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.
The role of a choir leader is rarely about finding perfect solutions. It’s usually about finding the best compromise for this choir, these singers, and this situation.
sheet music or learning by ear?
If your choir teaches exclusively by ear, make that clear from the outset. Singers who rely heavily on notation may simply need a different kind of choir.
In one-off workshops, though, it helps to engage readers and non-readers equally.
See How to cope with sheet music if you don’t read and usually learn songs by ear and How to cope with learning by ear if you usually read music notation.
name badges or learning names naturally?
Some people love name badges. Personally, I don’t like them because I never end up learning anybody’s name properly.
A simple compromise is to use a quick name game or go round the circle once, whilst also providing something like a photo gallery for later reference.
See Why I don’t use name badges at my singing workshops.
lyric sheets or learning by ear?
Lyric sheets can easily get in the way of singing because singers spend their time looking down instead of listening.
But some songs have lots of verses or unfamiliar languages. Rather than avoiding those songs altogether, I prefer putting lyrics onto a wall in large print so singers can still look up and engage.
See Are written lyrics a hindrance or a help when learning a song?
warm-ups or straight into singing?
Some singers hate warm-ups and want to get straight to the songs.
Usually this changes once they understand why warm-ups matter. One useful trick is to start singing before warming up, then revisit the same song afterwards and notice the difference.
See Are warm ups necessary for singers? and The singers who didn’t like warm ups (and what became of them).
songs in English or with foreign lyrics?
There’s a whole world of wonderful music beyond English-language songs.
Many singers worry that foreign lyrics will be difficult, but unfamiliar words are often easier to remember because we learn them syllable by syllable instead of relying on assumptions.
See Don’t be too quick to dismiss songs that aren’t in English and Why learning songs with foreign lyrics need not be scary.
tea breaks or singing straight through?
Some singers would happily sing all day without stopping.
But breaks matter — not only for vocal health, but because they allow singers to socialise and help build a sense of community.
See The importance of breaks in rehearsals and singing workshops.
harmonies or unison singing?
Harmony singing can feel difficult and intimidating at first. But singing well in unison is also surprisingly hard.
The good news is that harmony becomes easier with practice, and singers can always stay with the tune until they gain confidence.
See Singing harmony can be hard and scary – here’s how to make it easier.
accompaniment or a cappella?
Accompaniment can help singers stay in tune and in time.
But occasional a cappella singing teaches singers to listen more carefully and can reveal the true beauty of the choir sound without instruments competing for attention.
See 5 reasons why every choir concert should include at least one a cappella song.
choir uniform or casual clothes?
Some singers love the idea of branded t-shirts and a recognisable choir identity.
Personally, it’s never really been my thing. Choir uniforms can feel unified and professional, but they can also feel a little corporate.
See Dress to impress – choosing suitable outfits for your choir.
circles or rows?
Working in a circle can feel inclusive and connected. Rows can feel more formal, but are sometimes more practical.
The space itself often dictates the best approach. Sometimes a mixture works best.
See The benefits and drawbacks of working in a circle when singing.
daytime or evening rehearsals?
Evening rehearsals suit working people, but not everybody likes going out at night.
Daytime choirs suit some singers perfectly whilst excluding others entirely. Some choirs solve this by offering both.
See How to start your own community choir 4 — The right place and the right time.
public performances or no concerts?
Some singers love performing. Others find it deeply uncomfortable.
One compromise is to make performances optional so singers can still belong to the choir without feeling pressured to appear in public.
See 7 ways to share your choir’s singing without making a big performance of it.
mixed choir or single gender?
Some singers feel more comfortable in single-gender groups. Others love the richness and range of a mixed choir.
Both approaches have their own qualities, and there is room for both.
See How mixed choirs are different to single-sex choirs.
indoors or outdoors?
Some choirs love outdoor performances. Personally, I’m not a huge fan.
Again, much depends on the culture of the choir and whether participation is optional.
See Performing outdoors – tips and tricks and The joys of outdoor singing.
movement-based warm-ups or chair-based?
I believe the voice is rooted in the body, so my warm-ups involve movement.
But every exercise can be adapted for singers with limited mobility or who prefer to remain seated.
See How to adapt singing warm ups if you have limited mobility.
choralography or standing still?
Some choirs are known for movement and choreography. Others prefer to focus entirely on the singing.
If movement is only occasional, there are usually compromises available: optional participation, simpler moves, or limiting choreography to certain singers.
See Singing and moving – at the same time! and You need to dance, then you can sing.
No choir will ever suit everybody equally.
The important thing is to be clear about your choir’s ethos, whilst remaining flexible enough to accommodate different needs where possible.
Chris Rowbury
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