The most visible part of the director’s job is when they stand in front of the chorus each week at rehearsal. For new directors it can be terrifying as the anxiety of “getting it right” and feeling that it’s all down to you can overwhelm your passion for the music, which is the reason you are standing out front in the first place!

We are all human. Accepting that not every rehearsal will be perfect is necessary not only for your sanity, but to inspire you to try different things and seek a better result next time. Experimentation is a great tool for directors. Even if something is working for you, it’s not a reason to always do it that way. You want your singers to be flexible and willing to try new things, and you can encourage this by being so yourself. Laugh together when it doesn’t work, celebrate when it does. Most of all, have fun together in this educational adventure.

This module presents the following articles. A short quiz is provided at the end of each article, which can help you self-assess how well you’ve learned the information provided in that article. It is HIGHLY recommended that all learners take these quizzes prior to attempting the final module assessment.

10.1 - Building A Rehearsal

A great rehearsal happens when great content meets a fantastic atmosphere. This article explores the planning process and describes the pieces of the puzzle that fit together to form a rehearsal filled with education and joy that will have them coming back for more.

10.2 - Warmups

The vocal exercises we do to start a rehearsal are a critical springboard for the skills to be utilized for the rest of the night. This article discusses how to put together a session that builds skills and prepares the singers for what you want to achieve during the rehearsal.

10.3 - Riser Placement

Nobody owns their “spot” on the risers, right? But how do we decide the best layout for our singers? This article discusses the science behind singer spacing and placement to create the best natural acoustic for your group. Whatever the size of your group, setting up your singers to be able to give their best voice to the chorus sound is the easiest way to improve the blend and resonance of the chorus before working on vocal skills.

10.4 - Section Rehearsals

Outside of weekly chorus rehearsals, section rehearsals are the next most impactful educational opportunities for our singers. This section discusses the different goals of a section rehearsal and how these can be achieved.

10.5 - Rehearsing Online

The worldwide pandemic of 2020 catapulted our use of technology in reaching our members, inside and outside of weekly rehearsals. Online rehearsals are a different challenge and this article suggests ways in which to plan for a great online experience for your singers.

10.6 - What Makes A Rehearsal Great

Great content will only take you so far without a fantastic atmosphere to put it into. This article looks at chorus culture, how to meet our singers’ expectations and what motivates us to engage in the process as a team.

Contributors to the articles in this module were:

● Robert Mance

● Anne Downton

● Jennifer Cooke

● Judy Pozsgay

● Linda Wareham

● Peggy Gram

● Laura Schultz

● Julie Starr

● Valerie Taylor

● Joanne Oosterhoff

● Sweet Adelines International Education Department