Are your students keyed into their own aural awareness?
In other words: are they keeping their ears open? In music, nothing would seem more natural, but in fact, lack of aural awareness is a consistent challenge – for young musicians, certainly, but even for many adults. Without open ears, we can’t really address any of the finer points of balance, blend, or intonation, so it’s vital that we remind students to be intentional about their aural awareness.
One point: aural awareness seems to arrive in stages, not all at once. I’ve heard many choirs where the members seem to maintain aural awareness only for rhythm. They can lock in, rhythmically, without connecting at a pitch level.
Aural awareness requires presence, it requires intellect, and it requires understanding its value. It’s when conductors prioritize it and educate students about it that it grows.