them to contribute a couple dollars towards the food if necessary.

Having a successful all day rehearsal takes commitment, an accurate schedule of activities, and hard work from everyone involved. By following these steps, your practice will go more smoothly and come performance time, the efforts will be worth the work.