Here is a rough draft of a handout I want to give to our choir - any questions you would add/change/expand on?
CHOIR CATECHISM
• Why do we have rehearsals?
- To prepare ourselves physically and spiritually for Sunday morning service. Ideally we should have at least 3-4 practices of a song before singing it in public.
• Why do we pray at practice?
- To get ourselves into the proper frame of mind, by taking the focus off of self, and onto God. Everything we do should be for His glory.
• Why do we do vocal warmups?
- To prepare our voices. People do warm-ups before exercise; the same principle applies for healthy singing.
• Why do we memorize the words?
- To free our hands and bodies for choreography (hand, body motions). Our lyrics are projected on the screen, just in case.
• Why do we do motions?
- To emphasize the lyrics (like leaning, pointing upward, clapping, etc.)
Coordinated, unified action gives dramatic emphasis to a song.
• Why do we learn Soprano, Alt, Tenor (SAT) parts?
- To enrich the choir’s sound. Gospel Choir is usually 3-part harmony.
• Why do we have rehearsal CD’s?
- To prepare ourselves by listening to and getting familiar with the songs,
before we come to rehearsal.
• Why do we sing more than one song per rehearsal?
- To learn new songs and review old ones.
