Send an e-mail to each member of the band, stating the date, time and place of the rehearsal. If this is the first rehearsal, include the address and phone number of the facility. Request that each member respond to your e-mail to confirm that they'll be present. A rehearsal with no-shows is a waste of time for the rest of the band, so everyone needs to acknowledge that they're able to attend.
Make a list of the songs you want to tackle during the rehearsal and allow sufficient rehearsal time for them. If you're simply going to run through the set list, this should be simple enough. But if you'll be working on new songs, allow a specific time for each song so that you don't run out of rehearsal time before all songs are worked on. Remember to allow time for refreshments and bathroom breaks.
Make MP3 recordings of any new songs that you have planned for the rehearsal, and compile chord charts and lyric sheets for them. Type an e-mail, listing the songs from Step 2 and include the MP3s and charts as attachments. Send to all band members so that each of them can work on their own parts at home and arrive at the rehearsal fully prepared.
Set up a basic recorder so that you can record the rehearsal. After two or three hours of playing, it's common to suffer from ear fatigue and lose your listening skills. Listening to a recording of your rehearsal a day or two later will be invaluable in judging the band's performance and progress.
Have the band play for fun for 15 minutes in order to warm up. Playing a simple blues jam or a couple of simple standards that everyone knows will help everyone relax and get comfortable. Launching immediately into detailed breakdowns of harmony parts or working on complex arrangements can be a little awkward for players who have yet to settle into a musical groove. You want the rehearsal to be professional, but you don't want it to feel like a chore.
Run through your set list, stopping only if the band stumbles badly. Work on problematic parts of the song in question, then play it from the beginning. It's easy to become bogged down and lose perspective after a while, so don't labor too long on one song. Instead, move on and then play the song again later. Quite often, a break will ease the tension and resolve many performance problems.
Discuss the rehearsal with band members as you tear down your equipment. This is an opportunity to build camaraderie among the players and will also help you get an idea about how to approach the next rehearsal.
Make a list of those songs that need the most work, and make them a priority for the next rehearsal. With input from all band members, come up with a schedule for the next rehearsal so that everyone's concerns can be addressed and the band can progress.
Make MP3 recordings of the rehearsal and e-mail them to each band member, along with a copy of the schedule for the next rehearsal. Everyone will then have the chance to review their own performance as well as that of the entire band. Ask everyone to exchange their opinions and views about the rehearsal, and to make suggestions about how the band might improve. Including the band this way will make everyone feel more involved and invested in the band's future.