Reflection of Rehearsal No.

1
In my first rehearsal I believe there was a mixture of successful
sections and less successfully sections. At first I think I was just
surprised to see that I could actually ‘do it’ it some sense, that is get
up in front of the class and conduct the rehearsal.

I think the aspect which I believe held up the rehearsal was the fact
that I often took too long giving out instructions, or talking. I think the
best rehearsals consist mainly of singing or playing, not the conductor
talking. I think for my next rehearsal I would like to have very clear
instructions prepared so that I know I will be able to effectively
implement them without wasting time. This time wasting prevented
me from moving through as many steps as I had planned for. So for
next rehearsal I am going to structure it in a way that allows me to
move quickly from step to step utilising the time as effectively as
possible.

I think I would also like to be more confident in providing models of any

problematic areas for next rehearsal. I think at times my conducting
wasn’t clear enough to convey exactly what I wanted from the choir so
this is another aspect I will work on. Also the choir seemed to grasp
this piece quite easily so I think I will shorten down the number of
steps I am using and thus move through the repertoire faster.
 Choral Rehearsal No.2
Now is the Gentle Season – Thomas Morley

15 minute rehearsal

Activity Time Content

Take
n
1. Revise 3 • Revise – la = a, changes speed at bar 7
• Get altos so sing from bar 7 – 9 to check they are ready for
bars 1 minut
the rhythmic change
-15 es • Conduct in 4
• Sing through in solfa, slightly below tempo
• Fix any problems that occur

1. Bars 15 7 • Start with the bass

- 22 minut • Start with tenor, sing in solfa
• Then add in the alto.
es
• Then add in the soprano – soprano accent first note
of each bar
• Finally add in bass.
• Check dynamic/balance are correct.
• Sing through from bar 1 – 22 now in solfa, up to
speed, in 2.
• Sing through with text.
• Practise chord changes from 22 - 23

1. Start 5 • Practise connecting bar 22 – 23.

bars 23 minut • Tenor part - possibly practise slow chord changes
by;
– 30 e
– Sing di (hand sign), sing do (handsign), then di,
then re.
– then sing di, sing do, inner hear di, then sing re.
• Start with bass from bar 23 in solfa, conduct in 2 *
• Next add in the tenor
• Then add the alto
 • Then add the soprano part
• Provide models to fix any mistakes that occur
• Sing all parts together in solfa from bars 23 – 30.
*if time permits this section

Possible errors that could occur;

• Falling fourths in the soprano bars 24 and28. – fix through providing models
• Bars 22-23 the tenor singing di, do, re. – slowly sing intervals and then use
inner hearing
• Chromaticism in the alto bar 21 from s fi s fa – sing chord by chord and add in
fi between s and f