When I lead a one-off singing day or weekend, I’m always amazed at how many songs I’m able to teach — and how quickly singers pick them up.
This is in stark contrast to weekly choir rehearsals which are often harder work and far less productive. So what’s going on here?
one-off singing workshops
When singers come to a one-off workshop, there’s usually a sense that it’s going to be something different and fun — perhaps even a little less ‘serious’ than a normal choir rehearsal. The venue will often be new, and the song leader unfamiliar.
Workshops tend to happen on weekends when people are more relaxed, rather than on a choir night after a long day at work. There’s usually a stronger social element too, as singers mix with others they’ve not met before.
The stakes are also much lower: there’s no concert on the horizon, no need to remember the songs for next week, and (perhaps most importantly) no expectation that the songs will be performed to a high standard. There simply isn’t time to polish them thoroughly.
All these factors help to relax the singers, put them in a good mood, and create the perfect environment for learning.
Singers have fun, songs are learnt quickly, mistakes are laughed off, and everyone enjoys themselves. There’s no time or space for worrying about getting things ‘right’, and no expectation of perfection.
regular choir rehearsals
If this were a regular choir rehearsal, we’d be revisiting the songs the following week. That’s when doubts start to creep in — singers begin to wonder if they’ve really got their part right, lyrics are scrutinised, and harmonies puzzled over. In short, the brain kicks in and overthinking begins.
Even if the songs sounded great the first time round, by the second or third rehearsal they can start to wobble — or even fall apart completely. It may take a whole term before a song sounds as confident as when it was first taught.
the tricky balance
The secret, then, is to try to maintain that same sense of relaxation and fun in weekly rehearsals. Keep the same vibe as a one-off workshop; don’t take things too seriously, don’t make a big deal about mistakes, don’t focus too long on one song. Keep a light touch—and the joy of singing will do the rest.
Chris Rowbury
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