Dear “Can’t Hear,”

     As with most choir questions, there are several possible answers based on why your choir members are not singing with as much volume as you would like. First, singers may not know what you want. Be sure they have a clear idea of the volume you're wanting. Second, they just may not know that their sound isn't projecting. Stress that what they hear in their heads is not what the listener hears. They will need to open their mouths to let the sound out. Third, they may not be supporting the voice well. Singing is a physical skill, and one must do the physical things that create good vocal tone: proper breathing, good singers' posture, abdominal support, relaxation of neck and shoulder muscles, proper mouth shape, energetic attitude. The fourth reason may be lack of confidence either in their own vocal tone or their mastery of the music. To create confidence in vocal tone, compliment your singers often. Give them a physical skill that always improves tone (no more than one new thing at a time), and then tell them how much better their tone was after they've used the technique. Take every opportunity to teach vocal skills to your choir members. Continue to create confidence in their progress, by reminding them how much longer they can sing a note before needing a breath, how much easier it is to sing that high -- or low -- note, etc. Confidence in their mastery of the music just comes from learning the music. A fifth possible reason for "wimpy" sound is that singers may be afraid of your reaction (or other choir members' opinions) if they make a mistake. You need to make it "safe" for them to sing out. If you have a critical attitude, it will often result in the "shy singer" syndrome. Finally, you will want to be sure that what you want is really more volume. You might actually want more intensity--which is a whole other quantity--and requires projection skills from your singers.

    Continue to try new strategies, observe your singers, listen to the sound they create with each, and adjust your rehearsal techniques according to your results. I hope you get exactly the results you want. 

I'll pray for you,

Dear “Reading Slowly,”

    There are several cyber-hymnals available on the internet where you can listen to hymns being played correctly. (See resources, The Digital Hymnal, The Cyber Hymnal)  As you listen to the hymns being played, make a point of following your music for those hymns, so that you start connecting the rhythms and tunes to the score that you’re reading.

Marie