HINTS FOR CHORUS SINGERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 922, 31 March 1879, Page 2

HINTS FOR CHORUS SINGERS.

[by vol'tee soo'bito.] Singers must have plenty of space allowed them, so that they may not be crowded up together. If the light can be arranged to fall on the music from above or from behind so much the better : this will prevent the singers from turning from the conductor in order to catch the light from either side. The posture of the singers should be,head erect,shoulders square but not too still. When about to commence singing, members of the I chorus should brace themselves up fur

the task. Great cave must bo taken not to hold the music so as to impede the voice, or, 011 the other hand, to bend the head and sing straight into the music ; the latter habit is productive of much of the had tone which we so often hear in choruses. The eye must be iixed upon the conductor, so as to be able to obey promptly all his directions ; indeed, his every gesture should be quickly read and obeyed. Should the singers be slovenly 01* slouching in their postures, they will in all probability sing in a slovenly manner, and as a result they will sing out of tune or drag the time, or perhaps both—two things absolutely _fatal to good singing. Before singing any new piece of music, each singer should mako themsel\ cs thoroughly acquainted with the music, if possible ; but, at all events, every one must tie thoroughly conversant with the words of the piece. Some chorus singers think the words of little importance, or only a secondary consideration. This is a I'riind, and, in many cases, a fatal mislake, for 110 proper expression can be u-iven to the music where no attention is paid to the wards. The words ought to be heard by an audience from a chorus as distinctly as those_ of a preacher by his congregation, and in order to ehect this they must be perfectly familiar to each singer, and given out with the greatest care and attention. Those who are not good musicians may not be able to learn the music quickly, but the least accomplished can learn the words and understand their meaning and connection ; and, if each does so, and gives them full expression, sifter the music has been thoroughly mastered, they be far more efficient members of the chorus than the most accomplished sight singers who neglect the words. Before any public performance be given, the music as well as the words should be quite familiar to every member. Each one must be able to sing their part, not only independently of their neighbours in the same part, but also independently of the other parts. Fill! attention can then bo given to the conductor, whoso province it is to play upoi: :he '_ci"aniio vocal machine before him. and to\'ivo tiie proper expression to tin music in hand. His will must rule tin chorus absolutely ; the closest attentioi must be given to his every gesture, am every eye must be upon him. A men glance at the music now and then shotih 0« sullicient to refresh the memory as ti both notes and words. Take a full breatl so as to be able to attack the first noti with decision and iirumess, and give tin note out with boldness, anu all together.