Revitalizing Your Choral Group After a Break

After a long break, such as the Christmas holiday, a choral group can face challenges when returning to rehearsals. Choir members may feel disconnected from the music, lack focus, or struggle to find their voice again after time away. As the conductor, your role is essential in guiding the choir back into shape and inspiring them to sing their best. With the right approach, you can reignite their passion, focus their energy, and help them return to their best performance. Here are some strategies to motivate and inspire your choral group after a break: 

1. Create a Warm and Welcoming Atmosphere 

The first rehearsal after a break should be a positive and encouraging experience. Greet your choir with warmth and enthusiasm, making them feel valued and appreciated for returning after the time off. Acknowledge that returning after a break can be challenging but also an opportunity to grow as a group. A welcoming atmosphere helps to ease any anxiety and makes everyone feel comfortable reconnecting with the music and their fellow singers. 

2. Revisit the Choir’s Collective Goals and Purpose 

One of the best ways to motivate the choir is by reminding them of the bigger picture. Take time to revisit the goals for the choir—whether it's preparing for an upcoming concert, mastering a particular set of pieces, or improving their vocal technique. Remind them of why they sing together: to create beautiful music, to communicate emotionally with an audience, and to build camaraderie. When choir members understand their collective purpose, they are more likely to reinvest in the work and give their best effort. 

For some choirs, and for many songs, it might help to take the time to present the history, meaning, and purpose behind each piece of music. This would help establish an intellectual and emotional connection to the music, especially if you tie it back to the overall theme of the up-coming concert.

For example, you could discuss how the pieces reflect different emotions and the way that those emotions are expressed musically. What key or mode did the composer / arranger use? What time signature and tempo was used? Did the arranger do something different from the original to add a bit of his or her own character? Are there any special meaning to the lyrics?

You could also reveal the story or circumstance surrounding the origin of the piece. Was it a result of a personal triumph or tragedy in the composer’s life? Was it the result of a national conflict or natural disaster in which the composer was involved?

Lastly, you could discuss how the piece is intended to affect the audience. How is it supposed to make them feel, or think, or act?

3. Set Clear, Achievable Short-Term Goals After a break, it’s important to avoid overwhelming the choir with too much at once. Start with manageable, short-term goals that will allow everyone to ease back into rehearsals. These could include working on a specific vocal technique, tackling a challenging section of a song, or refining dynamics. Small wins build confidence and motivation. As the choir achieves these smaller goals, they will feel a sense of accomplishment, which drives them to continue improving. 

If possible, include the students in the choice of music and other things pertaining to the spring concert or any other upcoming performance. This could include a number of things, such as: 

• Suggestions for music itself. There are a number of ways to do this.
  The first would involve offering a selection of music from the group’s existing library. Often, this would make up the majority of, if not the whole of, the next concert. These would be pieces that probably hadn’t been played for several years, unless, of course, there is a favorite among the singers and audience alike that could be sung with no objections.
  
  After those available pieces are chosen, suggestions for new pieces could be taken. They might be made from a list that the director has made up, which would reflect his or her understanding of the degree of complexity of the music and how well that difficulty level matches the ability of the choral group.
  
  Members of the chorus could also make suggestions “out of the blue” of pop tunes, new or old, that they like. That would involve a little more work on the part of the conductor, but it would be worth it if the chorus could achieve a goal that they created.

 Salt Cellar Creations can do a custom arrangement for you for far less than a commissioned piece would cost. Contact Us for details. 

