The different silences in singing

Silence is not just the absence of sound.

photo by Thomas Leuthard

When singing as a group, there are several kinds of silence, each with its own quality.

How can you avoid singers doing nothing while other parts are being taught? — 4 ideas to reduce waiting time

Inevitably, some singers will wait around doing nothing while the choir leader focuses on one of the other harmony parts. 

Whether you teach by ear (as I do) or use sheet music, this will happen. However, there are ways of minimising this waiting time.