Habit #3 Look verb and noun

1. Look (verb) at the director.

It is virtually impossible for a choral group to sing well unless every singer is watching
the director. Unless the music is memorized, you will obviously need to refer to it while
singing, but using peripheral vision you can look at your music and the director. There
are critical times when you must focus on the director.
1. Entrances every time your voice part has an entrance.
2. Cut-offs every time your voice part terminates a phrase.
3. Introductions and interludes there is no need to look at your music during an
instrumental introduction or interludes. Memorize your first (or next) entrance
(pitch, syllable, dynamic level, etc.) and then watch the director for your entrance.
4. Changes in the music watch the director for tempo changes (abrupt changes,
ritard, accelerando), changes in dynamics (crescendo, decrescendo, etc.),
phrasing, and other important cues.
Learn to interpret conducting gestures (which may differ with each director).
2. Be attentive to how you look (noun).
Assume the singers posture There is a difference between how you should look
while singing and times when you may assume a more passive posture. When the
director calls you to attention, there should be a noticeable adjustment in your posture.
The singers stance enhances proper breath support and is more visually appealing for
the audience. Good posture for singing includes:
When standing:
a. Plant your feet firmly on the ground about shoulders width apart, one foot
slightly in front of the other, to give you a sense of foundation. Relax your
knees and keep them unlocked. Your body should feel fluid. Align the body by
lengthening the spine.
b. Keep the chest high but relaxed, sternum lifted. Roll your shoulders upward,
then backward and then drop them down as if they're falling gently into
sockets.
c. Your chin should be level to the floor. The director should see your face, not
the top of your head.
d. Maintain the singers stance throughout the entire song. Dont break posture
during the introduction, instrumental interludes, or when your part is tacit.
e. Hold your music up and away from your body and almost parallel to the floor.
Use your peripheral vision to see both the music and the director. Use one
hand to support the music folder and the other to turn pages.

When sitting:
Try to simulate the proper standing posture: keep the back straight, sit tall and
forward, and hold your music up.
Facial expression Your face should communicate that you are engaged in something
significant. A smile is not always the appropriate look, although it is a good default
setting.
a. Often, raising the eyebrows will help.
b. Your face should look pleasant and engaged.