Being a team player- Whether you are a soprano, alto or mezzo, as a member of a group it is your job to be a team player. This means that you make an effort to know your part and sing to the best of your abilities. Coming to class or rehearsal prepared is key because you are an important component of the overall effect. The best groups are the ones who sound like one voice. When particular voices stand out more than others it can create an imbalanced sound.
Passion for the music- Most importantly, one must have passion for music. The overall sound of a choir can be effected when there is a lack of energy behind the piece. Passion and emotion are what bring the music to life. The choirs energy is contagious so it is important to make sure that it is positive. As oversaid as this many be—when the performers have fun, the audience has fun as well. An audience can tell when a choir is not enjoying a piece. Having energy is what makes the piece energetic.
I totally understand this post and think it is very important, because sometimes, people mistake singing loudly and being passionate as being the same. These are two very different things, and you can tell when there is a distinction between them.
ReplyDeleteIn choir this year, I have always wondered if you were supposed to sing loud or being quiet and try to blend in with the rest of the group. This was actually something I was thinking about constantly, mostly because there were people who did both. But what I didn't realize is that how loud you sing wasn't either or.
Everyone has a different voice and is able to let out a different amount of sound, and people sing how loud as they are comfortable with. The energy behind their voices is passion, for music and for the song they are singing.
So is this passion good or bad? And what about being a team player? I wondered this too for a while, before coming to a conclusion:
There is a difference between being passionate and wanting to stand out.
In choir, I'm sure every singer feels some passion for music, singing, and the song they are working on. However, you also have to remember that working together and having a blended sound is much better than standing out.
Unfortunately, in my experience, the ideals expressed in this post are very often overlooked in high school choirs. It is not at all uncommon to have several choir members who sing every piece as they would a solo and in contrast, several, often younger members who barely sing at all. Many people are unaware that being in a choir means not only working together as a group, listening to others, and focusing on achieving a seamless blend but also, working as hard as you possibly can, making sure you are singing out confidently and being an active participant in the choir. Many people like singing in a choir setting because they feel they are then able to rely on their section and choir mates to help them. And while you should definitely be able to rely on your choir members for emotional support and encouragement, it is a mistake to rely on your choir members to learn their music and sing out so that you don't have to. I think it would be so beneficial for everyone to internalize what makes a choir member great because these things can really transform a good choir into a great one. (Along with being respectful to the rest of the choir, the director, and the audience)
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