The Art of Barbershop - Step by Step

As a choreography team member, we spend a lot of time in front of the chorus, preaching, teaching, and pushing to get people to “turn it on” and perform.  One question that I seem to get all of the time is “how can we be expected to be 100% on all of the time?”.  To this I say, “get real!”. 

Most choruses rehearse for a pretty solid three hours a week, and when it comes to coaching, contest time, and retreats, it can be far longer than that.  My advice is this…  when the pitch pipe blows, or your director is ready to proceed, then you are “on”.  When the music stops and the director or a chorus leader is speaking about what they are looking for you to accomplish, you can relax, breathe deep, take a drink of water, relax your arms, and relax your face.  Use this time to listen intently to what is being asked of you.  Then when it is time to shine, you are ready.

Yes – EVERY time you perform, do it “all out”.  It is the only way that you will be ready for it come performance time.  Too many people rely on the “I’ll be up when I’m on stage” excuse.  It just doesn’t work that way.  I have even been accused of looking tired or disinterested in between songs because people don’t know that I am just conserving my energy.  They do know, however, that when it comes time to perform the music I will be on.  Always.

***SPECIAL TIP OF THE DAY*** 
Talking to your riser neighbor takes energy.  If you start talking as soon as the singing stops and then go back to singing, you are going non-stop and will wear out sooner.
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 By using those “down time” moments to relax and listen, you are not only doing your body a favor, but you are allowing your chorus leadership to their job without having to talk over you and you will be more apt to know what you are being asked to do next.

Sing/RELAX, sing/RELAX, etc., etc.

It will help you do two things….

First, you will conserve energy and allow for your best effort when it comes time to perform.  Second, when you do perform your best in rehearsal, you will perform better on stage.  I promise.