• Location for a concert. That would mean extra work, but it might be possible for leaders in the ensemble to do some of that legwork.
• Who might be featured for a solo or small group performance within a concert piece

 The director would, of course, lay out some ground rules, such as: 

• Members should take the process seriously. There are always at least a couple of clowns in any music ensemble, but offering suggestions for the next concert is not a good place to clown around. Remind the members that unless they take the process seriously, as mature people would, the director will be forced to treat them as children and tell then everything they need to do.
• Encourage “out-of-the-box” suggestions, but remind them that the idea must be thought out, at least the more important parts. There would need to be basic answers for each of the journalist’s six questions – Who?, What?, Where?, When?, How?, and Why? For example, if a member suggests a concert on the roof of the building, don’t dismiss the idea out of hand. Ask whoever made the suggestion the six questions. If that person can’t answer them right away, give a deadline within which they would need to be answered.
• Respect the suggestions of others. Here’s a good time to practice the Golden Rule. And besides, the suggestion that someone ridicules today may be the one that he or she must participate in later.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement to Celebrate Progress The picture above illustrates the two main ways that people can be motivated. The illustration is very simplified, but you can see both ways presented there. The stick represents threats of punishment or other harm. This, of course is rarely recommended for any situation, and never for a music ensemble.

The carrot represents constructive methods, positive reinforcement being among the best of them. 

During the first few rehearsals back, it’s crucial to recognize and celebrate progress, no matter how small. Provide positive feedback on individual and group achievements—whether it's a section nailing a particularly tricky harmony or a soloist overcoming nerves. Publicly acknowledge the choir’s growth and effort. Positive reinforcement can have a powerful impact on morale and encourages singers to keep working hard. When choir members feel appreciated for their contributions, they are more likely to stay motivated and focused. 

Sometimes choral group members don’t always recognize the things they’ve done right, or better, especially after having been on a break. You could compare their achievements, large or small, to other choirs in general, saying something like, “Many other choirs wouldn’t have done that correctly so soon after a break”. 

While bribery is not a favorable way to motivate people, students in particular, rewarding positive behavior can be beneficial to the improvement of any musical ensemble. A “Musician of the Week” (or more, if the group is large) might be a good way to motivate musicians. To promote teamwork, a better idea might be a “Section of the Week”. 

5. Start with Fun and Engaging Warm-Ups 

Warm-ups can be a fun and effective way to get the choir back into singing shape after a break. Start with enjoyable, light-hearted exercises that not only help them warm up physically but also loosen up mentally. Use engaging vocal exercises that focus on breath control, range, and tone, but make them interactive and enjoyable. Adding some playful or unconventional warm-ups, such as singing in funny accents or playing vocal games, can help ease tension and remind the choir that rehearsals are also a time for enjoyment. The more fun and engaging you make the warm-up, the more excited the singers will be to dive into the rehearsal ahead. 

There should be number of etudes for choral groups available. If you can’t find what you need or want one written for your particular ensemble, again, Contact Us. We’ll be glad to put one or more together for you. 

6. Inject Enthusiasm and Energy into Your Leadership 

As the conductor, your energy and enthusiasm are infectious. If you return to the podium with excitement and passion, the choir is more likely to mirror that energy. Convey your excitement about the music and the progress the choir has made. Show them that you are invested in their growth and in the emotional journey of the pieces you are preparing. The more energy and passion you put into the rehearsal, the more likely the choir will be to follow suit. A conductor who is visibly excited about the music helps to inspire the singers to put in the same level of effort. 

While establishing a “connection” between you and your ensemble, you need to remember that there is a fine line between being the professional conductor that you need to be and the fun, friendly, sometimes goofy person that would more easily create that connection. The singers need to know and adhere to the practice of creating a pleasant atmosphere in which to sing while being serious about the music that they are making.

7. Reinforce Teamwork and Camaraderie 

A choir is a team, and fostering a sense of unity is key to motivation. After a break, choir members may feel disconnected from one another, so it’s important to rebuild that sense of community. Encourage group singing and emphasize the importance of listening to and supporting each other. You could even do activities that promote team-building—such as breaking into small vocal groups to work on different parts or engaging in fun choir bonding moments. When singers feel like they are part of a supportive, unified group, they are more likely to work together and push themselves to perform their best. 

