[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]
For the last two weeks I've been sharing a series of 'Frequently asked questions' that I wrote as a result of questionnaires that I used to send round my choir. There was Part 1, then Part 2, and now the final Part 3.
There are just so many reasons not to sit down when singing! Sitting down:
- lowers energy levels (it’s just too easy to fall asleep);
- compresses the diaphragm and makes it harder to breathe properly;
- makes it hard to engage the whole body properly when singing;
- doesn’t allow people to easily move around and sing their part against other parts;
- promotes the tendency to always be singing next to the same person;
- doesn’t make it easy to swap parts in a song;
- generates a reliance on other people instead of taking responsibility for knowing the part yourself;
- causes a hassle having to set out the chairs and put them away again at the end.
And I’m sure there are other reasons too!
There are two main reasons why I have used chairs in the past:
(1) I am aware that it’s tiring (after a hard day’s work) to simply stand around whilst other people are learning their parts, and
(2) if people are free to move around (and swap parts readily), it’s really hard to keep tabs on how many people are singing any particular part .
However, even though you’re tired, standing and moving around can really energise you and literally keeps you on your toes.
Yes, it is much easier to learn your part if you’re surrounded by loads of people doing the same thing. The trouble is that you might end up depending on them for support, much better to know 100% what you’re supposed to be doing.
We learn harmony songs, so the greatest pleasure is (surely?) hearing your part sung against another part. If you’re in a large group of people singing the same part, you won’t have that experience. Much better to walk around and sing your part against someone else.
I think it’s just human nature that people head for the same place each week. It’s also comforting to be next to people you know well and are singing the same part. I agree, I think it’s a great idea to mix people up and for people to try different parts or sing next to different people.
However, organising such a large group is hard and time-consuming so, in the past, I’ve left it up to individuals to challenge themselves. Some weeks I do try and prompt this a bit in different ways.
I quite agree! Part of it is that we’re Brits and don’t tend to show our emotions that much, also in our cultures we don’t tend to be IN our bodies that much, and are slightly embarrassed about moving around. When people concentrate, they tend to frown and look serious. The secret is to stop concentrating and trust that you know what you’re doing, and then your enjoyment should carry over.
Many people don’t realise how glum and stiff they look in concert. I’m not sure this is about “performance techniques” – I don’t feel that I have to TEACH you how to smile – it’s more about self-awareness and letting go of inhibitions. That’s pretty much up to you! I do have an issue with choirs who have been told to smile. They often look very uncomfortable and unnatural. Better if it comes from within from a genuine joy of singing. One day I will video the choir and you can see what you really look like when performing!
On the whole, we DO have such a repertoire. It may not be quite small enough for you, but we do have a core set of “fave raves” that most people know and can sing at the drop of a hat. The trouble with a really restricted repertoire is that people would soon get bored at concerts!
That’s not what this choir is. We do songs from around the world and I teach the harmonies. If that’s not quite what you signed up for, then maybe there are other choirs out there that would suit you better.
It’s also INCREDIBLY difficult to improvise in such a large group. It’s hard enough in a group of 12 or less (I know!). Also, many, many people in the choir would not feel confident doing this so would feel very much left out. I try to make the choir as inclusive as possible.
How would one police this?
There are some people, for various reasons, who have to miss a few weeks. One of these people may be an accomplished singer who has been coming to the choir for years and knows most of the songs inside out. Or it may be someone who has just joined and is having a bit of difficulty catching up.
Many, many times I make it clear that performing is OPTIONAL and you don’t have to know every song in a particular concert. Also, if you don’t know a song well enough, DON’T SING IT in concert! Don’t make things difficult for yourself, don’t place these pressures on yourself – it’s supposed to be fun!
I would rather use this form of trust than ask people not to perform. Otherwise we’ll turn into just another ‘normal’ choir!
Because we’re a world music choir! We’re not here to pander to the audience. There are plenty of choirs who do this sort of stuff, so let them go and watch them.
It’s interesting that this always comes up, that people SAY they want to sing more songs which are English, upbeat, familiar, pop, etc. Yet when I ask the choir what their favourite songs of all time are, it’s always the slow, lush, foreign, traditional songs that come in the top 10!!
When I have tried to introduce such songs (e.g. Good Vibrations, Don’t worry be happy, etc.) I’ve met with considerable resistance.
Chris Rowbury: chrisrowbury.com
