They should write their assignment on their practice chart, and keep a record of
when and how long they practice. They should total up their time every week,
and have their parent and their own initials on the paper. Detailed practice
guidelines for all groups are available on the handouts page. Here are the
basics:
Choir: Initially, students should practice breathing exercises and tone
matching exercises for 5-10 minutes, twice a day. Be careful to drink lots of
water, and to avoid salt, carbonated beverages, and milk products before
singing. Also make sure to follow the vocal warm-up exercises learned in
choir rehearsal before practicing choir songs. Students should also avoid
yelling or singing too loud or singing for long periods of time without
resting. Using the voice properly is really an athletic event. The muscles
need to be warmed up by stretching gently, proper usage, and without strain.
Orchestra: Initially, 10 minutes at least once per day, with one day off
entirely, is best. After the first two weeks, that time should increase to 20
minutes per day, again with one day off per week. After one month, the time
should increase to a minimum of 25-30 minutes per day, with two days a week
off. It is very important that the planned practice time be about the same
time every day, and is free from distractions. Practicing every day for short
periods will help the student progress much faster than two or three long
sessions a week. This is because the practice sessions are developing muscle
memory, much like in sports, and this needs to be reinforced by repetition on
a regular schedule. Long sessions at this age will cause fatigue and
frustration, and are to be avoided.
