The Ultimate Choir Retreat - Dubai City Sounds
4 Ways To Boost Your Choir
I had the incredible opportunity to bring my expertise as a Choir Coach to Dubai, where I conducted sessions for Dubai City Sounds (DCS). I was honoured when DCS invited me to collaborate in designing the Ultimate Choir Retreat, and I can confidently say that it was an indelible experience. The choir comprises a remarkable ensemble of singers hailing from diverse backgrounds, and their unwavering enthusiasm and deep affection for music shone through from the very first notes they shared.
At the helm of the choir stood Gayle (in yellow above), an exceptional conductor with a natural flair for leadership. Gayle’s ability to guide and inspire the choir members was evident in every note they sang and I was honoured she invited me to share my take on how to direct a choir. Her skilful direction, paired with a good understanding of the music, created a good platform to build from.
The choir’s diverse repertoire showcased a harmonious blend of both timeless classics and modern hits across various genres, spanning from the enchanting melodies of barbershop to the infectious rhythms of contemporary pop. Each song was brought to life with a high level of passion, and emotions
The enchanting harmonies were captivating and I was excited to add to what was already outstanding work.
The retreat served as a gathering of minds, where singers joined forces to refine their skills and elevate their collective artistry. Through workshops and interactive sessions, we explored innovative coaching methods, delving into the intricacies of vocal technique, stage presence, and musical interpretation. Together, we embarked on a journey of growth, inspiring one another to push boundaries and reach for new horizons.
Beyond the hours spent refining our craft, the retreat fostered a time for re-bonding (sometimes we lack the time to invest in each other). We laughed, we shared stories, and we discovered the common thread that wove us together—the love for music.
One of the highlights of my weekend was when Dubai City Sound performed Freddy Mercury Classic “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, which was performed with such enthusiasm and camaraderie I was so looking forward to taking this song to another level. Another standout moment was when the choir sang a ‘Sing a Song of Six Pence’ which involved beautiful call and response and contrapuntal movement, which showcased their versatility and ability to perform with overlapping rhythms.
4 Ways To Boost Your Choir
I shared many themes throughout the weekend but four themes clearly resonated with the choir and in their feedback they strongly mentioned them. Here are the four boosters.
1. The Three Dependences – I shared with the choir how to build clearer, celebrated communication using Dependence, Interdependence and Independence. Here in the clip below, we play a game which highlights the three D’s.
2. Loop Until Lock – Black music is very dependent on what we call the ‘groove’. A groove is carved out by repetition. When working with a group of people, It is important we have patience with ourselves and each other when trying to achieve excellence through repetition.
3. F.A.C.E our Challenge – Truly facing our challenges comes through the following:
- F – Face your fears. Seeing it for what it is, not what it could be.
- A – Accept the Challenge. It belongs to you, be honoured and be counted.
- C – Celebrate your Wins. Celebrate, no matter how great or small the win may be.
- E – Enjoy the process, don’t endure.
4. Encouragement Sweetens Labour – This Ancient Biblical wisdom stands the test of time. The more we feed courage to the inner parts of our co-workers, team buddies, and colleagues, with encouragement, the more they are fuelled to work for mutual success rather than looking for exclusive failure. Encouragement really brings out the best in your teams work.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with Dubai City Sounds and their singing. The choir’s talent, dedication, and passion for music shone through in their songs, and it was clear that they had put in a lot of effort to their craft, and what we created together for the weekend was an experience we all won’t forget. To find out what Dubai City Sounds thought check out their review of my Choir Coach Sessions.
"Teach your audience to exchange their insecurities for your confidence."
As the retreat drew to a close, the final performances (which we recorded as the success of the weekend discoveries) served as a culmination of our collective efforts. The applause for each other was a testament to the transformation that took place over the weekend.
Singing in a choir has so many benefits for the development of a team. Benefits range from the happy hormones you can create from singing to the healthy bonding experience a team receives from singing a song together.
You don’t have to be in a choir to enjoy the benefits of singing. To find out more on how to build a team through singing or building The Ultimate Choir Retreat, click below to book a discovery call with me.