Choirs versus workshops: the practical differences

I’m seeing lots of great warm-ups and singing advice online these days. But most of it is aimed at choirs which meet regularly.

Many of these ideas won’t work in one-off workshops. Let’s look at the different needs of each.

The kindness of strangers

As Blanche DuBois says in A streetcar named desire: “I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.”

Although I don’t actually depend on it, I’m always surprised and humbled when singers step up to help at a workshop.

When singers want different things

I wrote last week about how No choir can be all things to all singers. Some singers prefer sheet music, others learn best by ear. Some love movement and performance, others just want to stand still and sing.

Here are some of the most common tensions that arise — and a few ways to navigate them.

No choir can be all things to all singers

You can’t please all your singers all the time (see Keeping a choir happy – you can’t please everyone). 

There will inevitably be times when some singers want one thing while others want something very different. How do you keep everybody happy?

Why does movement put so many male singers off?

In my experience, when it comes to moving and singing at the same time, men seem to find it hardest.

photo by Kevin Burke

Why is this, and are there ways to help?

10 foolproof ways to stand out in your choir

It’s important for singers to feel wanted and to know that they play an important part in their choir.

But if nobody notices you, how will you ever shine?

Some want to sit. Some want to stand. Now what?

When I ran community choirs, I used to insist that singers stood during rehearsals. But some complained that their legs ached by the end of the evening.

Now I usually get people to sit for singing sessions. But recently some singers have complained because they prefer to stand! Is there a middle way to keep everybody happy.