The Power of Purpose: Why Intentional Vocal Warmups Matter - by Chris Maunu

"Even brief warmups can become rituals that inspire artistry and invite growth. "

As choral conductors, educators, and singers, we often treat vocal warmups as a prelude to the “real” work—the repertoire. But over time, I’ve come to believe that intentional warmups are not just a stepping stone into rehearsal—they are, more often than not, the work. In fact, I would argue that the most successful choral ensembles—whether middle school or professional—understand that how we begin a rehearsal sets the tone for everything that follows. Intentional warmups can transform vocal technique, build ensemble discipline, and create profound moments of musical awareness, even before the repertoire is sung. But they require thoughtful planning and a conscious understanding of the singers in front of us. Here’s why it matters—and how we can make it count.

1. Warming Up the Whole Singer

A warmup should be more than arpeggios and scales. It should connect the singer to their breath, body, mind, and each other. That doesn’t mean we abandon the fundamentals—it means we treat them with reverence and purpose.

Breathing exercises, for instance, aren’t just to move air; they can establish grounding, focus, and intention. Physical alignment activities aren’t just stretches; they’re cues to awaken proprioception, unlocking certain muscle groups for freer phonation. When singers understand why they’re doing an exercise, their engagement increases—and so does their artistry.

We want our ensemble members to carry themselves with awareness and confidence. Intentional vocal exercises create a ritualized space for that: one where singers are guided back to their bodies, reminded of their artistic voice, and prepared to contribute to something larger than themselves.

2. Diagnosing and Refining Technique in Context

One of the most powerful things about a well-crafted warmup is its diagnostic potential. Are the altos struggling with breathiness? Are the tenors muscling through the passaggio? Do the sopranos need to anchor their sound more in the mask?

We can (and should) use warmups to address these real-time issues. But rather than grabbing random vocalises off the shelf, intentional warmups are customized. They evolve as the choir evolves. Using our “fab five” exercises is not a bad thing, provided they are infused with strong intentionality.

If a piece demands agility, we may incorporate melismas or staccato patterns. If ensemble cohesion is a challenge, we might include tuning exercises on vowel shapes and formants that appear most frequently in the repertoire. If dynamic sensitivity is the goal, we may practice diminishing volume while we increasing intensity.

In other words, the warmup period is an on-ramp to the literature itself. And when singers understand that connection, they begin to approach both warmups and repertoire with more nuance and engagement.

3. Building Ensemble Identity

What a chance to build culture. Whatever the level of singers in front of us, those first few minutes set the tone for rehearsal energy, trust, and collaboration. Are we listening deeply to each other? Are we centering the collective sound? Are we respecting the space and one another?

Whether it’s an all state choir or a collection of beginning singers, I’ve found that some of the most meaningful growth happens before we open a piece of music. Through a carefully planned structure that focuses on unity—like exploring the vast palette of tone color—we help create a safe container for vulnerability, experimentation, and expression through this practice.

While especially critical in honor choir settings, where strangers must quickly form a cohesive ensemble, intentional focus in this regard. A sequence of activity rooted in connection lays the groundwork for powerful and emotionally connected music-making later.

4. Developing Artistic Vocabulary

The warmup period is an educational goldmine, where we can teach musical vocabulary and skills in digestible, low-stakes ways.

Instead of throwing out amorphous phrases like “energize the tone” or “connect the breath,” we can show them what that means through an exercise that draws awareness to the sensation. We can use descriptive language—imagery, metaphor, and sensation—to help singers internalize concepts, rather than memorizing rules.

For example, I might say:“Breathe in through the shape of the vowel, engage your face and body, and sing the pitch, allowing the sound to grow.” When the onset is inevitably too harsh, we may incorporate some “tension transfer” by raising a relaxed wrist in front of us. Embodied instruction builds a shared artistic vocabulary—one that singers will carry into the literature and eventually use independently. That’s empowerment.

The language we use during warmups becomes the language we can draw from in the repertoire—and over time, singers start using that language themselves. That’s empowerment, and for those in classroom spaces, a main aim of music education.

5. Modeling Excellence and Mindfulness

Finally, intentional warmups are our chance to model how we want our singers to approach their craft: with curiosity, focus, and presence.

Do we honor these first minutes of rehearsal with the same artistry we demand in performance? Do we rush through them, or do we lead with calm, creative energy? Singers notice.

When warmups are treated as sacred space—where we listen, adjust, and discover—we instill habits that carry into every corner of rehearsal. We show that every sound matters. That every moment matters. And as we know, the pursuit of mastery lies not in the grand gestures, but in the consistent practice of excellence in the small things.

A Final Thought

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about process. A daily or weekly recommitment to craft, connection, and care. Whether I’m working with Pacific Youth Choir, an all-state ensemble, or visiting a classroom, I’ve found that the way we start changes everything.

So let’s start with intention. Let’s design our warmup period to serve the singers in front of us—vocally, musically, and humanly. Even brief warmups can become rituals that inspire artistry and invite growth. Because when we honor the warmup, we don’t just prepare to sing—we prepare to connect, to grow, and to transform.