"Cause we're warm-in up"

On Page 16, Tharp talks about the beginning of a dance class and how it is beautiful to watch. How it always begins with the ritual of warm-up…sound familiar? But, how many of you realize just how important (physically, mentally, emotionally) the choral warm-up really is?

Well, as they say in the south, “I’m fixin’ to tell ‘ya”! I’ve done one of MY rituals (making the obligatory cup of herb tea after dinner) and so I thought I’d sip and reflect on the warm-up. Let me also be VERY honest here…it is my VERY least favorite rehearsal ritual. Like Tharp’s two hour workout in the gym. Obviously important (like scales are to the pianist), but tending toward the tedious…if we LET it.

Let me share some important things to remember (thanks to Sally K. Albrecht) about the warmup. “The choral warm-up will establish the mood for the rehearsal, as well as serve functionally to prepare the singers and their voices for singing”. She goes on to say that this is the time when singers realize something important is going to happen and to see that the conductor is “prepared, ready, and enthusiastic” for what is about to take place. Vocal/choral majors, take note of all of this. The tone for the rehearsal is set at the top (the conductor) and it is set at the outset (beginning) of the rehearsal. I can’t stress enough the importance of the conductor as leader (more on this later).

Here are Dr. Albrecht’s goals for the choral warm-up. First, they should “establish, cultivate, educate, and affirm the necessity for the singers to respond to the conductor’s gestures”. Second, they are to physically warm up the body and vocal instrument. And lastly, they reinforce ensemble techniques (like listening, responding as a unit). Good to remember next time you are tempted to “ZONE OUT” during warm-ups. Challenge yourself to “TUNE IN” next time. By the way, these helpful hints are taken from THE CHORAL WARM-UP COLLECTION (all vocal/choral majors will be required to purchase this book in Choral Techniques).

Now, a compliment and a suggestion. Overall, today’s rehearsal went well and we accomplished a lot. However, we didn’t accomplish everything on my list. This wasn’t because the list was too long; it was because we lost time with, as they say, idle chatter. Having to stop to remind you that I’m the one you should be listening to is like letting the air out of an inflated balloon. It isn’t any fun and it can ruin the party. Dr. O