Practicing your part at home is one of the most powerful ways to build confidence—and that confidence has a ripple effect! When you feel strong and secure in your part, it lifts the whole choir and contributes to everyone enjoying the music even more. You might be surprised by how much your personal growth can inspire and support those around you!
There are many ways to work on the music outside of rehearsal. Each one helps in its own way, and together they create a strong foundation for learning. Below is a list of techniques you can use, arranged both in the order you might find most effective and by how much time we recommend spending on each.
Try to devote the most time to numbers 1 and 2, and the least to number 7.
***Click to the right of this text to open the list***
Passive Listening
Play the music in the background while you go about your day—driving, cooking, doing chores, etc. Just having it in your ears helps build familiarity.
Active Listening
Sit down and really focus on the recording. You can follow along with your score or simply listen attentively. This helps you internalize the music more deeply.
Clapping the Rhythm
Clap along with your part, either with the recording or just by reading the score. This helps solidify the rhythm and feel of your part.
Singing with Nonsense Syllables
Try singing your part using neutral sounds (like “la” or “doo”), with or without the recording—or using a keyboard if you play one. This helps you focus on pitch and rhythm without worrying about the words.
Speaking the Text in Rhythm
Talk through your part in rhythm instead of singing it. This helps connect the words to the rhythm and phrasing without overwhelming your brain.
Isolating Tricky Sections
Zoom in on the parts that give you trouble. Repeating and refining small sections is a great way to build confidence and accuracy.
Singing from Start to Finish
Singing your part all the way through can be fun and useful from time to time—but it’s not the most efficient way to learn. Use it as a reward or a check-in after focusing on the other techniques.
Performing Members shall be all members who sing regularly with CCSB and pay dues. The requirement of dues may be waived, or a discount granted by the Board of Directors in case of hardship. All performing members shall meet the following minimum of active participation requirements
Members are expected to attend rehearsals. The Music Director will determine the acceptable number of absences for the season's concert preparation periods. That number will be indicated at the beginning of the concert season or first rehearsal. Singers with more than the maximum allowed number of absences will be permitted to perform only at the discretion of the Music Director in consultation with the Board of Directors.
Attendance at dress rehearsals and at all scheduled season concerts is mandatory. Absence will be excused by the Music Director only under extraordinary circumstances.