5 Ways to Thank Your Singers

It was the fall of 2019 and I was bored. I wanted to be conducting more challenging music, but I was not “qualified” for any of the existing community chorus jobs because I don’t have a doctorate yet. I built a highly mediocre, pre-formatted website and an Instagram page, and I was SHOCKED when I showed up to the first rehearsal and there were over 30 people there. I am still shocked every Thursday evening when I show up to rehearsal and the choir is there. And I am oh so grateful. Sometimes as conductors, we get so wrapped up in the music, the schedule, the program, and everything that we forget to show gratitude to our singers for just being in the room. They are the reason we get to conduct. The voices in the seats. How do we SHOW that gratitude to our singers? Here are five ways.

1. Respect their time

   1. It doesn’t matter how old your singers are. Put up a schedule on the board and stick to it. 

   2. At a presentation by Sharon Paul, she introduced the idea of rather than just listing the song title, make it a little mystery for your singers. I like to use pictures, a play on words, the IPA of a phrase from a song, maybe it’s a rhythm or a melodic pattern the singers have to read and figure out which song they will sing next. It makes the rehearsal plan something they look forward to. Dr. Paul’s book Art and Science in the Choral Rehearsal is a wonderful deep dive into this concept. 

2. Come prepared and allow them to come prepared 

   1. Publish what you will rehearse ahead of time. Here is a free season-long rehearsal planner that you can edit to your needs. 

   2. Include at least one new warm-up or an extension of a warm-up each week. Constantly keep them guessing… and you won’t get bored either. If you’re just getting started, two of my favorite warm-up books are this book for younger singers and this one for older singers. 

3. Choose repertoire that appeals to a wide audience 

   1. I know I’ve succeeded when everyone’s favorite piece is different. 

   2. Selecting repertoire is a whole other post coming soon. 

4. Tell them! 

   1. Say thank you for being here. Thank you for being present. Thank you for putting your phones away and checking into rehearsal. Thank you for sharing your talents. 

   2. Write thank-you notes. One year, it was right after COVID and the choir was small. I wrote a note to each member of the choir thanking them for their hard work throughout the season. Check out these for a time-saving size!

5. Make rehearsals fun 

   1. Mix in some way to create new connections. Good news at the beginning of rehearsal, a snaps challenge with kudos and compliments, this spotlight form, four corners, any number of singing games.

It’s 2024, and here I am a little bored again. I’ve settled into a solid routine after conducting at the same place in the same format for the past 8 years. So this blog and sharing of resources are my new fun challenge. I’m grateful to you for reading, and I look forward to putting my thoughts into words here a little more often.