The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of conductor verbalization, dynamic markings, conductor gesture, and choir dynamic level on individual singers' dynamic responses in music. Singers (N = 144) sang along with nine renditions of a tune while watching a videotape of a conductor, listening to a choir through headphones, and referring to the music. Instructions regarding the dynamic level (soft or loud) were given under four conditions: (a) verbal instructions, (b) written instructions, (c) changes in conducting gesture, and (d) volume changes in the choir. Results indicated that verbal instructions from the conductor elicited significantly stronger dynamic performance responses (alpha = .05) than did the other three instructional conditions. Singers responded significantly better on instructions pertaining to soft singing than they did on instructions relating to loud singing. Comparisons were made between conductors, college singers, and high school singers, and eye contact was also examined.
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