I’ve been experimenting with a new strategy in my after school rehearsals: starting optional vocal warmups before the rehearsal starts.
At 2:45, we start a one-hour rehearsal. At 2:35, I start doing some basic vocal warmups.
It’s optional to attend – they have all already sung today, and their voices should be pretty well ready to go. But if they want a little extra stretching before we dive into singing, I’m there to provide it.
Consider: orchestras and bands are routinely in their seats, warming up, well before rehearsal starts. This is a model we can adopt, at least in certain situations.
For my evening rehearsals, I do add warmups into my rehearsal plan. It’s been hours since school ended, they’ve had dinner, and I want to take time to make sure we’re locked in as an ensemble as we begin rehearsal. But for the shorter afternoon rehearsals, I think it’s worthwhile to give them a few more minutes of rehearsal by starting warmups early.