In my experience, leading a choral group is equal parts of three things: seeing possibilities, getting excited about making them happen, and figuring out how to communicate those things. In other words:
- Vision (informed by musical skill)
- Being (appreciation and genuine affection for the music, singers, and practice)
- Rehearsal Technique (musical, and in terms of communication)
It's worth thinking specifically about, writing down, and talking through with someone the direction you want to take with the group and any changes of procedure you might initiate. Even if never articulated overtly during rehearsal, the more clarity of vision you've earned within yourself, the more confident and effective you'll be. If you embody a stong vision, that gives the singers something to resopnd to, and then you can take it from there in building your relationship.
Being
- Share your passion for both the music and for the craft of engaging musical material; take pleasure not only in the objective quality of the sound, but in the progress and discoveries made by individuals and the whole group, day to day.
- Facilitate to best effect the skills and abilities already present amongst the group, including those that are beyond your own. Don't get stuck in "teaching" mode when it's not needed.
- Give headlines of purpose/intent
- Communicate with the intention of being gotten -- really check to see if they're with you
- Be large with your gestures, voice and energy -- it's like being on stage
- Respond specifically to what you hear in the moment
Have fun!
