Use warm-up exercises to prepare the beginner choir member for singing. Warm-up exercises ready the vocal chords for the mechanical stress of singing. Warm up the body as if preparing for an athletic event. Ask the choir member to breathe deeply while he moves his arms out laterally, then over his head. Have him shake out his arms, roll his neck gently side to side and twist his torso. Ask him to sing up and down the scale using "Do Re Mi" or ask him to sing one vowel on the scale. Try singing a scale using the rolled "r" or the "aw" sound. Move up a key and ask him to sing the scale again. A child beginner may enjoy scales on a silly word, such as "bumblebee."
Beginners may not understand counting out the beat or musical symbols like a "rest." Using visual cues can help them follow the music and sing at the appropriate time. Write the lyrics on a white board, with space between words that is proportional to the amount of time a note is held. Point to the words as they are sung, counting out the beat by tapping on each word. Try using an overhead projector for the same effect. For a kids choir, make picture boards for several words that appear frequently in the song (love, Jesus or family) and ask volunteers to hold up the cards at the right time.
Give beginner choir members a small percussion instrument, such as a chime or a sleigh bell, and ask them to play the instrument with the beat. They can also clap their hands or slap their leg. Try using percussion first without singing to find the rhythm, then add singing.
Have an audio recording for choir members to listen to. Turn down the volume on the CD player so that they can sing along with the recording. Make copies of the song on a CD and give them to the choir members to listen to at home or in their car.
Incorporate movement into the rehearsal to keep muscles loose and breathing relaxed. Ask the choir members to conduct the song with their hands from where they are seated. They don't have to know how to conduct, but conducting can make them aware of the beat and the flow of the song. Kids may enjoy moving their whole bodies with a song, doing slow, deliberate movements or fast dancing.