Hello Listers,

Here is the very short compilation of creative warm ups. Thanks to those
who responded. I did go purchase the Choral Warmup book (from Musical
Resources in Toledo). I know there are more creative warm ups, especially
physical ones out there, but perhaps they're proprietary secrets! Thanks
for the help!

Brian Clissold, Music Director
Battle Creek Girls' Chorus
Battle Creek Community Chorus
www.musiccenterscmi.com
brian.clissold(a)gmail.com

You might already be aware of it, but there is a book called "Teaching
Kids To Sing" by Ken Phillips that has many warm ups for singers.
I also particularly like a book of tongue twisters called "Singing Tongue
Twisters A-Z "

For girls to rid the "hootiness" in the high register,
have them sing like the "Chipmunks." Helps open
palate and bring into the mask.

1 121 12321 1234321 123454321 12345654321 1234567654321 123456787654321
88 878 87678 8765678 876545678 876543456768 8765432345678 876543212345678
111

You work up to speed on this and eventually do it in a round, the more
parts the better. You can also use solfege with hand signs, for a
further challenge.


I just ordered and received James Jordan's book, Evoking Sound THE
CHORAL WARM-UP - Method, Procedures, Planning, and Core Vocal
Exercises. The kinesthetic approach is very important in his
teaching -- I see a lot of exercises that I want to use with my
choruses.


Pre-singing:

1. Extend arms above head; consciously become aware of and feel the
extra extension and new elevated upper-body / ribs position.

2. Take a breath over 8 [or other number] of beats "sipping through a
straw." while lowering arms, then hiss out. Maintain "upward" feeling in
body; don't collapse; feel "up." Feel the balance between resistance and
breath pressure.

3. Shake head R to L; shake hands.

[next is hard to describe in words; however, it's great for alignment and
energizing the whole body]

4. Sequence:
a. Inhale "into the pelvis" and "roll down" from the neck.
Imaging "furling a flag."
b.Continue inhalation into the tailbone; it rises as body "furls" down,
creating a stretch, tail to crown.
c. Exhale and allow spine to stretch from tail to crown, with the energy
of gravity.
d. When ready (individual), inhale into the tailbone again, and "unfurl"
from base of spine to crown.
e. Continue rising, and allow arms to extend to "the ceiling" and repeat
sip and hiss exercise above.

Above brings mind to focus on body and breath, and is good prep. for any
vocalization.


One favorite physical warm-up that I have used to help perk kids up and
get them moving is affectionately nicknamed “the shake-outs”. J You
shake out left hand, right hand, left foot, right foot a certain number
of times and keep counting down until you get to one. So you do 8 left
hand shakes, 8 right hand shakes, 8 left foot shakes, 8 right foot
shakes, 7 left hand shakes, 7 right hand shakes…etc. until you get to 1
left hand shake, 1 right hand shake, 1 left foot shake, and 1 right foot
shake (they end up jumping around at the end). This has always worked to
perk up a group of listless singers who need an extra burst of energy!