The choral accompanist every director desires.(Forum Focus: Collaborative Arts)

Every choral director wishes for an accompanist who is of one mind with them: who gives pitches quickly and efficiently; intuits nuances, direction of phrases and dynamics even as they are thinking them; and who supports every aspect of the choral rehearsal.

This isn't an unreasonable desire, but for the accompanist to represent the director's vision of the piece in sound, she must understand the director's plans for the flow of the rehearsal, warm-ups and choral goals, in addition to specific repertoire.

If the director's goals include maximizing rehearsal time, improving the listening skills of the singers and teaching musicianship through choral literature, the accompanist can be their best ally. The choir should sense from the minute they walk into the room that this space is different, and they will need to listen in a new way. If the accompanist plays current repertoire as singers enter the room, this can help them transition from passive listening to active listening. Warm-ups can heighten their awareness if the accompanist provides a harmonic backdrop for the exercises, which underscores the direction and phrasing of the warm-up and transitions between the keys with a dominant chord, rather than a tonic chord. This dominant chord encourages the choir to breathe rhythmically and to resolve the chord in their ear before they begin to sing.

In preparation for the rehearsal, the accompanist should rehearse the voice parts in a variety of combinations, as well as rehearsing the accompaniment. In passages with quickly changing harmonic textures and no piano reduction, it may be helpful to write in the chord names. When practicing, be mindful that each phrase must have shape and direction, and the accompanist must be able to make the music come alive. The accompanist will often be asked to play passages for the singers to listen and absorb the music. Be sure that harmonies are clear and not blurred by pedaling. Acoustic and rhythmic clarity is essential for choir members who are learning their part as they listen to the accompanist play it.

Discuss with the conductor about the affect of the piece. Your touch will determine whether the sound will be warm, crisp, brittle, expansive, tender, floating, martial and so on. One well-played section of a piece can convey ...