The standard description of the 5 p’s is : prior preparation prevents poor performance. I would prefer to focus on the positives so have changed 2 of the p’s to make it : prior preparation produces polished performances.
I also love the saying : He/she who fails to prepare, prepares to fail.
Logically nobody wants to give a poor performance or fail yet without a proper plan for success in place the likelihood of a good performance is small. We can hope and wish for one but without prior preparation it isn’t guaranteed.
Before you even utter a sound consider the meaning of the text, your phrasing, the notes you have to sing and the words you are conveying. Know the song well enough so that you are not glued to the score and can look at the MD from time to time. The more automatic some of the aspects of your singing are the more time you have to focus on other things that will improve everything. The more consciously you deal with singing during rehearsals the easier and more natural it will be during a performance.
How does the song make you feel if you heard somebody else sing it? How do you feel when you sing it? How well do you think you sing the song? What aspects could you improve upon. Use the time at rehearsal wisely and efficiently so that your singing improves and thus the whole choir improves. Learn to evaluate what it is you have done and you will make faster progress than if you don’t consciously work at it.
Are you aware that perhaps others in your section are struggling with certain phrases or notes? Are you all pronouncing the words the same especially when singing in a foreign language. Be brave and ask the MD what they expect from you. If you have thought of a question then chances are so have others and some are worried about looking silly if they ask a question. There are no such things as stupid questions and the MD is there to help you as they want you to sing to the best of your ability.
Once you have sung a song do you take the time to consider what you did well and what you could have done better. I notice that people are quick to critique themselves for what has gone wrong but rarely give themselves a pat on the back for things that have gone well, (that just seems to be a given that it should have gone well anyway). There will always be things that go well and those that don’t. It is important for improvement to recognise both and find a constructive way to talk to yourself when things are not quite going as you would like them too. Mark your score in pencil if you need to with some helpful positive instructions.
Exercise
During rehearsal take some time out to be silent and listen to the rest of the choir. What do you hear?
