Just joined a rock choir - help!!

[myotherusernameagain]

Yesterday evening was only the second session, and today I seem to have almost entirely lost my voice. I can just about whisper and that's it.

Does this happen to people new to singing in a choir? I have had a bit of a cold for a few days anyway, and my throat doesn't hurt or anything, my voice just won't work.

Please tell me it will settle down!

It might be that you need to warm up and down more. I'm sure you do some warm up exercises as a choir, but as this doesn't seem to be quite enough for your voice, google some vocal warmups to do on the way there

Thanks, yes I will try that next time, I don't have any singing experience behind me, so it is probably too much too soon.

Good luck! Choir is great fun, do persist

No, that’s not normal! Were you singing very hard/loud?

It’s also possible you’re fighting a virus at the same time maybe.

I have had a bit of a cold and my hay fever is in full swing, but my throat doesn't hurt.

I’d say it’s to do with the cold.

I’m in a very similar choir to Rock Choir and absolute love it! I hope you love it as much as I do. Enjoy!

Also- make sure you're really well hydrated before a choir rehearsal. Hydration is really underrated! And take a bottle of water with you.

Remember the vocal chords are muscles - if you don't have much experience, it's like going to the gym for the first time: it will hurt a bit the next day, but that's only because you're not used to it!

Things will strengthen over time with use and you'll be fine.

Presumably they'll also take you vocal warm-up exercises?

Singing teacher/choral singer here OP. Most likely your cold has caused this, don't panic! Viruses can cause swelling in the vocal cords and singing can exacerbate this, leading to a lost voice!

In the future - try to always engage your upper stomach muscles while breathing in as you sing, this will remove tension from the throat/neck area and promote healthy singing technique going forward.

In the short term- rest and fluids are your best bet to get your voice back asap.