I tend to teach songs quickly (see How many songs can you teach in an hour?). I can easily get through 6-8 songs in a one-day workshop.
A singer recently said to me that quality might be better than quantity. Yes, she’d learnt a lot of different songs, but didn’t feel that she’d really nailed any of them.
You can’t please all the singers all the time.
Some will like your workshop offering, others won’t. That’s the nature of the job.
But maybe this singer had a point.
I try to offer a wide range of song types and styles in every singing workshop. Some in three parts, others in four. Fast ones and slow ones. Songs from a range of different cultures and languages. Tricky songs and easy songs.
I think variety is important (there’s a better chance of every singer learning at least one song they like!). Starting off with an easy song is important too.
But I also think it’s important that singers go home with a sense of achievement. That means at least one challenging song. When that comes together, there will be a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
It’s all about balance of course.
Too many simple songs: boring. Too many challenging songs: hard work! Not enough songs: unsatisfactory. Too many songs: overwhelming
The same applies to your choir’s repertoire and weekly rehearsals. You need to get the balance just right.
You might also like How to find the balance between easy and challenging songs in a drop-in singing group.
Chris Rowbury
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