ABSTRACT
Good teaching is good teaching; likewise, good rehearsing is good rehearsing. Whether you work with choral or instrumental ensembles, many of the tasks, procedures, and strategies are the same. Similarities include the overall rehearsal structure, the importance of thorough score preparation for error detection, and the use of effective teaching strategies such as modeling, feedback, and delivery skills. Differences in rehearsal techniques occur because of instrumentation. Choral ensembles are built around a single instrument family—the human voice. Successful choral conductors recognize this distinction and adjust strategies to meet singers’ needs. Although general in scope, this chapter provides novice conductors with basic information needed to conduct and rehearse a choral group. For those interested in more detailed information, a list of resources is provided in “Selected References”.
