Want to improve your choral skills and contribute more fully to your chorus?

This comprehensive guide offers practical instruction and tips to hone your skills and improve your vocal musicianship. Whether you are an experienced choral singer or looking to become involved in a choral organization for the first time, this is the book for you!
     

The Choral Singer's Survival Guide will show you:

  • How to find choral groups in your area
  • How to prepare for and perform an amazing audition
  • Vocal and sight-reading tips that will make them remember you
  • Everything you ever wanted to know about rehearsals
  • Score marking for singers--a system that really works!
  • How to practice to maximize results
  • Diction guides to the five major sung languages
  • How to truly shine in performance
  • Why parents should involve their children in music at an early age
  • The role of the professional choral singer

In addition, the companion CD contains

  • Instructions on proper body alignment for singing
  • Proper breathing techniques
  • Vocal exercises to ensure progress in your regular practice sessions
  • Vocal musicianship exercises to take you to the next level musically

There are nearly 30 million choral singers in the United States alone. Let The Choral Singer's Survival Guide focus and enhance your choral experience.
     

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. THE CHORAL ARTIST: Why We Sing - "But I'm Tone Deaf . . ." - The Benefits of Singing - How to Use This Book - Types of Ensembles - Finding the Right Choral Group for You - Gathering Audition Information and Requirements

2. PREPARING FOR A CHORAL AUDITION: Planning for the Audition - "Getting to Know You" - Preparation - Choosing a Solo Piece - Learning the Song

3. VOCAL TECHNIQUE: About the Voice - Sound Production - The Importance of Practice - Body Alignment- Breath - Using the Companion CD - Breathing Exercises - The Vocal Sound - The Vocal Cords - Vibrato - The Recipe for Beautiful Singing - Vocal Technique Exercises - Vocal Musicianship Exercises

4. THE AUDITION: BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER: About Audition Anxiety - Getting Ready - Before The Audition - In the Audition Room - Performance Suggestions - Completing the Audition - The Waiting Game - The Audition Results - "Sorry, Better Luck Next Time" - " Congratulations! You're in the Chorus"

5. THE REHEARSAL: The First Rehearsal of the Season - Materials to Bring to Every Rehearsal - The Rehearsal Structure - Responsibilities of the Conductor - Responsibilities of the Singer - The Professional Singer - Rehearsal Tips - Additional Group Rehearsal Time - The Private Rehearsal: Maximizing Your Efforts - Rehearsal Socials - The Dress Rehearsal

6. SCORE MARKING FOR SINGERS: General Markings - Tone and Text Markings - Intonation Markings - Tempo and Rhythm Markings - Phrase Markings

7. THE CHORAL PERFORMANCE: Become an Ambassador for Your Chorus - The Care and Preservation of the Voice - Concert Etiquette - Concert Preparation - "And the Crowd Goes Wild" - Afterglow

RESOURCES: Resource A: A Crash Course in Singers' Diction - Resource B: Musical Terms - Resource C: Key Signatures - Resource D: Vocal Ranges and Classifications - Resource E: Sight-Reading Tips and Suggestions - Resource F: Online Choral Music Resources - Resource G: Tips for a Successful Recording Session - Resource H: Travel Tips for Singers - Resource I: Summer Choral Festivals - Resource J: Professional Singing Opportunities - Resource K: From Singer to Conductor - Resource L: A Brief Overview of Choral Music History and Style - Glossary

COMPANION CD: Alignment - Breathing Exercises - Vocal Exercises - Vocal Musicianship Exercises

$24.95 US, plus shipping/handling and applicable sales taxes