So Awkward! What the dog whisperer taught me about starting every concert, with Ryan Guth (1 of 4)
Choir Ninja, with Ryan Guth
English - April 04, 2017 07:30 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB - ★★★★★ - 116 ratingsMusic Interviews Music Arts Performing Arts choir choirdirector choral conduct conducting conductor director doctorate entrepreneur find Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Previous Episode: A crash course in classifying high school voices, with Ryan Guth
Next Episode: Uke, I Am Your Father, with Christopher Kurt
The first installment of a fun four-part episode series for any choral director, So Awkward addresses all the ways we can prevent awkward concerts for us, for our choirs, and most importantly for our audiences. In this installment I talk about some little ways to start each concert off so that you are the epitome of awesome and achieve the “Wow” factor before your choir even sings a note. Many of these lesson I learned from watching The Dog Whisperer on Animal Planet. Listen:
Show Notes:
Diagram your entire flow for the evening Who does what? Who goes where, and when? Duty assignments Focus on presence Cell phones in a locked room Call time for your choir Have your choir come earlier than you think “You do what I say. No questions asked.” Give a focused pep talk Hard: Your parents will love you even if you suck Soft: Vulnerability “Calm and Assertive” like Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer Choir member duties Greeters Programs Ushers Floaters What to do when the audience arrives Everyone gets eye contact with at least two people involved in the concert Make sure there are signs pointing them in the right direction Seating Ushers guide everyone to their seats. Front and center fills up first Block off the “off-limits” areas in your venue Suggested seating for “restless” babies Projections Cell phone policy Announcements/upcoming concerts Link to e-program FAQ’s for parents if you’re in a school situation. When’s the final exam? When’s the deposit due for next year’s trip? ALWAYS start with singing! Don’t say a word, unless it’s “Please rise for the singing of the National Anthem.” Be sure to plant clappers in the audience ;)3 Key Takeaways:
The performance starts the moment anyone (choir members included) walks into the venue. If you don’t direct the audience, they’ll direct themselves. Always start with singing!Resources/links Mentioned:
The Wow Factor: How to Create It, Inspire It & Achieve It: A Comprehensive Guide for Performers Blog post: 10 Life Lessons From the Dog WhispererSponsored by: Sight Reading Factory (Use promo code “NINJA” at checkout for 10 free student accounts!)