My Director Always Says

Erin Howden directs North Metro Chorus in their Swan Song performance at the 2018 Convention in St. Louis.

Of course, you’re a great chorus member: You would never chat on the risers! You keep your eyes on the director, and you listen to everything they say! But do you really understand what they mean when they repeat certain pieces of advice or direction? In case some of it’s a mystery, or you just want to know more, we’ve asked a few directors to compile a list of some common phrases and give a little explanation about what they really mean.

My director always says…Keep your eyes on me.

Why do you think that is? Are they a power freak? Don’t they know that I just got jabbed in the side with my neighbor’s elbow when she was doing the choreography? Doesn’t the director know that I need to know if I’m doing the same thing the others are? How can I do that without looking at them? How can I connect with the audience if I can’t look at them?

Focus. That’s what it’s all about. There will always be distractions but those are the many things we need to find ways to ignore, learn to live with, discuss later and try to minimize. So, when your director says to look their way, there’s a reason. It’s usually to improve the sound and help you and the chorus be the very best you can be. Trust your director to know when and if you can look away. After all, they get to hear all of you at the same time, which is a luxury that those of us on the risers don’t get. Focus and ENJOY!

My director always says...Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Why? Because the body needs water. Much more water each day than most singers give it! Singing is an active sport which intensely exercises some of the body’s smallest muscles. Because the water passes over and through these muscles, singers may think they are helping by drinking water often during rehearsals. In fact, hydration before you sing is even more important, as muscles need hydration from within to be flexible and responsive to the demands placed on them during the art of singing.

My director always says…Take a moment to check in with yourself.

What they mean by “checking in” is to consciously go through our physical posture and carriage—from feet to hips to torso to shoulders to neck to face—for awareness of where we need to relax, support and lift for the best use of our vocal instrument.

My director always says…Give me 30 seconds before you talk.

Everyone needs a moment or two to organize their thoughts before speaking, but directors especially need that moment. When we start to speak instantly, it interferes with that thought process. So let’s all learn to wait for 30 seconds to hear those director gems.

My director always says...Breathe on top of the note or breathe into the upper space.

Extreme dropped-jaw breathing with inhalation focused in a downward manner often results in an out-of-tune beginning. We all know a lifted palate is important to the best singing, so thinking the breath itself in a slightly higher, above-the-instrument inhalation enhances everything about your personal sound and therefore the unit sound.

So next time directors repeat themselves (after you’ve given them 30 seconds before speaking, of course) you’ll know what they mean. But you certainly won’t explain it to your neighbor on the risers until rehearsal is over!