Hi, Jennifer.  Those of us who have dealt with choreography and stage blocking would NEVER leave logistics until the last minute, even if we may not actually rehearse stage movement until the final dress (which I ALWAYS do, talking it down in previous rehearsals but actually moving people on and off in the final dress).

 

But the downside of having large choruses is that we DO have to get them on and off stage, and since that's so obvious to the audience I simply wouldn't worry about it.  Yes, for some programs a singing entrance is awfully nice and especially effective, but really, what's the big deal about marching them on and off the stage.  If you can't do it in a setup with everyone in place at the very beginning (as several of the Holiday Season TV specials do very well, including a full orchestra), you don't really have any other choice.

 

It can be done behind a curtain, of course, during a called intermission, but it still takes just as much time.  And for my show ensembles people moved (and often actually RAN) on and off during the applause between numbers.  A chinese fire drill entrance or exit works really well when everyone knows exactly where they're going and doesn't run into anyone or trip over mic cables!

All the best,

John

Hi Jennifer -

We always used audience sing-a-long songs to cover to movement time. A good place to start would be the "Get America Singing...Again" volumes 1 and 2 that featured 42 songs that MENC (now NAfME) thought every American should know. Carols at Christmas, songs about the harvest or the moon in the fall - song selection could be as corny or as meaningful as you wished. It did involve the audience and also gave a short stretch break for those who needed it.

Best wishes,

Mike

I am the chorus manager for a chorus of 160 a chamber chorus of 50 and a women's Capella ensemble of 20. I regularly move them off and on stage without a hitch...often without actually practicing the movement ahead of time. I think the key is that you get yourself a person who is responsible and solely in charge of chorus lineup and movement. Consult with them a week out. That person should arrive at the venue 1 hour before the chorus to scope out the stage for safety and, if necessary, to think through the line up spatially.  Hopefully, you have a place where your chorus can line up that they can roughly mimic the rows on the risers. Then, with full faith in the chorus manager all they have to do is remember who they are standing next to and which row they are in. Now, they just follow directions and walk on stage.  There should be serious logistics discussed between conductor and assistants a week before. Your stage manager...and that person keeps the chorus manager aware of time...should also be included. It's possible, but not without serious thought. The chorus should never be panicked before they sing, never yelled at, never upset. Find someone with an even temper and lack of anxiety with large groups with often silly questions. Grab yourself a school teacher if your chorus has one.