How to start working with a completely new choir | New choir - Where to start from

[@pinmeuppink]

Great video. Some tips I hadn't considered!

[@victoriaputureanu7783]

Very good advices!

[@naomi_jean]

Thank you! I love your directness and great advice.

[@Enquire2Choir]

thank you so much, it means so much to me to hear that :)

[@Sefardess]

I wish you would have posted this prior to February 4th!!! I needed it then!!! haha. anyway, looks like my instincts were correct because some of what you listed here in items 1-3 did. I am struggling with what warm-ups to give them beyond scale and arpeggios. I only have 4 Tenors, 2 of which are women. the rest of my choir are ALL WOMEN. So, basically I have only 2 men. Their true voice part is Baritone but they can both sing most Tenor notes. So, I have some challenges. I am more used to working with women. I need to tailor my warm-ups for both sexes. also, I "laid down" the rules on the first rehearsal, but there are still people who are letting their family lives get in the way of making rehearsal. I'm getting a little frustrated because my choir is starting off small and I need EVERY VOICE.

[@Enquire2Choir]

I'm so behind on replying 😥 I've read the email, you gave me food for thought! I understand this can be frustrating, but I think it's better always to work with what you truly have, because this is you reality, you know.. I say - rearrange the music score you have for your choir. You don't have to write a new arrangement, you just redirect and repurpose the lines.. for example, the bass line can go to alto an octave higher (this is purely hypothetical, it depends on the score and if it sounds ok like that). If you make an arrangement work for your choir, then nobody will know you had any trouble.. :)

[@Sefardess]

@@Enquire2Choir EXACTLY. :D I'm learning so much just leading this small group. I have 19 now. next season hopefully it will grow. I have everyone's voice ranges on a spreadsheet (example C2 - C4 etc), and I bring it with me every week. I have a younger man who can sing Alto. as I grow, I will learn how to build more complex harmonies, but one thing at a time! lol

[@chloefinchmusic7805]

How would you keep the choir professional without a pianist to accompany them?

[@Enquire2Choir]

by singing a cappella all the time and not running away from it! it has its learning curve, and it takes a while, but it works. Eventually the singers learn to depend only on each other, however, it is a long process and it's hard to get to a good place with it. all the best to you!