Dr. Bertalot's talk consisted of D0s and DONTs:

DOs:

• Always start and finish rehearsal on time
• Make your choir feel important and have self esteem
• Provide an atmosphere of discipline
• Begin by getting choir quiet by, for example, starting with a prayer and/or reading. This needs practising!
• Make sure the choir realises the choir director is in charge
• Only give announcements once
• Maintain communication with the choir by eye as well as voice contact
• Always challenge choir to improve and self correct mistakes by thinking for themselves by responding to questions
• Direct choir without looking at music
• When sight singing always let choir feel for the notes themselves - this way they will learn to sight sing
• Listen to individuals' singing by moving among choir
• Choir Directors must always be prepared to learn from any source
• Insist on choir being together with breathing, notes, intonation, expression and diction
• Use clear upbeat for breath intake
• Give time for choir to focus before above actions
• Use facial expression as a means of getting response
• Insist choir members listen to each other
• Use flip chart as visual aid when using verbal instruction
• Maintain enthusiasm by arranging high profile events
• Always praise when deserved

DONTs:

• Never talk to choir if any members are talking
• Hide behind piano when rehearsing
• Teach sight singing by following piano note by note
• Slacken effort
• Frown or be stony faced
• Omit to observe all the D0s!

Dr. Bertalot provided us with five L words: LEAD, LOOK, LISTEN, LEARN, LOVE.

His talk applies to any type of choir and is excellent advice for any teaching situation in any subject. He advised those of us who are rather introverted in personality to learn how to put on an act perhaps by imitating someone else with a more charismatic style.

The meeting started promptly at 7.30 pm. and finished at 9 pm. The CSO is grateful to Jeremy Suter for organising this event.

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