What Every Chorus Should Know About Its Singers

"Remember, I am balancing many other work and family obligations."

Many singers arrive at chorus rehearsals breathless and stressed. Choral conductors can help them make the transition by warming them up well and having a well-organized, purposeful rehearsal that starts and ends on time.

Respect singers' time by scheduling rehearsals well in advance, scheduling extra rehearsals only when absolutely necessary, and giving ample advance notice of rehearsals, especially when it involves requesting leave from work.

"I may be a volunteer, but I want to be treated professionally."

Treating singers professionally involves respecting their time (as mentioned above), but also recognizing them as musicians who are devoted to the choral art. "Courtesy, respect, and appreciation for my contributions to the chorus are essential," one singer noted.

Another singer, who sings with a chorus with a professional core, said he wanted regular opportunities to audition for small groups and lesser solos. "The staff time investment would be minimal," he said, "the payoff, in terms of self-respect and esprit de corps, considerable."

He also noted that if a chorus member is consistently selected to sing with a professional (AGMA) subgroup, he/she should be offered the opportunity to join the union and be paid and treated accordingly.

"I want you to maintain high standards."

Singers want to sing well and to contribute to their chorus's artistic excellence. So keep pushing toward that goal, even if we grumble. Singers, almost universally, hate auditions, but as one singer said, "Please, please keep re-auditioning every single one of us each year. I want this chorus to maintain the quality that attracted me to it in the first place."

And give singers the tools they need to improve artistically. "There is nothing quite as frustrating as having a choral conductor shout, 'You're flat,' without offering any help for how to fix the problem," one singer said.

Maintaining high standards also means having rules about attendance and sticking to them. "If you make too many concessions for those who miss rehearsals," one singer said, "it encourages others to take their commitment less seriously.

"Understand the limits of the human body."

Pursue artistic excellence, but don't push singers to the breaking point. When accepting invitations for the chorus to sing beyond its scheduled season concerts, consider the wear and tear on your choristers.

Don't schedule rehearsals three or four nights in a row, if it can be avoided. Don't require choristers to stand for long periods (especially if it's hot). Make sure singers have easy access to water. "Some of us are not as young and resilient as we once were," one singer said. "And even the younger singers don't perform as well without rest and hydration."

"We want to be introduced to new music—really!"

While singers love the old warhorses, they also like to get musically refreshed with repertoire they haven't sung before. "I don't want to get stuck in old ruts and new repertoire keeps me learning and growing," one singer said.

"Keep me informed of the inner workings of my chorus."

"I contribute hundreds of hours of time and talent to my chorus—a lot more than just my singing—and I care about the fiscal health and management of my chorus," one singer said. Singers want to know about how the organization is doing—and not just when the organization needs their money.

"Encourage us to take the lead in our chorus."

Singers appreciate leadership opportunities, whether as a section leader, a chorus president, a committee chair, or a board member. "You never know where your next leader will come from unless you keep tilling the soil," one singer said.

"Help me get to know my fellow singers."

"I enjoy meeting other singers in the chorus," one singer said. "Give me opportunities outside of rehearsal to get to know them better—maybe that will cut down on the talking during rehearsal."

"Respect the investment I am making in the chorus."

Singers pay a lot for the privilege of singing with their volunteer chorus—annual dues, performance apparel, transportation to rehearsals and performances, babysitter fees, voice lessons, etc. And that doesn't count the contributions to the annual fund or gala.

"Please don't make us pay for the parking when our chorus is invited to perform in other venues," one singer said. "It's the least you can do."

"Remember, choral singing is much more than just another leisure time activity."

Many choral singers could not imagine a life without singing. That explains a lot of the angst around auditioning and reauditioning: the fear that something precious could be taken away.

"I honestly don't feel entitled to sing in the chorus year after year," one singer told us. "But if the time comes when I am not measuring up, give me some warning, a chance to improve, and then a re-audition. If that still is not enough, don't send me a letter. I want the conductor to call me, or tell me in person. Bring your humanity to the process. I'll accept it a lot more easily. And I will recover."

Now it's your turn. Give us your thoughts on what choruses should know about you, the choral singer.