How to improve the church choir?

Question

I am an amateur choir conductor in church and have no past experience in leading the choir. I have been leading the choir for 2 years, and realised that if I do not do anything to improve the choir, the choir will never grow. They have somehow become accustomed to a stagnant stage which I felt was not the right way.

1)How do I get my sopranos to sing beyond their comfortable range? They can only sing up to E note (one oct above middle C)

2) How do I get them to blend properly?

3) How do I harmonize them? Some of the singers are good, but they tend to be too loud. Is there any other way to let them know other than telling them?

4) What kind of warm-ups available for them?

5) How do I fully maximise less than 1.5 hrs to teach them a new song?

6)Where can I find nice simple christian choral scores?

7) How can I help them project their sound better?

I can't find a category to place my question. "Entertainment and music" seems too secular. I would need more of a religious point of view/advice, esp coming fm experienced choral people in church. Thanks.

Maybe I should also elaborate a little more on my choir structure.
There are 5 sopranos, 3 altos, 2 tenors and 2 bass... one of the tenor and one of the bass is always too loud. The attendence is rather irregular. I can sometimes get 2 sops, 1 alto, 1 bass and 1 alto, or 5 sops, no alto, 2 tenor and 1 bass, i guess you get the idea...

Maybe I should also elaborate a little more on my choir structure.
There are 5 sopranos, 3 altos, 2 tenors and 2 bass... one of the tenor and one of the bass is always too loud. The attendence is rather irregular. I can sometimes get 2 sops, 1 alto, 1 bass and 1 tenor, or 5 sops, no alto, 2 tenor and 1 bass, i guess you get the idea...

Answer 1

Hello Schongal.

I leaded a choir in Costa Rica for more than 10 years.

For me, the note more comfortable to work with males and females is D, instead of C. The D+ is made by D, F# and A.
To harmonized this note, the main voice of the sing could use the main tone, but the second voice could use the third one (A).

On the other hand, for the singer that sing loud, they have to know that a team job is not the same than a group job. Working in a Team is respect the whole group, nobody shouldn't to sing louder than the others, because this behavior affects all the choir.

It's necessary to make copies of the text of the songs and everyone has to have a record of the song to practice it at home, a choir is a compromise, and everyone has to work even out of meetings.

You can request for someone to record the choir as you are singing, making that, the members of the choir can listen them how the choir sounds, and they would understant so why is important to improve.

I hope this can help you.

Best regards.

God bless you.

Tony

Answer 2

There are a variety of warm ups and range building tapes out there. Talk to a school music teacher or a college vocal teacher. Take some lessons yourself and then pass on what you learn.
Blending does take practice. pull out a few people and do a demonstration by having them sing something simple and getting them to adjust their volume and tone once they can hear the difference its easier.
If you have someone that is loud you may just have to tell them, but if they are good then you could also use that and have them be the section leader.
projection is about using the diaphragm and breathing correctly. Most people don't breath correctly, or even know how to use their diaphragm for singing. The easiest way for them to find it is to have them lay on their backs put their hands on their stomach right below the ribs and sing. they should get the idea. there are also exercises to help better use it. I hope this helps. you might also challenge them to take singing lessons on thier own.

Answer 3

Sorry, i think this question may be more suitable in a different category. Just my opinion.

Not that I wouldn't want to help, just can't!


Ok, maybe I can help a little now that I think about it. Your sopranos may not be confident in hitting their high notes. It's embarrassing to crack in front of an audience.
Plus something my choir leader did was, when we were practicing, she'd hand each of us a tape/CD with our parts on it and we could practice our pitch at home, in the car or where ever.

Answer 4

if u want to make the great seeker happy, always play a new song. I have a hard time finding a church were they play different songs. I always hear the same song over and over unto God. I love praying to God in worship.

Answer 5

Barbershop quartet

Answer 6

get a prickly stick, and hit them with it, God would love that.