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Main => Ministry, M.O.M, Praise Teams and Choirs => Topic started by: JoyCH on November 01, 2005, 08:35:57 PM

Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: JoyCH on November 01, 2005, 08:35:57 PM
I'm just curious on how long your choir rehersals last. Are they too long, too short, your choir practice too many songs and only sing one song on Sunday, so forth.

Joy
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: dingster1 on November 01, 2005, 08:49:31 PM
2 hours ( actually an hour and a half cause black folks can't start nothin on time)
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: LadyWiz on November 01, 2005, 09:37:16 PM
Quote from: dingster1
2 hours ( actually an hour and a half cause black folks can't start nothin on time)


 :lol:  :lol:  Our choir rehearsals last about 1 1/2 hours.  We learn one song really well to sing on Sunday.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: DetroitB3 on November 01, 2005, 10:26:07 PM
I say an hour and a half. Anything over that, you begin to lose the people..UNLESS, you're rehearsing for an engagement or concert. Then 2-3 hours would be more appropriate. I've been in some that lasted as long as 5 hours.. 8O
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: RICHBET on November 01, 2005, 10:56:48 PM
1 1/2 - 2 HOURS - depending on what we are learning.  We usually try to touch on every song we plan to sing on the following Sunday.  We usually allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for a new song.  The new song may not be introduced for 2 weeks, though.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: B3Wannabe on November 01, 2005, 11:20:58 PM
I think it depends on the level of the choir. It's possible to have a very productive rehearsal in less than an hour. Most of the time, we just repeat stuff over and over, when we should move on.

I was in a rehearsal that was 20 minutes, and we practiced 5 songs for an event that was to take place later that day! Since everyone had the music, we mainly practiced timing and directing cues.

I think if a Minister of Music can keep the rehearsal on schedule and minimize talking, a lot can get done in a short amount of time.

I think new songs should be practiced for about 10-15 minutes per session, working on the difficult parts first.


....You know, even if the choir isn't that experienced (their voices are lacking), you can still have a rehearsal in about an hour. The key is just picking songs that they already know fairly well and singing those, while they rehearse newer or more difficult songs. A song that is already learned shouldn't have to be rehearsed for longer than 5 minutes, even if you have to do restarts. (Most songs are less than 5 minutes.)
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: biblethumpa on November 01, 2005, 11:40:39 PM
AS long as possible, Practice makes perfect!!! I'm tryn to pound this in my choirs mind.. They still havn't got it!!!!!
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: LadyWiz on November 02, 2005, 03:32:09 AM
Quote from: biblethumpa
AS long as possible, Practice makes perfect!!! I'm tryn to pound this in my choirs mind.. They still havn't got it!!!!!


Hey, biblethumpa ~actually practice makes permanent. Because if you keep practicing the wrong thing, that ain't perfect!  :wink:  :lol:
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: MikeGee on November 02, 2005, 05:53:49 AM
Ours is once on Thursday from 6:30 to 9 and 80% of the time only the Minister of Music has heard of the songs. The instramentalist are on their own.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: MikeGee on November 02, 2005, 05:54:49 AM
oh and we do 5 songs a song for offering adn alter call and lastly a song to close out service.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: MikeGee on November 02, 2005, 05:58:55 AM
Quote from: dingster1
2 hours ( actually an hour and a half cause black folks can't start nothin on time)


I am the bass player for a mostly white church maybe 70% to 30%.

Our Praise and Worship leader is white and we never get started on time.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: dingster1 on November 02, 2005, 07:45:20 AM
I've really got to travel out to B-more sometime and check out the scenes up there
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: MikeGee on November 02, 2005, 10:29:15 AM
Quote from: dingster1
I've really got to travel out to B-more sometime and check out the scenes up there


If you lived here your whole life you might feel a little differently. But I do see your point.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: 2tight on November 02, 2005, 10:42:45 AM
We practice for 2 hours when our learning a new song.Other than that we practice 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: BBoy on November 02, 2005, 10:43:39 AM
I personally think no more than 90 minutes. Any longer than that, and I personally think that folks really aren't rehearsing.

In 90 minutes, the choir EASILY ought to be able to open up with a song and prayer (no longer than three minutes for that), learn two new songs, revisit any song that people are struggling with, and decide on two / three songs to sing on Sunday.

The more seasoned the choir or group is, the shorter the need for rehearsal. As I think about it, 90 minutes is a really long time . . .  8O

When I say 90 minutes, I mean people are going out the door in 90 minutes . . . not dismissing, not making announcements, not saying a benediction. If the rehearsal starts at 1, then they should be in their cars driving out of the parking lot at 2:30.

