The Importance of Choir Practice

Every choir will spend time in practice. Music is a learned discipline that requires actually doing the skill to learn it well. Even if each choir member is given the materials to learn on their own, assuming that they have the skills to teach themselves, is could not replace an organized group practice time. Choir practice should be a time to accomplish many goals including:

• Unifying the individual voices
• Helping the weaker choristers
• Learning new music
• Balancing the sections
• Developing good choral tone
• Honing the direction
• Coordinating with the accompaniment

Please consider the benefits for each of these choral participants.

Choir Singers

Choir practice is the time when choir singers learn their parts and how they fit in to the group. They can listen to other members to get help with weak spots or listen to the other  parts in order to understand the harmony and how their part blends with the rest of the parts. Choir practice time gives the singer an opportunity to concentrate on the music without the distractions of every-day life. The social interaction is good also. Practice is a time to build friendships and join together in a common effort.

Choir Director 

The choir director need practice too.  The only time to get real practice is with a real live choir. Even though a good director will have worked out what is to be done before practice, this is the time to make it happen.  The director will discover ways to help the singers with their task.  This is the time to refine the expression of the songs and improve the quality of the choir's sound.

Choir Accompanists

Playing with the choir and director is important for the instrumental accompanists also.  They adjust the accompaniment to choir balance and make sure the rhythm is together. During practice the accompanists assist the choir with learning the muisc by playing their parts. This is a good way for the singers to get the correct pitch and timing of their line, especially if they do not read music notation well.

Many Voices - One Choir

Choir practice is the time when the individual musicians become a whole and each individual voice blends together becoming a whole, the choir. After all this is a choir not a random group of singers. Blending voices together is a great way to connect in group worship.

Every person in the choir is important. Be diligent to attend all choir practice sessions so you can contribute at your best. Enjoy the experience, learn and fellowship in glorious song!