I came here to thank someone on this forum-who I can't remember!- who suggested the sotto voce rehearsal. I asked the choir last rehearsal to forget dynamics and sing everything sotto voce for the entire rehearsal. I said "listen for when think you are in tension with the other parts, and at these times you may sing louder, other wise you must sing as softly as possible the entire rehearsal." That's it. Those are the only instructions I gave.

The difference in blend and balance in one fell swoop was staggering. It was the biggest break through in polyphonic singing I think our choir has ever had.

So whoever you were, thank you!

Any other choral pedagogy one-trick-wonders out there?