Just my opinion

Be Blessed  :D
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: SISTERNIKKI on November 02, 2005, 12:38:57 PM
I BELIEVE THAT A GOOD CHOIR REHEARSAL WILL LAST ONLY TWO HOURS MAX.  FIRST HOUR, YOU SHOULD REHEARSE THE NEW SONGS, FOLLOWED BY A HALF HOUR FOR BRUSHING UP ON ANY OLD SONGS TO SING ON SUNDAY AND THE HALF HOUR FOR BUSINESS.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: sjonathan02 on November 02, 2005, 12:43:51 PM
I'd have to agree. Anywhere between an hour to an hour and a half. After that, you lose folk.


Now, depending on what you're rehearsing, you could be out in 45 min.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: Luvphillyman on November 02, 2005, 08:18:56 PM
I personally don't like rehearsing for more than 1 1/2 hours because that's when people start to lose focus.  I'm the type of person where I like to "get in, get done, get out"  you know?

By the way, please, if anyone thinks I'm talking too much or that my subjects or language is inappropriate, or perhaps I shouldn't even be here because you're wondering how long I've "been a Christian", please let me know.  I don't feel like being kicked out of forums for any of those reasons.   :roll:   I thik I just annoyed a couple of members in the Bass Guitar forum.  Thanks.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: Luvphillyman on November 02, 2005, 08:24:46 PM
Oh, so that no one thinks I'm making a "mountain out of a mole hill", here's E XACTLY what was said to me in the Bass Guitar forum:

"You need your own talk show! Wow!   8O

We like having a different perspective here but you know they have a Gospel Singers Forum.

The content of a lot of you conversation is good but leads me to ask, how long have you been a Christian? Not trying to judge you but to understand you... I probably am off a little but I would bet you are considered an outgoing personality"...
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: JoyCH on November 02, 2005, 09:18:49 PM
Quote from: Luvphillyman
Oh, so that no one thinks I'm making a "mountain out of a mole hill", here's E XACTLY what was said to me in the Bass Guitar forum:

"You need your own talk show! Wow!   8O

We like having a different perspective here but you know they have a Gospel Singers Forum.

The content of a lot of you conversation is good but leads me to ask, how long have you been a Christian? Not trying to judge you but to understand you... I probably am off a little but I would bet you are considered an outgoing personality"...


I'm trying to understand you - what does this have to do with choir rehersal? Christians can have a decent conversation - esp. when its not directed to anyone.

Joy
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: LilWes on November 02, 2005, 10:37:59 PM
my state choir rehearsals last about 5 hours  and local about 30 minutes if no one shows up adn 2 hours if they do  8)
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: B3Wannabe on November 03, 2005, 02:10:19 AM
Quote from: JoyCH
Quote from: Luvphillyman
Oh, so that no one thinks I'm making a "mountain out of a mole hill", here's E XACTLY what was said to me in the Bass Guitar forum:

"You need your own talk show! Wow!   8O

We like having a different perspective here but you know they have a Gospel Singers Forum.

The content of a lot of you conversation is good but leads me to ask, how long have you been a Christian? Not trying to judge you but to understand you... I probably am off a little but I would bet you are considered an outgoing personality"...


I'm trying to understand you - what does this have to do with choir rehersal? Christians can have a decent conversation - esp. when its not directed to anyone.

Joy



See: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/ftopict-16239-.html#82632


Dude, you took what he said the wrong way...and like JoyCH says, this has nothing to do with "choir rehearsals".
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: NoelII on November 04, 2005, 09:45:42 AM
My rehearsals start On TIME and can last up to 2 hours. The mind can only absorb what the behind can endure. If I have a big event or something I'll announce that we'll have longer rehearsal (with breaks). I always do vocal warm up exercises for 10-20 min first and prayer. During this warm up I cover tone, breathing, duration, texture, and diction. That way during the songs it's more of a review.  I generally dictate lyrics (they must bring a pad and pencil) and only hand out lyrics to soloists. I do rhythmic phrasing for all the parts then I'll give pitches.  Since I do all the songs like this, review is simply to tighten up things and get more precise (or to remember the song if we haven't done it in a long time).  Instrumental rehearsal is different though.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: MissMusic04 on November 06, 2005, 02:10:12 PM
Well one time in my choir, we introduced a new song on a Saturday because the singer of our song we already practiced had an emergency, so we learned that new song in 3hrs and we sang on Sunday like we practiced all month. Choir rehearsal should not last more than 2 and a half hours or until you feel that you have accomplished something. :)
Title: Rehearsals
Post by: temejo1 on November 06, 2005, 11:43:24 PM
My choir spends the first 10-15 minutes taking care of business...old and new.  Then, we spend the next 30 minutes going over all of the songs we sing...the shortened version of course.  We then learn a new song the remainder of the time.  The musicians (myself included) already know how to play the songs, the directress knows the song, and so does the leader, if there is one.  However, there are times when we just go over old songs and not learn new ones.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: princeoftheb3 on November 07, 2005, 11:54:51 PM
I believe a Choir rehersal should last as long as it takes the choir to get the song right without the words in front of their faces, whether or not if it's for an event of some sort, because I don't believe you should do anything special just because you got a huge crowd, I believe you should do the same thing for the Members that you do for the guests.
Title: choir rehersal
Post by: catty on November 08, 2005, 02:23:04 PM
Both choirs (at different churches) rehearse 1 1/2 hours. We practice a few minutes little longer if we're still working on a specific song or part.  We sing two selections on Sundays.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: T-Block on November 08, 2005, 07:34:57 PM
We practice for about 1 1/2 hours.  I wish it was longer.  That is too short in my opinion.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: JoyCH on November 08, 2005, 08:44:11 PM
Quote from: T-Block
We practice for about 1 1/2 hours.  I wish it was longer.  That is too short in my opinion.


