[musictlk] Choir-directing

[Marion & Martin]

Jessie,
    I am the Music Director of a relatively small (7 members) contemporary 
music team at a church in Tampa, Florida. Since I play guitar with the 
group, I am not conducting, per se. Everyone knows their parts from 
rehearsal, so my primary role is to teach the parts during rehearsal, set 
the tempo, and cue in the group. Because I cannot use my hands, as they are 
busy playing, I use head and facial cues with the group. This seems to work 
out well.
    While I was teaching music, I directed a medium sized show choir of 
about 40 students. Since they were kids and we used instrument tracks for 
the most part, it would not have been appropriate for me to sing along, so 
all I did was conducting and lip sync. If you need some help on conducting 
motions, feel free to write to me off-list at

SwampFox1833 at Verizon.net

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jessie Kirchner" <jckirch at umich.edu>
To: <musictlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 8:07 AM
Subject: [musictlk] Choir-directing


> Hi list,
>
> Has anyone ever led a small choir before?  I've been asked to direct my 
> church choir this weekend while the director is away.  We usually range 
> from five to ten members.  I did lead once before, but it consisted only 
> in giving pitches, designating the correct musical settings for the day, 
> and singing loudly enough to keep the tempo.  I'm totally blind and 
> haven't studied conducting motions in any great depth yet.  It didn't seem 
> to be a problem last time but i'm wondering if any of you have found them 
> important.  If I'm not conducting, should I still stand facing everyone in 
> case my pitching carries better?  There are a couple times when the 
> director points out someone to chant alone, but I figured I could assign 
> those ahead of time or have the assistant director point at people during 
> the service.  I was also thinking of emailing the choir this week to see 
> if they have any suggestions about what they'd like me to do, but since 
> this is pretty new to them, they probably won't be much
> help.
> The director has no qualms whatsoever about my leading, which is very 
> refreshing, but I'm a little nervous myself.  Any tips or reassurances 
> would be greatly appreciated.  I do know a very talented blind choir 
> director who hasn't needed to conduct much, but I think it's always good 
> to learn from as many people in this situation as I can.
>
> Thanks,
> Jessie
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