Native Languages

Why is it easier:

Singing in my native language is easier because I already know the words, and there are no new sounds which I am not used to producing from my mouth.  It is very easy to read through the words and even memorize them.

Why it is harder:

Singing in my native language is harder because for the few words which are pronounced differently, because of singing, I am unable to change them from what I already know,  The main example of this in class in "love", which is pronounced very different while singing than it would be while talking conversationally.

Proper choir technique

Posture:

Posture for sitting should be "standing from the waist up", meaning having a straight back and not leaning against the back of the chair.  Legs should be vertical, with feet touching the ground.

Posture for standing should be straight, legs comfortably separate from each other (not widespread, but not straight vertical either).  Hands should be at your sides, hanging loosely.

For both positions, music sheet should be below face, at a position where it can be seen while looking straight forward to avoid either blocking view of your audience or looking down, away from audience.

Breathing:

Breathing should be deep breaths, and should be directed through stomach, not lungs.  This means that when you breathe in, you should feel your stomach, below your rib cage, expand.

Vowel Formation:

Vowels should be long, not wide.  An example of this is love, which should sound more like a cross between "love" and "lave".

Articulation"

Articulation should be focused and precise, with very distinct sounds.  The hard consonants, "T", "D", "P", "K", and sometimes "C" should be easily identified, and small differences such as the difference between "G" and "J" should be made obvious.

Raphael's Introduction to Choir

My music experience mostly consists of last year.  I think this year will be very similar, but might be very different.  If it is different, it will be because I am now part of the older half of the choir, and will be expected to do better.  However, it will still be singing, so my experience should not change much.