Stop Trying to Keep Everyone Happy
Choirs suffer enormously when decision-making becomes overly reactive.
The Choir Boss
Stop Conducting Every Note
“A choir that cannot survive without constant conducting has not really learned the music.”
The Singer Who Marks Absolutely Nothing
They simply nod with enormous sincerity and continue staring at the page as though the information will transfer telepathically into long-term memory.
Your Choir Does Not Need Another Committee Meeting
Many choirs believe organisational problems are solved by holding more meetings. In reality, excessive meetings are often a sign that leadership clarity has already begun to disappear.
There comes a moment in the life of almost every choir when somebody says:
“We should probably have a meeting about this.”
The
Stop Talking So Much
One of the most common rehearsal mistakes conductors make has nothing to do with technique, repertoire or musicianship. It is talking for too long.
Most conductors begin rehearsing because they love music.
Unfortunately, many eventually begin rehearsing as though the choir has arrived to attend a lecture.
This happens gradually.
The Person Who Starts Packing Before the Final Chord Ends
From that moment onward, the final cadence becomes psychologically contaminated. Nobody is thinking about blend anymore. Half the altos are now wondering who did it.
Stop Starting at the Beginning
Good conductors understand that rehearsal time should feel slightly uncomfortable. Difficult transitions need to be isolated. Awkward page turns need repetition.