ABSTRACT
This chapter is based on a series of interviews exploring confidence levels amongst singers in adult amateur choirs. Interviewees reported that their confidence was enhanced by conductors who use effective teaching skills as well as their musical expertise to facilitate a positive learning experience for the singers. One of the key components of effective teaching is providing constructive feedback, which contains specific information about achievements and areas requiring improvement, and which suggests ways of making progress. The research data indicate that, by using this core teaching skill effectively, conductors can make a significant contribution to confidence building in adult amateur choirs.
