What makes a good choral director

You can use the search functions on the blog and podcast pages to find articles and episodes to help you in your new role. Best of luck. Hello Christine, Thanks for your prompt response. Please have you got in sales the materials for vocal training or do you offer group training?

You will find lots of help for running your new choir on our blog and our podcasts which are all free on Total Choir Resources. We cover topics from leading the choir to warm-ups which help develop your singers, planning performances and much much more. We do have more in-depth training courses which are available inside of our membership Community Choir Professionals. Hello Christine, thanks for making time to share your experience, I believe this will impact the lives of choir leaders positively.

Just want to know if training classes for vocal lessons including singing techniques programmes. Thanks Orison. Congratulations on being appointed as choir leader at your church. In terms of vocal lessons and singing techniques I tend to include this in choir rehearsals with warm-ups. We will often focus on exercises that will help singers improve techniques in our current repertoire. For example, if a piece has a descending note pattern where pitch may be an issue, we do an exercise working on pitch to help singers feel they have the tools they need to enjoy their singing and do a great job.

If you want to take this further you can also offer vocal teaching sessions or run workshops focusing on specific elements of vocal techniques. I wish you every success as you move forward with your new role.

Hi Matthew. Good luck with your choir. Good morning, I was just appointed as the new Choir Leader and I have never held any post like this. Hi Dayo, and congratulations on becoming a choir leader. Hi Tosin, thanks for your message and congratulations on becoming a choir leader for your church. It sounds like you are a very musical person and this will stand you in great stead going forward.

Also a passion for what you do is so important when leading a choir. Good luck with your new role. I deffinatly have my own style of playing…but people like it.

Just looking for some advice. God bless and thanks. Hi Travis, sounds like an exciting new project. You can check out our blog and podcasts for loads more tips and tools to help you out. Hi,These points really met my needs this present time,because of my current challenge with my church choir. All the best with your choir. I was wondering how to start playing my role as a new choir leader in my Church.

I feel released. Don't forget to do your own training, says Smart Music : Make sure to practice your own conducting for songs. Use large, distinct arm movements that everyone in the choir can see. Ensure that you can make eye contact with every singer.

Use your body and face to express the mood of the music. You have to remember one of your main purposes is to play timekeeper, says Total Choir Resources. If the music is quick and active, make your motions match. If the song is slowing down or taking on a more lyrical mood, use smoother motions.

The best way to hone your own style of conducting is to watch directors you admire. My perspective is obviously from the front of the choir. Sunday, November 01, The six qualities needed to be a good choral director. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions across the globe.

Your experiences may differ from mine, so do feel free to leave a comment and let's begin a conversation! Musical director by spoedman. Chris Rowbury's website: chrisrowbury. Labels: choir , choir leading , choral conducting , choral director , singing , trust. Newer Post Older Post Home.

Individual choir members must agree as a group on the proper way to pronounce words. The choir director should aide in this process by modeling the proper way to pronounce each word. For the most part, if each choir member has studied diction, rehearsal time will focus on fixing only unusual words. Rhythm is extremely important for a quality choir. If one section is singing behind the rhythm, it will be extremely noticeable. One member of the choir can ruin an otherwise perfect performance if they exhibit poor rhythm.

When an individual singer sings differently than the rest of the group she will stand out and convolute the overall choir sound. Many amateur choirs will practice just the rhythm of a piece before singing the actual notes.