Rehearsals, Rehearsals, How Do I Keep Up with Practicing and Singing So Much?

In the crazy times of many, many rehearsals, how do you keep up your good vocal health and make time for your own practicing?  Many of us start to feel overloaded at this time of year.  Rehearsals for the school (or community) musical are in full swing, you have rehearsals for choir, and All Catholic or District Choir music on top of that.  How do you get it all done with your school or work load?  It is essential to be organized and healthy!

Organize:
1. Make a plan for what absolutely must get done in a week.  A sample list might look like this:

-Homework
-Study for math test Friday
-Practice repertoire for voice lessons
-Learn new song for musical
-Learn 2 songs for District Choir
-Workout 2-3x

2.  Determine how much time you need/want to devote to each activity

-Homework - 2 hours per night
-Study for math test Friday - 1/2 hour each night with 1 hour on Thursday
-Practice repertoire for voice lessons -4x this week at 30-45 minutes
-Learn new song for musical - 3x this week at 20 minutes
-Learn 2 songs for District Choir - 2x this week at 20 minutes
-Workout 2-3x

3.  Plan out what you will do each day and stick to it!!  Make sure to include time for relaxing or working out to keep your brain and body in check.  Some days will be easier than others to stick to your plan.  You may run over a little bit in different categories, but if you stick close to it, you will get it all done!  Put that phone and anything with social media attached to it in another room!  If you have time after all is done, then is your time to interact. 

Monday
3:00-4:00PM Homework
4:00-4:30PM Regular voice practice
4:30-4:50PM Song for Musical
4:50-5:10PM District Choir
5:15-5:45PM Study Math
6:00-7:00 Dinner and relax
7:00-8:00PM Finish Homework
8:00-10:00PM FREE TIME
10:00PM  Go to Bed!

Tuesday
3:00-5:00 Play Practice (musical song practice included)
5:00-6:00 Homework
6:00-6:30 Yoga
6:30-7:00 Dinner
7:00-7:45 Regular voice practice
7:45-8:00 District Choir Music
8:00-8:30 Study Math
8:30-9:30 Finish Homework

Wednesday
3:00-4:00PM Homework
4:00-4:30PM Regular voice practice
4:30-4:50PM Song for Musical
4:50-5:30PM Run on treadmill
5:15-5:45PM Study Math
6:00-7:00 Dinner and relax
7:00-8:00PM Finish Homework
8:00-10:00PM FREE TIME
10:00PM  Go to Bed!

Thursday
3:00-5:00 Play Practice (musical song practice included)
5:00-6:00 Homework
6:00-6:30 Regular voice practice
6:30-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Study Math
8:00-8:15 District Choir
8:30-9:30 Finish Homework

Friday
You worked hard all week, take a break or using singing as a fun break!  Paint a picture, go out with friends.  Have a busy weekend?  Get a head-start on planning out what you need to accomplish next week.  Not too  much going on over the weekend, make a plan to get ahead on work for next week!

Be Healthy
Always make time for being healthy and make it a priority.  Most importantly:

- Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night
- Drink lots of water (64oz daily is ideal)
- Fuel your body with healthy food
- Make time for exercise
- Wash your hands frequently
- Make time for free time/relaxation (especially some without technology)!

With a little planning, there is time to make everything happen and to feel good about it all!

Enjoy everyday and make life your own masterpiece! Susan Anders Brizick