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Essentials in
Direct and Teach
What people are saying about CDWI
Don't take it from us -- read the unsolicited comments received from dozens of directors and chorus members who have participated in CDWI.
Updated: 9/27/2007 11:41:10 AM
What people are saying about CDWI: Unsolicited comments received following workshops
What the directors are saying:
- WOW! If anyone has not attended a "Chorus Directors Workshop Intensive" (CDWI), I HIGHLY recommend that you make it a part of your regular routine. No matter the level of your chorus (or its director), this is a wonderful tool. Not only is the mirror turned on you for the all day session, but you are taught how to look at yourself from the chorus members’ perspective. I suggest that this program will be very beneficial to our society.
- First, let me say THANK YOU for asking me to participate in this session yesterday. I always knew that I could wave my hands in front of a chorus and drill the members in craft, etc. However, there are so many things that I wasn't aware of. Now I can work on not bending my knees and in giving praise in the correct manner. The knees will come very quickly; however, the way to give praise, instead of criticizing, will take practice and a new awareness on my part. Base on the feedback from the chorus members, praise goes a whole lot farther than the "don't do it that way" feedback.
From CDWI hosts / practice chorus
- Boy, am I ever glad that you talked us into hosting the CDWI. It was great! Everyone I've talked with is ready to do it again ASAP. The thing that makes me very happy is that all of the chorus members felt that they learned many new barbershop techniques and had a wonderful time. Singing with twice the number of men on the risers was a thrill for us and that has lighted a fire in our chorus to increase our membership.
- This was my 4th CDWI experience, and as was true of the previous three, I was most impressed with the Trainer's knowledge, people skills, and dedication to the improvement of the skills of the directors in attendance. Both were obviously intent upon providing them with a Workshop experience that was as meaningful and as positive as was possible for them to provide! I felt that they complemented each other very well. Roger mentioned that they seemed to run into some difficulties in the morning session. Based on my previous CDWI experiences, I thought they handled the session in a very positive manner. They had a couple of directors that seemed to have difficulty expressing themselves, by putting their feelings and desires on certain matters into words that they felt comfortable with. Both Jim and Roger tried several different approaches to elicit information and statements needed to facilitate the program. It is difficult to work with shrugged shoulders, and "I don't know," but they managed to do so.
And best of all... the feedback from chorus singers three months later
- The director is more aware of the total sound of the chorus and seems more relaxed in his directing.
- The director is more enthusiastic and more helpful.
- The director is better at avoiding negativity.
- The director no longer sings while directing, he has increased eye contact and is doing a superb job of praising
- The director uses more eye contact and directs the whole chorus rather than sections
- The director is making a conscious effort in continually working to transfer CDWI improvement into rehearsals.
- The director has a better understanding of how to communicate what he wants. His explanation of breathing techniques and how important it is has helped us a lot.
- The director is much improved in communicating moves to the chorus and transmitting a tremendous amount of energy to the chorus.
- The director is much more consistent in his hand movements
- The director has improved visual communication, fewer extraneous hand motions
- The director uses better cutoffs, both within and at the end of phrases, better communication of desired dynamics.
- Immediately following the workshop, The director seemed more focused on seeing that the singers have a “positive” experience at rehearsal – more positive feedback.
- The director seems to be very aware of other parts & is trying to learn part-specific music.
- The director has an open mind to accept well founded constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement and of honing a wide variety of existing director skills.
- The director has an increased general confidence, attempting creative problem solving strategies and increased insight when dealing with old problems.
- The director is working on expecting members to have proper focus and forward press.
- The director has become very good with descriptive images to help us get the feel of the song.
- A theme of positive feedback to chorus members seemed to evolve from the workshop and our director has made some effort to adapt a more positive, encouraging approach.
- The director is more amenable to suggestions from chorus members, more open minded.
- Given a choice, I think our director would rather sing than direct. He realizes now that he is the facilitator of our performance and not the main performer. He is also clearer on communicating the emotion/face he wants.
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