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You are here: Home / Archives for rehearsal technique

rehearsal technique

Music Quality in the Church Choir: Tips for Directors

February 22, 2018 By Bryan Holten Leave a Comment

Don’t assume that your church choir can’t do quality music just because they learn slowly.

We’ve all been here before. Somewhere in your music files (likely tucked under “Q” for “Quatre Motets”) is the Duruflé Ubi Caritas, a much beloved setting of a timeless text. Trouble is, you only have enough tenors and basses to place one on each part, and that’s if they’re all present! So much for programming something great, right? If only your church choir could learn music more quickly.

Because there are so many faults underlying this assumption, I’m going to tackle them one at a time.

[Read more…] about Music Quality in the Church Choir: Tips for Directors

Filed Under: Philosophy, Technique/How-To Tagged With: philosophy, programming, rehearsal technique, self awareness

Choir Anthems for Church: A Strategy for Filtering

January 20, 2018 By Bryan Holten Leave a Comment

sheet music for choir

Learning to simplify in the right ways can make life easier.

One of the most challenging tasks for any church music director, especially those who serve smaller congregations, is choosing music for their small choir. Generally speaking, the fewer congregants you have, the smaller your choir (if you even have one), and the more limited your options. My challenge to you today is that you reconsider how to respond to those limitations. Often the best solution is to simplify. Choose easier music, so that your singers can actually enjoy the process of making music, rather than merely learning notes.

[Read more…] about Choir Anthems for Church: A Strategy for Filtering

Filed Under: Technique/How-To Tagged With: experimentation, programming, rehearsal technique, simplification

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