As many choruses resume rehearsals following a summer hiatus, there are often singers who feel their voices have lost some “conditioning” during the break. It’s normal to feel this way, for singers are like athletes – we need to keep our voices (and bodies) in good singing shape. As the new performance season begins, there are several things we can do to get our voices back where they were at the conclusion of the previous season, or possibly, in even better condition!

Hydration and Exercise. Singing is a physical activity and to perform our best we need to take care of our bodies. It is important to drink lots of water (experts usually recommend eight glasses a day) and to engage in moderate physical exercise (walking, or any sort of aerobic activity that elevates the heart rate).

Daily Vocal Warm-Ups. Most choral directors include time for a vocal warm-up at the beginning of a rehearsal, but it should really be the responsibility of the singers themselves to get their voices ready to rehearse. Even something as simple as humming an ascending/descending three-note diatonic pattern is helpful. The warm-up should start in the middle of the vocal range and gradually move outward (up and down). We should also be doing our vocal warm-ups every day, and not just when we have a rehearsal. Following a short warm up period (10 minutes) it can be useful to sing a simple song (folk song or hymn) without accompaniment. The formation of words in the song activates the lips and tongue and helps prepare the singer for the more strenuous vocal activity of a rehearsal.

Patience. Try to remember that achieving anything of real value usually requires dedication and hard work, and that is certainly true with singing. But as most choral musicians know, the result is worth the effort. Keep in mind that rehearsals and performances will always be more rewarding if we’re in good vocal shape!