All-State Chorus: Breath, Diction & Sight-Singing Routine for Busy Teens

Between classes, sports, and homework, All-State chorus prep has to be efficient. Judges mainly listen for steady pulse, accurate pitch center, clear diction, and a shaped musical line. The routine below takes 15 minutes a day and fits right into a busy high-school schedule. (Always confirm your exact requirements with your state association—e.g., FVA in Florida—since keys, excerpts, and procedures can change yearly.)

What judges actually score (in plain English)

• Breath & tone: Calm inhale, supported phrases, resonant placement (not throat-heavy).
• Pitch accuracy: Start on tonic, stay centered, correct accidentals.
• Rhythm & pulse: Count cleanly through ties, dotted figures, and rests.
• Diction: Vowels align; consonants early and energetic, never late or swallowed.
• Musical line: Dynamics and phrase direction (don’t sing everything mezzo).

The 15-Minute Daily Routine (minute-by-minute)

Tools: a straw (for SOVT), water, metronome app, pitch source (keyboard app or piano).

0:00–1:00 — Body reset
Stand tall, knees soft, ribs buoyant, jaw loose. One silent yawn to release the tongue.

1:00–3:00 — Breath training

• Inhale 4 counts, exhale on “sss” for 8–12 (steady, no shoulder lift).
• 3 easy “hiss-to-voiced” reps: 2 counts hiss → 2 counts on “vv” or “zz.”

3:00–5:00 — SOVT warm-up (lip trill or straw)

• 3 gentle sirens low→mid→high→mid.
• Goal: even airflow, no pushing.

5:00–7:00 — Resonance & vowel shaping

• Hum “mmm” 1-3-5-3-1 (five-note pattern).
• Open to pure vowels: EE, EH, AH, OH, OO on the same pattern, keeping the lips forward and jaw easy.

7:00–10:00 — Diction & rhythm

• Consonant pops: ptk bdg fvs zʒ ʃ t͡ʃ d͡ʒ in 4-beat groups, then add a metronome.
• Speak a 2–4 bar rhythm line with text (or neutral syllable) in time.

10:00–14:00 — Sight-singing core

1. Key scan (20s): Name key & tonic; think Do.
2. Time scan (15s): Meter, toughest bar starred.
3. Count & clap (45s): Clap the starred bar → whole excerpt with click.
4. Pitch map (40s): Sing Do–Mi–Sol–Do and back; hum first interval jumps.
5. Sing (2 min): One pass on solfège (or numbers), then one on “la.” Keep tempo; no stopping.

14:00–15:00 — Phrase & log
Shape one line (crescendo into the apex, taper release). Write 1 win + 1 tomorrow cue.

30-Second “in-room” checklist (for audition day)

Key → Time → Roadmap → Count toughest bar → Quiet inhale → Begin.
If you wobble, protect the pulse, breathe, and finish the phrase musically.

Voice-type quick tips

• Sopranos: Narrow vowels as you ascend (lean toward EE/OO shapes); aim spin, not volume.
• Altos: Keep space in low/mid vowels; avoid “covered” AH—lift soft palate.
• Tenors: Early breath plans; don’t yank high notes—mix sooner, think forward resonance.
• Basses: Support on quiet onsets; keep OO/OH tall (no spread) to stay in tune.

Weekly plan (15 minutes/day, copy/paste)

Common problems & fast fixes

• Running out of breath: Inhale earlier & quieter; stagger breaths with partner practice; practice 8–12 count “sss.”
• Flat on descending lines: Think forward vowel (EE/OO feel) and maintain airflow; don’t darken the jaw.
• Muddy diction: Consonants before the beat, vowel on the beat. Over-articulate in practice; dial back for performance.
• Losing place in cuts/repeats: Highlight road signs; rehearse the exact jump once daily.

Mini sight-singing gym (2–3 minutes when you can)

• Dotted-eighth/sixteenth at one tempo: clap → sing on ta.
• Triplet vs duplet contrast in the same bar.
• Ties across barlines: Conduct lightly with your hand while singing.
• Chromatic neighbors: Ti–Do / Fa–Mi drills to stabilize intonation.

5–7 Minute Audition-Day Warm-up

1. 60s SOVT sirens (straw or lip trill)
2. 60s vowel ladder (EE→EH→AH→OH→OO) mid-range only
3. 60s count-speak the trickiest rhythm at tempo
4. 90s Do–Mi–Sol patterns + two interval jumps from the excerpt
5. 60s quiet phrasing on one line (mezzo—save the top for the room)

FAQ

Do I have to use solfège?
Use what your association requires. If optional, solfège or numbers help you see intervals, then switch to “la.”

How fast should I go?
Choose the most musical clean tempo you can hold. Pulse stability beats speed.

Can I practice silently in a shared space?
Yes—count-speak rhythms, straw phonation, and quiet hums build the same skills.

Want personalized help (and mock auditions)?

We coach teens to breathe calmly, sing in tune, and read confidently—in just 15 minutes a day. In-home lessons save time, and virtual make-ups keep your streak alive during busy weeks.