Warm-ups

John Brough's blog Podium Speak has a great list of reminders about effective warm-ups. A sample:

Too often, a conductor spends more time talking about warm-ups than actually warming up. I try to take the approach that every minute when a choir is not singing, is a wasted minute. Nothing is more true than in the choral warm-up. The length of time it takes to criticize and "fix" issues that arise in the warm-up will counteract the whole purpose of a warm-up. By all means, fix problems - but don't dwell on them. Simple instructions, short sentences and too the point will be more beneficial than explaining the entire vocal apparatus, muscles, and everything involved in creating the sound. Let them sing!