by Kirby Shaw
1. When you walk out on stage, establish positive and enthusiastic eye contact with your audience. You be the one who starts the circle of communication. They should know from the first minute they see you that you have something wonderful to share with them. Be prepared!
2. Your posture and physical presence on stage should send an unmistakable message to the audience that says, "I'm ready and I'm proud of what I have to offer!" Be confident!
3. Every moment you're on stage there will be someone in the audience watching you. Holding your hands in front of your body or any other self-conscious movements like scratching or adjusting your clothing are distracting to everyone's focus on the music. Be relaxed!
4. Diction, diction, diction! It's in the consonants. Make sure the back row of the audience can understand your words. Be understood!
5. Sing every phrase of a song as if you wrote the lyrics. Be dramatic!
6. The expression on your face must reflect the meaning of the text at all times. Practice in front of a mirror until you believe it. Be real!
7. Is your mouth open enough; and is the whole choir shaping their vowels the same way? This is an area where improvement can happen in a hurry. Stand in a circle. As each person sings the same vowel, decide which mouth shape best allows the most beautiful tone of that vowel to be heard. Then everyone copy it. Be unified!
8. How's your style savvy? Can you sound soulful, classical, country, jazz, Broadway? Music in America is a celebration of styles! Be versatile!
9. When someone in your performing group has a solo, help the audience's focus by looking at the soloist. Be focused!
10. How are your dynamics? Most music is usually sung mf (medium loud) or louder. Dare to sing soft whenever it's appropriate to do so. But remember, it takes just as much physical preparation to sing soft as loud. Be dynamic!
NOW GO BE TERRIFIC!