Sprint to the Tape

No matter what the pacing throughout a race, runners almost always sprint to the tape. They make a heroic push, accelerating desperately to break the tape first and win the race. Since there isn’t always tape, we can also say “finish line,” but a runner breaking “the tape” to win is a great visual.

In my choir rehearsal, “Sprint to the tape” has a specific meaning. It happens when I start a full performance run of a song, then realize I don’t have enough time left in the class period to finish it.

It’s pretty simple: as the song progresses, I increase the tempo. It’s not so much an accelerando poco a poco, but more of a ratcheting up of tempo in each section or phrase, sometimes DRAMATICALLY.

I make a big deal of it. I say, “Ohhhhhh… I’m not gonna make it!” I look at the clock. I look at the choir with panic on my face. At the music. The clock. The choir. Clock. Choir. Music. Panic.

As the tempo quickens, certain aspects of singing will erode. Tone might suffer. Singers will laugh as they try to hang on. But amazingly, the rhythmic integrity usually holds, and often **increases!** But the tension rises to a fever pitch. WILL. WE. MAKE. IT?!?!

Depending on your skill at controlling the performance, one of the following will occur:

Ending before the bell - everyone rejoices!

Ending EXACTLY AT THE BELL - THE WORLD COMES UNGLUED WITH JOY!

The bell rings before you finish - the choir often continues to sing while they pack up and exit, sometimes out the door and down the hallway.

It’s just some choir fun. You might find yourself in this boat accidentally. Sometimes you’ll plan it. It can be a great ending to a fantastic rehearsal, or a morale-saver when the choir has a rough day. It has always been a positive in my rehearsals.

Have you ever “sprinted to the tape?” If you have, or if you try this sometime soon - comment or DM and let us know!