Begin with the preparatory beat, making sure all singers and musicians are ready. Use encouraging faces to support and begin with a slow mood expression if the piece is slow or sad, and a high eyebrow, smiling, uplifting look if the music is upbeat. Do not allow the start to be ragged; coming in together is vital. Conduct with your right hand, using the baton sparingly with the left, leaving it down at your side when not in use.
Use your facial expressions carefully to communicate the tone and feeling of the music. Achieving great emotional communication can make average singers become great. Use eye contact, and always express facial cues while working to keep the rhythm, beat and entering parts smooth. Show it when you a really happy with the sound. Allow the music to come alive during a performance; it can be exhilarating for everyone.
Using a baton with smaller groups is not effective. The hand does a better job of communicating a detail. Know the music thoroughly so you can conduct without looking down at your score. Every moment of emotion, tone and nuanced communication about coming entrances, challenging stanzas or difficult harmonic passages can be effectively communicated using just hands and expression.
Choose the right music for your singers. Music too low or too high for their voices will show. Choose music that matches their skill, and over time increase the difficulty of the pieces. Learn all the parts yourself first to be an effective teacher of each part and so you do not have to look down at your score for too many hints.