The #1 Rehearsal Framework for any Choir
Hi Music Minister,
In this article, I want to share with you my favorite rehearsal framework
It is so effective that if you implement it, it will make you question what you've been doing all these years!
Before we get started, this February, I'm offering a full $100 OFF my Choir Essentials Training Program and Advanced Vocal Technique
See the full instructions to order below and be sure to use the coupon code SAVE100
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Ok, let's get into it!
Here are some of the most common mistakes I see when choir directors rehearse their pieces:
*They only run through the piece over and over again with minimal improvements
*They rehearse one part of the piece, particularly the beginning, but neglect the other sections (middle/end)
*They let their choir get away with musical murder without knowing how to address the real issues
If this is you, listen up!!
In my decades of experience as a music director/leader, the #1 rehearsal framework is Macro, Micro, Macro
Macro refers to big sections of music - it could be the whole piece or a large section like the beginning, middle or end of a piece
Micro refers to smaller sections - think about 1-12 bar sections
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This framework works for any length of rehearsal time. For example, if you have 4 weeks to prepare a piece, your first and last weeks will be more Macro oriented and the middle 2 weeks will be more Micro oriented.
If you have 30 minutes to work on a piece, the first and last 5-7 minutes will be Macro oriented and the middle section will be Micro oriented.
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Let's say we have 4 weeks to prepare a piece:
Week 1: Start with Macro. Give them a run through of the piece so they get a sense of it. Only stop if the ship is falling apart! You CAN take the piece slowly if you want which will help them to sight read a bit better. Whatever you do, give them a sense of the whole, even if you play a recording for them.
Week 2: Begin to focus on the Micro. If it were me, I will often choose the hardest 8-32 measures and actually rehearse it until they felt comfortable. My program covers how to rehearse harmonies and melodies....But, I would NOT always start at the beginning of the piece. It is fair at this stage to jump around the piece for efficiency. As you do this, your goal is to start rebuilding back up to larger and larger sections. For example, you might rehearse 3 sections of 8 bars each and then conclude with a run through of those 24 bars. If they screw up when it's a larger section, break it down a little bit more (micro) until they can do the whole section
Week 3: Continue rehearsing micro sections and building into larger macro sections. In the back of your mind, you want to be able to run the whole piece with success next week (or do a rougher run through this week).
Week 4: Back to Macro. Start with a larger run through of the piece - Can they do it successfully? Make small tweaks until the whole piece shines.
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What I LOVE about this framework is that it works for different time lengths, whether you have 20 minutes, 60 minute, or 10 weeks!
Give it a try and let me know how it worked for you
And if you'd like all of my rehearsal strategies, frameworks and knowledge, I bottled up decades of experience and put it into the Choir Essentials Training Program for you
This program will help any choir to attract more members, sound professional and feel fully fulfilled by their ministry
Your choir will be SO motivated you'll have to kick them out after each Sunday!
I recently started a new position and we've already attracted 5 new members, doubled the choir's volume and massively improved their collective sound/balance/blend!
It only takes a skilled director to do this, but with the right training anyone can do it
This February, you can save $100 by using the discount code SAVE100
Full instructions to order Choir Essentials Training Program:
1. Click the link here: Choir Essentials Training Program
2. Press the red button, "Get Choir Essentials Training Program"
3. Choose the Basic or Platinum version and press "Sign Me Up!"
4. Type in the coupon code SAVE100 where it says Coupon Code
See you in the program or on Zoom if you choose the Platinum version,
Mike