John Manley would love this. I sure hope he doesn't see this post.  :D

Joy
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: rickshaun on November 12, 2005, 12:21:47 PM
I work with a well developed choir and in order to get your choir better it will take 30 minutes to warm  up. i dont care how good they are, breathing skills and range can always be increased. My choir rehearsals last  anywhere between 2 to 3 hours. its not that my choir is not capable of finishing in a shorter time but i am a perfectionist and things shall be done in decency and in order so we stay until it is done right. No point in singing learning a song and mess it up sunday because no accuracy was taught in the rehearsal... WE stay long as it takes because we want to be the best we can be. NOT for show but for the kingdom. No point in letting your gift go to waste if you can perfect it.
We start on time
Praise and worship for about 15 min
Warm up lasts 30min
Learning a song is atleast 30to 45 min (we learn atleast two songs)
Run thru all songs and dismiss.

Now it seemed unnececsarry to me when i started but in order fo r a song to be sung well it should be taught well. no matter how easy or hard the song is. Every accented note, pronounciation of words, intervals, etc should be taught accurately in order to get your choir to a great perfection.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: JoyCH1 on November 12, 2005, 07:51:11 PM
Rick wrote:

Quote
My choir rehearsals last anywhere between 2 to 3 hours. its not that my choir is not capable of finishing in a shorter time but i am a perfectionist and things shall be done in decency and in order so we stay until it is done right


Brother I agree with getting it right but when you work as many hours as I do - 3 hours is a long time. Bboy suggest 90 minutes and you can do it in that time.

Joy
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: SisterSteinway88 on November 12, 2005, 10:53:08 PM
Our church has a lot of choirs -- Children, youth, Annointed Voices, the Majestic Choir, the Sanctuary Choir, the Mass Male Choir, Acts Chapter Two (praise team) and don't forget the handbell choir Shekinah Glory.  Then of course there's the M.A.S.S. choir for special occasions, and the Chorale (an ensemble that does the high-brow sheet music stuff).  As senior accompanist I'm responsible for most of their rehearsals.  The shortest are the kids and the handbells, who practice 1 to 1 1/2 hours; the Sanctuary Choir and the M.A.S.S. choirs practice anywhere from 1 1/2 to three hours, depending on what kind of songs they're working on--their directors believe in practicing until they get it RIGHT.  The musicians (The Posse) practice about two hours, mostly because we have three services worth of music to cover.  Each choir has three songs to render; every now and then each choir comes up with three NEW songs for us to learn.  When that happens, we musicians threaten to go on strike, but no one seems to care. :roll:
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: Chocolatedrps on November 18, 2005, 01:04:20 AM
I would say 1 1/2 to  2 hours no more than because you would first want to allow time for any administrative things to pass along. and give everyone time to come in from the activities the day and be able to focus on an effective rehearsal. Then you can get into the vocal warm ups and singing. All of this should take no more than two hours.
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: ReddGirl on December 06, 2005, 09:53:24 AM
Usually 2 - 3 hours, but that is too long. I think 1 hour is enough if you are organized. It gets drawn out when we don't know what we are going to sing or if there is some talking. GEESH!
Title: HOW LONG SHOULD A CHOIR REHERSAL LAST?
Post by: Muziqmann on December 06, 2005, 10:13:04 AM
90 mins. tops.  It could be a lot less if th choir comes in focussed on their task.  It takes the Mass (adult) choir longer to rehearse than the Youth choir.