Making Choral Rehearsing Seductive: Implications for Practice and Choral Education

Abstract

What makes a successful choral rehearsal and performance? What are the essential skills and characteristics of the conductor / teacher? Such intriguing questions have been the subject of a number of research studies, but few have used description of the encounter to gain insight into the area. This article outlines research into effective choral conducting by exploring aspects of the choral phenomenon. Five contrasting musical encounters, from Finland, USA and UK, between the conductor/teacher and singers are described. The conductors' strategies and rehearsal styles are analysed and some conclusions and implications are drawn in order to develop ways in which such activity might be encouraged and enhanced within schools, churches and the wider community.