Your preparatory beat also needs to show dynamics, atmosphere, and character. This sets the tone for the opening of the piece.

Using the following pieces, give a preparatory beat and imagine bringing in the choir:
● ‘I’ve been to France’ - simple folksong, small upbeat
● ‘Sanctus’ (Mozart’s Requiem) - dramatic opening, and forte, therefore bigger upbeat
● ‘Music Alone Shall Live’ - needs legato singing, therefore a rounder upbeat
● ‘Óró sé do bheatha bhaile’ - marcato, give an angular upbeat.