12 Warm-up Chorales

Whatever level of ensemble you conduct, these warm-up chorales can be a
beneficial resource: By experiencing warm rich tone, soulful melodies and lush
harmonies, students will become deeply engaged and will develop a genuine appreciation
for aesthetic beauty. And beauty is contagious.

When that level of engagement is established in a warm-up routine, it will eventually
appear in your students' concert preparation and performance. Just as one spends time
on scales to develop technical facility, time spent on these chorales will develop the band’s
sensitivity to subtleties of expression. Since the technical demands are quite minimal you
will be able to focus on musical elements such as tone quality, balance, intonation, and
style.

The 12 Warm-up Chorales have been selected from the concert band works of
Frank Ticheli. Each chorale retains the integrity of the original composition and has been
arranged to provide music appropriate for concert band warm-up routines.

Directors, of course, are encouraged to make the rehearsal their own by experimenting
with phrasing, tempo, and dynamics, along with rubato and other expressive elements.
Involving students in these interpretive decisions would be most valuable.

Imagine—while the percussionists are setting up—beginning each rehearsal with chorale
settings of some of Frank Ticheli’s most beautiful music.