Surviving The Heat of Harmony – 10 Tips For Choir Rehearsals in Hot Weather
The importance of staying cool at chorus rehearsals in hot, sticky weather and what to do about it.
Posted By Mary Williams – Choir Leader, Singer & Blog Writer
I stand in the stifling heat in the vast school hall in front of my A Cappella choir rehearsals. As a vocal coach and choir conductor, I’m waving my arms in a space that feels like Dante’s Inferno. I feel exhausted with the heat, yet like a true leader – I do what I can. It’s horrid and humid.
I read the room and the collective heaviness in the air. The choir had opted to sit for the rehearsal – a practical decision to prevent any heat-induced fainting spells. Good call.
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Yet, the atmosphere was pregnant with distraction. My own physical discomfort was bothering me.
The moisture trickled down the small of my back, each droplet gaining momentum as it joined others on a slide down my spine. As if to mock my condition, sweat collected on my forehead, forcing me to wipe it off clumsily with the back of my hand. My hair clung to my face in damp tendrils, like unwanted thoughts clinging to my concentration.
Glancing at the choir, I found an array of flushed, glistening faces, each a mirror of my own discomfort. These were not just choir members; these were my friends, united by our love for music but currently frustrated by our struggle with the heat.
One of the sopranos broke the weighty air with a hand fan, its flutter offering a fleeting moment of reprieve. A temporary grace that vanished almost as quickly as it arrived.
Our clothes clung to us like second skins, damp and uncomfortable. The patchwork of sweat stains on my summer trousers told their own tale. My mind wandered to the cooling bliss of a cold shower, an antidote awaiting me at home.
A hot and sweaty singing rehearsal
Yet, amid this sticky atmosphere, embarrassed laughter escapes my lips. A laugh that spreads like wildfire, uniting us in our shared struggle and marvelling at our resilience.
The music becomes our salvation, rising above the heat and discomfort.
At that moment, we were reminded of the essence of our choir – the love of the singing that binds us and the joy that helps keep us sane. The music won, as it always does.
As the voices soared, filling the hot, stuffy air with harmony, I realised that no amount of heat could ever dampen the spirit of a choir united by the magic of music.
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The Craziness of The British Weather
Ah, the British weather—our most loyal companion and consistent betrayer. It can be gloriously sunny one moment and torrentially rainy the next.
And let’s face it, our summers are a box of weather chocolates; you never know what you’ll get. But what we do know is that the scorching days usually arrive when we least expect them—often when we are least prepared.
But one thing is almost guaranteed – the weather will turn maddening hot just as the school year resumes. This fickleness is part of what makes the UK so green and beautiful, but it also makes hot weather feel almost like an invading force, catching us unprepared and ill-equipped.
Our Choir Rehearsal Venues Aren’t Prepared
We just aren’t used to these sweltering conditions for choir rehearsals.
In the UK, our community spaces, schools and buildings are designed to conserve heat, not let it escape. They don’t often have air conditioning fitted, either.
This naturally becomes challenging during unexpected heatwaves, turning our rehearsal venues into sauna-like settings.
Yet, with our British stiff upper lip – we vow to “keep calm and carry on.”
The Serious Potential Health Implications of a Choir in Heat
Before we jump into solutions, we must talk seriously about the health risks of singing in the heat. Could Shakespeare have envisioned a more tragic setting for choir rehearsals than a humid British summer?
Elevated temperature and humidity can cause severe dehydration, and let’s not forget that our vocal cords are extremely sensitive to a lack of hydration. Things like fatigue, muscle cramps and fainting are real risks.
In severe cases, conditions like heat stroke could occur, which requires immediate medical attention. So, the stakes are high. Not only are we battling discomfort, but we’re also combating potential health risks.
A Ten-Point Strategy for Keeping Your Choir Cool and Energised
Here are my top 10 tips for keeping your choir singing members and yourself as comfortable as possible during those hot rehearsals in less-than-perfect conditions.
#1 The Virtue of Stillness
Avoid any high-energy activities. Warm-ups should be vocal rather than physical to conserve energy. Leave any party dances or high-action stretches and moves for a different choir night.
When we move less, our bodies generate less heat. During hot days, avoiding physical exertion is not just a comfort – it’s a safety measure.
#2 Dress for Singing in Comfort, Not Style
The key is breathable fabrics—linen, cotton, and moisture-wicking synthetics—that allow the body to cool naturally.
#3 Room Ventilation
Do your best with what you have if the venue allows it – to create cross-ventilation. Open windows and doors at opposite sides of the room to allow any available breeze to circulate.
#4 The Sit-Down Choir Rehearsal
Chairs should be readily available as our bodies have less work to do when sitting down, making us feel cooler and more relaxed.
Safety first: A seated choir is better than a fainting choir.
#5 Liquid Gold: Hydration
Make water stations available or encourage everyone to bring their water bottles. It’s crucial for both vocal cords and overall well-being.
#6 Mini-Breaks: The New Normal
Extra breaks should be the norm in extreme weather. Step outside, if possible, to get fresh air and cool down.
#7 Bring in the Fans
Whether they’re hand-operated or electric, fans can make a significant difference. Placing bowls of ice in front of larger fans can enhance their effectiveness.
#8 The Cooling Powers of a Wet Cloth
Damp cloths or flannels around the neck can provide astonishing relief. You could even keep these in a cooler for added refreshment.
When water evaporates, it takes heat with it – which is why a wet cloth can feel like an air conditioner.
#9 The Misty Miracle
A few quick sprays from a water spray can refresh a choir member in seconds.
#10 The Quick-Fix: Cold Water on Wrists
Surprisingly, rapidly running your wrists under cold water can lower your body temperature.
The wrist is a pulse point where blood flows close to the skin. Cooling it can help lower overall body temperature quickly.
The Importance of Self-Care for Choir Conductors
If you’re like me, you’re often more concerned about your choir’s well-being than your own. Which is rather daft.
Remember: you can’t effectively fill or support your choir singers from an empty cup.
I’ve now added a clip-on ChillMax Go Fan USB to my “Rat Stand” music stand, bag and try to stash a refillable bottle in my bag so I won’t forget to hydrate.
These small changes have been game-changers for me, allowing me to focus more on creating a fulfilling rehearsal experience for everyone, including myself.
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A Concluding Note: The Resilience of the British Spirit
“Keep calm and carry on” is a phrase we Brits adore and try to embody.
As much as our summers can test our resilience, they can’t quell our passion for choir, singing, community and being with friends.
By taking appropriate steps for everyone’s well-being, we can ensure that our choirs endure and thrive, no matter what surprises the British weather throws our way.
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Recommended Products for Beating the Heat At Choir Rehearsals
If you’re looking for some effective products to help keep cool during choir rehearsals, check out my suggestions here for my Best Buys For Cooling Down at Rehearsals for some tried-and-tested recommendations. These are all ideas that I use myself.
The Chillmax Go Fan is what is attached to my music stand. I always keep a USB fan with a battery charger in my handbag for my “hot” moments (as well as the low battery on my phone!
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Take care,
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