Sophia Anzalone

MUED 376
Dr. V
2 December 2019
Warmups Summary

A proper choral warmup consists of three separate warmups: physical, breathing, and

vocal. The foundation of a good warmup begins with proper body alignment. A director may

begin this by leading the choir through a series of stretches, followed by a guided explanation of

proper alignment. Singers should lengthen their spine, tuck their tailbone in slightly, and make

sure their shoulders are relaxed and back. They should also ensure that their knees are not locked

and their feet are a shoulder-width apart, creating a wide, confident stance. This proper

alignment will pave the way for effective breathing, which in turn will develop better tone

amongst the choir. Following a physical warmup comes a breathing warmup, in which the

breathing system is awakened. Exercises for this can include inhaling for x amount of counts and

exhaling for x amount on a “hssss” sound, mimicking a tire releasing air or a hot air balloon

deflating. These exercises should set the ensemble up for success, making a transfer in the

rehearsal as they sing their pieces. The director can also explain to the ensemble where they

should physically be feeling the breath (lower, without shoulders rising). Once the choir has a

good understanding of effective breathing, they may move on to the bulk of the overall warmup,

the vocal warmup. To awaken the phonation from the mid-range, the director should lead the

choir in a descending pattern warmup, specifically in D or Eb Major. To incorporate kinesthetic

movement into the vocal warmup, the director may ask the ensemble to use solfege hand signs.

Following a descending pattern, a range warmup should be enacted. An example of this could be

an arpeggio warmup, moving upwards. A harmonic warmup is the last of the vocal warmups,
developing simple and complex audiation. This could simply refer to performing a canonic-style

warmup and having each voice part end on a different solfege syllable to create a triad of some

sort. Lastly, throughout the entire warmup process, little piano should be used so as to improve

audiation.