The best choir achieves a grace and beauty that is greater than the sum of its parts. But this is not an effect that can be created overnight. Individual talent and confidence is essential, but to really achieve new heights, every member of your choir needs to learn how to listen to one another while they are singing
There are a number of techniques to becoming a better listener, and making use of these will have a real effect on producing the coherent, blended sound that exemplifies every good choir. Let’s take a look at a couple of techniques you might include, to bring listening skills into your everyday rehearsal routine.
Listen to your individual section
Whether you are bass or soprano, there are a number of advantages that come from listening to those around you while you are singing. You will be able to critically assess whether you are singing in tune and at the right volume. Listening properly means you will create a better blend with your fellow singers.
However, listening to your own section is only half the story. A choir consists of multiple parts that need to come together, so you need to listen to the others too.
Listen to the other sections
Getting it right between the different sections is where the overall harmonies either come together perfectly or fall apart. In general we can hear the voices to the rear and side of us more clearly than those in front, so some strategic planning is necessary with the overall formation. It is a good idea to rotate these so that the tenors get a chance to hear the sopranos, the altos get a chance to hear the basses and so on.
Things to try
Here are some practical exercises that you could try during rehearsal to improve listening skills:
Sing with everyone standing and facing the center of the choir loft, to give everyone a chance to hear different components of the choir while singing.
Then try the opposite, with everyone singing with their backs to the center of the loft.
If space permits, have the whole choir stand in a circle and sing.
Better listeners make better singers
Teaching listening skills is not as simple as it sounds, and you might have your doubts about adding yet more to a crowded rehearsal schedule. But give it a try, you will be amazed at the difference it can make.