Another way to reinforce the concept that every part is important, and as a continuation of the warm-ups, have just certain parts play a portion of the first piece that you will be rehearsing. The basses and sopranos could sing their parts together. Having the two basic parts, foundation and melody, being heard together would, most likely, create a sufficient sense of the music. Then, add everyone else and compare the sparseness of the first group to the full rich sound of the whole ensemble. 

8. Reconnect with the Emotional Power of the Music 

Sometimes, after a break, the choir may need to rediscover the emotional power behind the music. Instead of diving straight into technical rehearsals, take a moment to discuss the emotional messages of the pieces you're working on. Talk about the themes, stories, and emotions that the music conveys. Ask the choir to reflect on how they want to communicate those emotions to the audience. When singers are emotionally connected to the music, they sing with more passion, energy, and purpose. This emotional connection can be a powerful motivator, especially after time away from rehearsals. 

Additionally, varying your approach to rehearsals can spark creativity and excitement. Change the pacing, add new dynamics, or experiment with different interpretations of the piece. Show your ensemble that there is always room to grow and explore, even in familiar music.

9. Vary the Routine to Keep Things Fresh 

A predictable rehearsal routine can lead to boredom or disengagement. After a break, change things up to keep rehearsals exciting and stimulating. You might explore new rehearsal techniques, such as focusing on different sections of the choir at different times, or experimenting with dynamic shifts or tempo changes. You could even introduce new repertoire to challenge the choir and keep them on their toes. Varying the routine and offering new challenges helps keep the rehearsals fresh and engaging, which can reignite the choir's enthusiasm. 

If the program for the next concert has been settled on, sing just a little of each piece, perhaps choosing the easiest parts of each to establish a sense of accomplishment for each. The singers will more likely find them more appealing than tackling the whole piece, tough parts and all, at the beginning. The more difficult parts could then be assigned as homework that each musician could work on independently. 

Procedure in a group setting, and even more so in a classroom, is important. If everyone knows what to expect and what is expected of them, things move much smoother. Things that might need to be addressed could be: 

• How long should it take for the singers to be in place?
• Who is responsible for keeping and keeping track of the music?
• When does the ensemble need to give undivided attention to the conductor – when he or she takes a position behind the podium, or when some other signal is given for attention?
• Do musicians need permission to use the restroom?

 10. Emphasize the Impact of Their Performance 

Finally, remind your choir of the impact their performance can have on the audience. Music has the power to move people, tell stories, and convey emotions that words alone cannot express. Encourage your singers to think about the joy, inspiration, or solace they can provide to their listeners through their voices. Knowing that their performance will touch others can be a powerful motivator for choir members to give their best effort. When singers realize the importance of their work and its potential to affect the audience, they are more likely to approach their rehearsals and performances with renewed dedication and passion. 

It might help to play a recording of a choir who has done a piece well, to give them a target to which they can aspire. If there are two distinct interpretations available to hear, it might be interesting to hear how the different groups delivered the same music. If appropriate, the choir could then help the conductor decide which variation they preferred. 

In conclusion, getting a choral group motivated and inspired after a break requires a combination of positive reinforcement, clear goals, and emotional connection to the music. By creating a welcoming atmosphere, setting achievable goals, and injecting enthusiasm into your leadership, you will help your choir rediscover their passion and commitment. Fostering a sense of camaraderie, reconnecting with the emotional power of the music, and varying the routine will ensure that your singers return to their best performance. With your guidance and energy, the choir will be ready to sing their heart out and reach new heights after the break. 

Salt Cellar Creations understands the beauty and power that a Choral Ensemble can convey and the challenge that choral directors face in choosing the best music for their ensemble. SCC has a growing library of original works and arrangements to help meet the needs of choral teachers and directors. Find out more about what Salt Cellar Creations has to offer for Choral Ensemble HERE. Explore the available music HERE. 

SCC can also compose an original piece for you or do a custom arrangement for you to allow you to showcase your group. There are two ways that this can be done; one is much more affordable than the other. CONTACT US for more information. And SCC is always looking for ideas of pieces to arrange or suggestions for original pieces. 

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