How to create a celebration rehearsal for your choir

Every now and then you may have something special to celebrate with your choir. Perhaps your choir has reached an anniversary, one of your members has achieved something momentous, or maybe it's just the end of a great season. Whatever the occassion, it's possible to create something special while keeping on track with your rehearsal. Here are some ideas.

Party lights

Nothing says party or special occassion like fairy lights! Flourescent lights just aren't the same. Gather what you have at home or ask some members to bring supplies and arrive a little early to rehearsal to create a magical twinkly setting for your choir which will have a real wow factor when people arrive. Of course, it's important that the soft lighting does allow people to see themselves to their seats.

The added bonus of this idea is that it will be more difficult to see lyrics or read music so it's perfect for those rehearsals when you want everyone to commit to singing from memory.

Warm-up the party

Focus on fun teambuilding warm-ups in the rehearsal. Rounds with actions are great fun, or get your singers creating their own masterpiece with some improvisation.

Take a cake break

Delicious cake is a big part of any celebration. Involve your singers and get baking for a splendid half time selection. The promise of cake will certainly get them working hard in the rehearsal. Allow yourself enough space to lay out cakes and enlist a couple of helpers to help make sure everyone gets served quickly and efficiently. While you may wish to have an extended break, you don't want it eating (pardon the pun) into too much rehearsal time. If you are keen to raise money for charity, you could even have a donation box.

Sing some old favourites

A special night calls for special songs. Choose half a dozen songs from your repertoire that your choir loves and are easy to remember, particularly if you haven't sung them for a while. Mix everyone up towards the end of the rehearsal for an added social element and have a good sing through. If the event is for a specific singer, you could ask them in advance to choose a couple of their favourites.

Take some snaps

A party is the perfect time to capture your choir with your camera. Fun group shots or social pictures are great fun and always look good on your website.