As leaders leading a singing Ministry, we all need to learn the Tips and Tricks on how to direct the choir.We asked the well-known choir director and arranger for you: How does one become a choir director, and how do you learn to conduct a choir?
I researched Online and this is the response of an interview with Carsten Gerlitz
Carsten Gerlitz is one of Germany’s best-known arrangers, composers, and choir directors. In 1985 he founded probably Germany’s oldest pop choir, The Happy Disharmonists, for which he received the Berlin Bonzo Culture Prize. Today he coaches choirs and choir directors alike in workshops, and as an author, he also gives tips on how to learn to conduct a choir.
How Does One Become A Choir Director?
Learning to direct a choir is “learning by doing,” says Carsten Gerlitz. He says: “I founded my Disharmonists right after I graduated.
So I just did it: leading choir rehearsals and also arranging. It wasn’t until a year later that I learned it ‘properly’ at university during my music studies.”
You can see how he directs his choir on the Greenland music YouTube channel, which also has many videos like this one with his choir, The Happy Disharmonists.
He sits at the piano in the following video:
But how does one become a choir director? Accompanying, voice training, arranging, and conducting – you don’t learn all that just like that.
A basic good musical education and, of course, a feeling for the music is required.
Like Carsten Gerlitz, you have the opportunity to be trained as a choir director at the university as part of your music studies.
Choir conducting is an integral part of music studies, also for church or school musicians. Singing and music theory are just as much on the timetable as choir accompaniment or conducting.
But even if you don’t want to study, you have the opportunity to get further training, for example, if you lead a choir voluntarily. Choir associations and churches offer further training courses.
How Do You Learn To Direct A Choir?
You don’t want to start studying music or further training right away? Then Carsten Gerlitz has a few other practical tips and tricks for you on how to lead a choir.
Expand Your Method Case
Warming up is the be-all and end-all for a good choir. As a choir director, you should always have a few suitable warm-up exercises ready.
We asked Carsten Gerlitz about the absolute must-have warm-up exercise. His answer: ” The flapper’s lip. ” On YouTube, you can listen to Michael Jackson doing this exercise for over 15 minutes. Very funny! The flutter-lip hum is the perfect warm-up.”
That brings the flapper’s lip
Fluttering makes it easier to control breathing or spot breathing problems.
You can practice singing in very high or low registers with the flutter without overexerting the muscles or vocal cords.
The flutter lip relaxes and makes singing easier and freer.
This is how the flutter tip works
Fluttering your lips sounds like a snorting horse or moped. If you do it right, you’ll feel your lips vibrate. First, hold the noise, then add a tone.
Vary higher and lower tones and keep them even. How does that work? Stay loose and relax the mouth region. Breathe in and let your shoulders hang loosely. Wetting your lips can also help.
Warm up like Michael Jackson
Would you also like to listen to Michael Jackson doing voice training? Very fascinating:
By the way, fluttering is not the only warm-up exercise. In the book Popchor by Carsten Gerlitz, you will find many more practical tips and tricks for warming up.
And you will also find what you are looking for in our choir singing category.
Observe And Learn To Direct A Choir
In addition to a suitcase of methods and techniques such as the flutter lip, the will to constantly develop is also crucial for prospective and experienced choir directors.
This succeeds above all through observation, says Carsten Gerlitz:
“It is certainly helpful to observe as many other choir directors as possible at work. This always reflects one’s work and own didactic methods and ideas.
Every colleague has something to remember. That’s how your very own vendor’s tray of test tools grows.”
If you can’t wait to expand your method case, you can also watch the North Rhine-Westphalia Choir Association video series on voice training. Here are a few tips on how to breathe properly:
By the way: In our choir category: voice training & intonation, you will also find a selection of helpful guides with valuable tips for choir directors.
There you will also find special books with pedagogically well-thought-out exercises for children’s choirs.
Find The Groove
The method isn’t everything when directing a choir: “Fun! That’s the most important thing!” says Carsten Gerlitz.
“Fun in musical creation, the group leader, the groove and the dynamics that such a group sparks. I’ve always wanted it to sound good and be fun for the people listening to us.”
And when the conductor and the choir enjoy what they are doing, the sparks fly over the audience, as the choir of the Cusanus Gymnasium under the direction of Michael Forg impressively proves.
They staged the song Happy Ending by Mika very nicely, which you can also find as sheet music in the Mika-Life In Cartoon Motion issue :
Let Yourself Be Coached
Musical ability and didactic knowledge are only a small part of what a choir director has to bring with him or learn. The challenges are diverse:
“As a choirmaster, you should bring a lot of empathy. Is the rehearsal exciting? Is there a dead point? Are the singers overwhelmed, tired, having fun, or bored?
How can I find images that explain my ideas and sound concepts well? Which exercises can I quickly develop for a difficult area?
Then there are the group dynamics and the discipline. Does everyone always come? And also on time?
Is it possible to have enough concentration while having fun at the rehearsal? Who has which personal construction sites to work on at the moment?
And, of course, all the planning and ideas for new programs and projects. It is helpful to keep questioning yourself and to reflect on your work and the rehearsals.”
Especially as a beginner, you should not tackle all construction sites simultaneously.
Reflect on your work and then pick specific areas to work on. It is also always helpful to ask someone for constructive feedback.
This way, you know what you can still work on, and you might get a few practical tips that can be implemented immediately.
Final Thoughts
I think i have done justice in letting you the trick and methods in cordination a choir.All these are written from over 15 years experience as a Music Director and a Church Organist.Directing a Choir requires leading by example too and commitment to God as the leader.