Blog
Blog
Is it time for a break?
We're pretty sure you'll agree 2020 has been a year like no other! For the last few months we have closed down rehearsals, gone online with our choirs, learned a whole new set of choir-leading skills, not to mention all the tech we've needed to get to grips with. BUT, we've seen amazing results with community spirit, the joy of singing and solidarity stronger than ever before.
Phew! That's a lot.
So, with that in mind here's three great reasons why we think you should take a break in August, …
Choir leader lockdown stories
The Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown have affected us all. Now we are united not only as choir leaders, but because we are all in the same boat - unable to gather our choirs for rehearsals and performances.
The response from Total Choir Resources members has been nothing short of amazing; an inspiring testament to the love, generosity and belief in singing that we all have.
Times are tough in so many ways. There’s no denying that all our lives have been touched by this pandemic in…
How choir leaders are making a difference
It feels like about a century ago, but was actually less than two months, that we all had call a halt to choir rehearsals to protect our choirs and ourselves from the spread of the coronavirus.
This pandemic is hard on all of us - overwhelming and scary. It feels like we're just treading water, with the pleasure of meeting and singing together just a dim memory.
How choir leaders have risen to face the crisis
But look what we've done. We've accepted the situation is challenging, we've found…
How to create a knockout programme for your next choir concert
Mix it up
Think about the music styles that will appear in the concert. If it is a specific work of a composer or a musical theatre show then there will be a pre-determined order. If, however, your show is more of a variety performance, with an eclectic range of mus…Plan ahead for a smooth choir rehearsal season
Avoid 'traffic jams'
If you're lucky enough to receive lots of invitations for your choir to perform, think carefully before you accept, even if it's something exciting that you're dying to say yes to. Most people sing in choirs because it's fun and enjoyabl…How to freshen up your choir rehearsals
Start as you mean to go on
Remember that just because you do things in the same order week after week, it doesn't mean you can't change them. Of course there are certain pre-requisites, such as needing to warm-up before singing, but eve…Practical tips for recruiting new singers to your choir
When it comes to recruiting singers to choirs, from semi-professional ensembles to community groups, two things have to be in place. First, potential members have to know about the choir. Second, they have to want to sing in the choir. Let's look at ways that you can tick these two vital boxes and attract singers to your choir.
Raising your choir's profile
Unless your choir is very unusual (eg a scratch choir that meets once a year for a single project), you're probably looking to attract sing…
Give your choir a challenge with 'a cappella' singing
The benefits are huge, however, so think about whether it's time to mix things up in your choir with some a cappella singing, whether it's just for fun and development, or for a performance.
Accompaniment becomes a security blanket
It's fantastic to have a good accompanist in rehearsals. As well as accompanying the choir's singing, they help out wi…4 easy time management tips for choir leaders
In this post, I'll set out a few habits you can cultivate to avoid that sinking feeling, get on top of the work involved in leading your choir and get more enjoyment out of your role.
Learn to say no
Whether your choir is amateur, charitable or professional, offers of engagements are very hard to turn down, …The 3 essentials that make a great choir leader
Empathy
A choir is a group of people, each experiencing the music and the process of rehearsing and performing in their own unique way. A choir leader who can put themselves in the shoes of their singers will always be at an advantage.Only when we understand the experi…