Flex the Sight-Reading MuscleBeing a good sight-reader will enable you to learn music faster, stay ahead of the pace in rehearsals, and allow you to concentrate on the quality of your singing, instead of your place in the music. Sight-reading, like a muscle, only gets stronger by repetition. It doesn't matter what you sight-read. It could be out of a hymnal, a sight reading series, or a random piece of music lying around in the choir room. Keep up this kind of "exercise" and you will soon learn many things about the way YOU learn music. To get started, look at a piece of music, find your starting pitch, then sing while looking ahead for "clues" to the music along the way. Don't stop! Plow right through it. As long as you try to improve each time, becoming more fluent in the language of music, there is no wrong way to go about it. We are not born good sight-readers. It is a learned skill. Keep at it!- Brian Ohnsorg

Water MusicIt is important to become hydrated well before you plan to sing. Drink plenty of water. Soda and coffee don't count! The vocal folds are one of the last tissues in your body to become fully hydrated. So, this means starting the day with not only a good breakfast but also a tall glass of H2O. You'll know when you are consuming enough water when it leaves the same color as it went in!- Brian Ohnsorg

Catch a BuzzBreathing is important in good vocalizing every day -- in singing, talking, and the occasional and potentially abusive yelling at the Friday night football game. One way to develop breathing is to do the "lip buzz" (forcing air from the diaphragm through closed lips) first thing in the morning. Before talking or singing in the morning (in the shower is great, with all that steamy, moist air) take a few minutes to do this exercise. Focus on moving air rapidly while staying relaxed in your jaw, throat, and shoulders. The next step would be to start singing your favorite shower melodies through that same "lip buzz." This will dramatically improve your consistency of tone and breath control. And by properly breathing you'll be able to sing for much longer periods of time.- Brian Ohnsorg

Check Out EverythingIn addition to your own performing opportunities it is important to listen to others perform. Seek out college and professional choruses in your area and go hear them live. Notice the things that draw your attention and make you receptive as an audience member. Then, make sure you are doing those things yourself as a performer. In addition, get to know these performers. Find out the things that they have done to get them where they are in their singing.- Brian Ohnsorg

Listen Louder Than you SingIn most cases, if you can't hear the other sections, or your neighbor for that matter, you are too loud.- Brian Ohnsorg

Pencil at the ReadyTake it upon yourself not to make the same mistake twice. Especially if you don't like when the director has to stop because of you.- Brian Ohnsorg

Practice Perfect PostureWhen sitting, be on the edge of your chair with both feet flat on the floor. When standing pretend that a string is attached to the top of your hair and is being pulled straight upward. In other words, hold your weight 'high' and evenly on both feet.- Brian Ohnsorg

Listen to the Surgeon GeneralDon't smoke! Don't smoke! Don't smoke! As evidence, listen to the voice of anyone who has smoked all his or her life. Guaranteed not to be a voice you'd like to model yours after.- Brian Ohnsorg

Remember the DuckHere's a tip appropriate for Eugene and the University of Oregon. Be a duck! When you see a duck in the water, all is placid and relaxed above the surface; look below, and it's paddling like mad. When singing, your body from the neck up must be relaxed, but your abdominal and intercostal (rib) muscles should work like crazy to support your breathing.- Peter Hopkins

Tips for Young SingersGood singers never stop studying; you always need a second set of ears.- Stephanie Dreisbach

Tips for Young SingersAlways tape record voice lessons and rehearsals - your ears may lie to you, but the cassette never does.- Stephanie Dreisbach

Tips for Young SingersLearn to sing scales fast. A singer who cannot sing coloratura is equivalent to a violinist who cannot move his fingers. Also, it helps your intonation.- Stephanie Dreisbach

Tips for Young SingersLearn to be a good sight-singer. Music is a language, if you want to be fluent, you must first be able to read.- Stephanie Dreisbach

Tips for Young SingersRepeat self-affirming thoughts aloud before any nerve-wracking performance, especially auditions.- Stephanie Dreisbach

Tips for Young SingersCommunicate to your audience with your voice through your eyes and strength in your body - most gesturing is unnecessary and distracting.- Stephanie Dreisbach

Tips for Young SingersNever give up any opportunity to sing professionally, if you want to be a professional singer. College can be a great place to learn, but for a singer, no school experience can ever compare to a legitimate professional one.- Stephanie Dreisbach

Use it or Lose itYour voice is like a muscle; if you do not use it, it will loose resiliency and strength. I am still amazed at how true this is-when I was five years old, I could do the Chinese splits and scream for hours; my leg muscles were still flexible and strong and my vocal chords could withstand any kind of abuse. You may not realize it when you're in your teens and early twenties, but keeping supple, flexible vocal cords takes the same kind of care as the rest of a well- conditioned body.

Think of your voice the way you think of your muscles when you prepare for a sporting event or rigorous exercise. You wouldn't think of climbing a mountain without getting in shape physically, warming up thoroughly, and mentally preparing for the task, as well as keeping focused on achieving your goal (the summit of the mountain) and avoiding falls and injury. Yet too often, we sing a demanding piece of music without really warming up, with little concentration, often with little sleep (or a wild night of partying the night before), just expecting it to happen. The world is full of voice teachers who sang in precisely this way and were soon unable to perform professionally any longer. Take care of your instrument, just as you would your body.- Cassandra Ewer