How to Prep Your Voice for Holiday Performances

Holidays see a huge uptick in performances—choirs, concerts, worship services, musicals, and more. With that comes higher vocal demand, illness, colder air, and less recovery time. Whether you're a professional or a passionate hobbyist, how you prepare your voice can make all the difference.

Why Holiday Performances Are Tough on the Voice

Holiday performance schedules are intense. Back-to-back rehearsals, travel, and dry indoor air create the perfect storm for vocal fatigue. Many singers push through, risking hoarseness, inflammation, or worse—vocal fold injury.

5 Tips to Prepare Your Voice

1. Hydrate Early and Often

Don’t wait until show day. Start hydrating days in advance. Use a personal steam inhaler before and after singing. A humidifer by your bedside can combat drying forced heat.

*For our readers in opposite seasons, forced air conditioning during a hot summer does the same, so the same tips apply!

2. Warm Up Intentionally

Go beyond humming—target full-range, dynamic warm-ups tailored to your voice type and repertoire.

3. Cool Down After Singing

Use gentle trills or straw phonation post-performance to release tension and promote vocal recovery.

4. Rest Between Rehearsals

Schedule vocal naps (5–10 minutes of total silence) throughout the day to avoid cumulative fatigue.

5. Dress for the Air You’ll Be In

Cold, dry air increases risk. Use scarves, humidifiers, and avoid talking in cold outdoor spaces post-show. If you're in summer in December, remember to replace moisture lost through sweat by hydrating. Cool full coverage clothing can limit the impact of sunburn and water loss.

Plan, Don’t Push

The holidays may be magical, but for your voice, they’re demanding. The best performances come from a well-prepared, well-cared-for voice.

Need help building a vocal health plan for performance season? Book a pre-holiday vocal checkup at CVH.