Everyone remembers those school group projects that made you either pull your hair out in frustration or jump for joy because it was time to lay back and chill out. There always seemed to be one or two accomplishing most of the work while the others would contribute very little. Well, I’m here to tell you that award winning music making doesn’t work that way. In Cantala, we all need to be fantastic team players to make the music making enjoyable, rewarding and successful. Here are 7 easy ways to achieve being that fantastic team player.

•  Arrive on time to rehearsal. If you are late, wait until you have been invited to be seated otherwise it is distracting and disruptive.
• Have your choral music with you. You don't rehearse well when you are sharing your music with a neighbour and you will miss making important music markings on your score.
•  Be open to singing different choral parts. Try not to not have your heart stuck on what you have always sung (ie. Soprano 1), or if the conductor feels your voice would suit another part better OR if the choir needs you to sing a different part to balance out the group. Sometimes it is suggested that you should sing a different part to gain experience singing harmony (again, the example of singing soprano 1 for your entire choral singing career).
•   Be musically prepared. Practise at home in between rehearsals so you know your part well. It doesn’t have to be memorised, but anyone that is buried in their score isn’t able to listen to other parts well enough do to an awesome job. By the second or third rehearsal on a piece you need to be able to look up at the conductor and start to take in the whole piece rather than just your part. By achieving this, you will be able to sing in mixed formation and at the same time be confident with your part.
•   Don’t talk to your singing neighbour during rehearsals unless it is obvious we are taking a break.
•  Absenteeism requires you to do extra musical study. Please be courteous and study the music/work you have missed. The choir can’t afford to go over your part because you have missed rehearsal time. It is expected that you will come prepared with the help of the conductor’s notes that are posted online weekly through email.
• Private tutoring available. Contact Nancy for details at info@cantalawomenschoir.com. She loves working on choral music outside of rehearsal time and is deeply committed to making your time singing in Cantala enjoyable, rewarding and successful (extra cost applies).