There are 4 Key Elements to successful time management in a

rehearsal setting. They are:

1. Long Term Planning

2. Daily Rehearsal Schedule/Single Lesson Plans

3. Classroom Management

4. Rehearsal Techniques

Long Term Planning is the key to success of any performing ensemble.

1. Know/Confirm performance dates

-This ensures everyone is on the same page. Make sure venue is reserved for the correct date and time and that setup, recording, and other issues are arranged.

2. Make a rehearsal calendar

- Chart the number of days the ensemble has to prepare for the performance.

3. Pick the music

- Select music as far in advance as possible to allow for adequate score studying.

4. Study the scores

- The better the director knows the score the quicker rehearsal moves. Eye contact can be made with the musicians in the ensemble and intricate details can be rehearsed when the

conductor knows the score in detail.

Rehearsal Calendar Suggestions:• Map out all available rehearsal time• Plan which pieces will be rehearsed on which dates.• Examine the difficulty of music – there may not be

enough time to adequately rehearse more difficult pieces.• Rehearsal time is one of the most overlooked criteria

in the selection of music!

Score Study Tips• Make a time-line of the piece• Start small and work towards detail.• Whole/Parts/Whole analysis• Sing melodies/harmonies to yourself• Research composer and history of the piece.

By far, the most important schedule a director must carefully formulate is the daily rehearsal schedule.

The best way to do this is to create a “minutes-per-piece & rehearsal stages” method.

MINUTES PER PIECE

Formula: Total # of rehearsal minutes = X

# of piece

X – time for warm-ups, announcements = Y

Y is divided based on difficulty of pieces and each piece is assigned a number of minutes during each (certain) rehearsals.

REHEARSAL STAGES

5 Rehearsal Stages:

a) Begin: sight reading

b) Continue: working on piece during rehearsals

c) Finish & Review: finish rehearsing piece and review

d) Details: Isolate persistent errors. Precision for intonation, phrasing, balance, tone, etc.

e) Details w/ Special Needs: Such as joining soloist & accompanist, etc.

COMBINATION

These two approaches are combined and each piece is assigned minutes and stages for each rehearsal as in Figure 1 (MENC). Click Here to access Figure 1.

Once the daily schedule is created, lessons can be planned out in detail, including concepts to be focused on and materials needed for each lesson.

Example: Lesson for a 55 min. period

1. Warm-ups (10 min.)

2. Review all of Grainger. Finish practicing most difficult passages w/ special attention to rhythmic phrasing mm. 30-35. Correct recurring errors. (15 min.)

3. Continue learning Mvmt. 2 of Holst paying special attention to mm. 30-65. (15 min.)

4. Details on Tichelli. Balance and phrasing in mm. 15-30. Percussion entrances in mm. 45-53. (10 min.)

5. Announcements (5 min)

Classroom Management plays a huge roll in the time management of a rehearsal. Here are some suggestions for successful classroom

management:

1. Be proactive: Good classroom management is often a function of an organized teacher.

2. Sequencing: Proper sequencing will set students up for success and create a positive, motivational learning atmosphere.

3. Score Study: Directors must study and KNOW the score before rehearsal. A lack of knowledge in

the score causes students to lose confidence in their director and creates inefficient rehearsals.

4. Procedure: Students should be conditioned to follow a daily procedure that is constant. This

should include what to do when entering the room and how the lesson is structured.

5. Order: Place rehearsal order on board before students arrive so they can be prepared to play.

6. Administrative: Handle administrative functions OUTSIDE of rehearsal. Develop a quick, yet accurate,

attendance system.

7. Discipline: Have a discipline policy in place that all students understand at beginning of year.

This way, handling discipline problems will be efficient.

Rehearsal techniques can also make or break the efficient use of ensemble time. Proven rehearsal

techniques include:

1. Whole/Parts/Whole: Method of rehearsing a piece.

2. Short Transitions: most discipline problems occur here.

3. Keep a Quick Pace: Be aware of the clock and gauge students attitudes and reactions and pace lesson accordingly.

4. Isolate the Problem: Isolate musical issues and put them in context.

5. Slow Down Difficult Passages: Sometimes speed is the killer. Slowing things down enables students to learn it correctly and teaches them how to practice.

6. Don’t Always Start at the Beginning: This ensures each section, not just the beginning, is given equal attention.

Sometimes how you approach your time and space makes the biggest difference of all.

1. Prioritize: Achieve 2-3 important goals in class. Don’t overdo it.

2. Visualize: Have a clear mental image of your goals.

3. Itemize: Keep a to-do list and a date book to keep track of important things.

4. Minimize: Avoid clutter and distractions that take time away from your priorities.

5. Compartmentalize: Focus on what you are doing when you are doing it.

6. Organize: Create systems for things. This makes finding things efficient and allows for more rehearsal time.

7. Revitalize: SLEEP!