At a recent rehearsal, one of my chorus members said something that really stuck with me. She told me, “I know the chorus is improving, but I don’t know how much I have a hand in that—if at all.”
That comment made me pause, because I know she’s improving. I hear it in her voice. I see it in her confidence. And she’s not alone—every singer who regularly shows up, sings, and engages is growing, even if they don’t always recognize it.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re just blending into the group while others improve around you, I want to assure you: You are absolutely growing, too. Sometimes, we just don’t notice our own progress because it happens gradually, in small ways that add up over time.
So, how can you start to recognize your own growth? Here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Improvement Isn’t Always Loud—But It’s Happening
Vocal growth isn’t always dramatic. Unlike learning a new song, where progress is obvious, skills like better tuning, breath support, or blending don’t always have big “aha” moments. But those small adjustments are making a difference.
Signs of improvement you might not notice:
- You don’t need to rely on sheet music as much.
- You find it easier to match pitch and sing with your section.
- You recover from mistakes more quickly.
- Your voice feels less tired after rehearsal.
- You’re more confident in tricky sections that used to stress you out.
Even if it doesn’t feel like you’ve changed much, these little shifts show that you’re developing as a singer.
2. If the Chorus Is Getting Better, So Are You
A chorus is made up of individuals—so if the group is improving, it’s because the singers in it are improving! Think of it like a team sport: the team gets better when each player develops their skills, even if they don’t realize it in the moment.
Ask yourself:
- Do I feel more comfortable singing in this group than I did six months ago?
- Am I able to hold my part more confidently in a tricky passage?
- Have I picked up any techniques or habits I wasn’t using before?
If the answer is “yes” to any of these, then you’re part of what’s making the chorus stronger.
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3. Trust What Others Hear
Sometimes, we’re not the best judges of our own progress. What feels “the same” to you might sound completely different to someone else. Your director, section leader, or fellow singers can hear things you might miss—so if they tell you that you’ve improved, believe them!
Ways to get an outside perspective:
- Ask a fellow singer, “Hey, have you noticed any changes in my voice?”
- Record yourself singing something you struggled with a few months ago and compare.
- Trust that if the people around you sound better, you’re likely part of that!
4. Celebrate the Little Wins
Growth doesn’t always look like hitting a new high note or singing a perfect solo. Sometimes, it’s simply feeling more at ease in your chorus or enjoying singing more than you used to. Those things matter!
Take a moment to appreciate:
- The fact that you keep showing up and singing.
- A section of a song that feels smoother now than it used to.
- A moment in rehearsal when you felt completely “in the music.”
Recognizing these small victories helps you see just how much you’ve grown over time.
You’re Growing, Even If You Can’t See It Yet
If you’re attending rehearsals, engaging, and singing, you are improving. Even if you can’t hear it right now, trust that all the work you’re putting in is making a difference—not just for the chorus, but for your own voice.
Keep singing, keep growing, and one day, you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come. You’ve got this!
❤ Rachel
SPARK! Music & Artistr 
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