5 Ways to Warm Up Your Voice Before a Christmas Performance

Christmas season is a wonderful time for singers - full of concerts, carol services, and festive gigs. But it’s also one of the busiest times for your voice. Between rehearsals, travel, and cold weather, it’s easy to forget that your vocal cords need a proper warm-up before stepping on stage.

A good warm-up doesn’t have to be long or complicated. Just a few minutes of focused exercises can make a big difference in your tone, stamina, and confidence.

Here are five simple ways to prepare your voice for your next Christmas performance.

1. Start with Gentle Breathing

Every strong note begins with steady breath support. Before singing a single note, spend a few minutes focusing on diaphragmatic breathing.

• Place one hand on your stomach and inhale slowly through your nose.

• Feel your belly expand outward as your lungs fill.

• Exhale gently through slightly parted lips, keeping your shoulders relaxed.

This helps calm nerves, centre your body, and wake up your breath control - essential for singing carols in long phrases or managing dynamic shifts in festive music.

2. Hum to Loosen the Voice

Humming is one of the safest and most effective ways to warm up without straining cold vocal cords.

Start with gentle mmm sounds on a comfortable pitch. Let the vibration move forward into your lips and face.Then slide up and down (“sirens”) to stretch your range softly.

This increases blood flow to your vocal folds and helps your resonators (mouth, nose, and chest cavities) engage smoothly - the key to a warm, resonant Christmas tone.

3. Use Lip Trills or Straw Exercises

Lip trills and straw phonation both create gentle resistance that helps your voice vibrate freely.

Try this simple routine:

• Blow air through closed lips for a steady brrrr sound (as if imitating a horse).

• Then sing short scales or glides on that sound.

If you prefer, use a Voice Smoothie or straw to phonate into water. This reduces vocal tension, builds flexibility, and helps you find your natural, balanced tone before you start projecting over a crowd or choir.

4. Stretch Your Range Slowly

Never jump straight into your highest or lowest notes - gradual range work keeps your voice agile without shock.

Use five-note scales or octave slides to move up and down comfortably. Focus on even tone rather than volume.If you notice any tightness, stop and reset with humming or straw phonation before continuing.

Think of it as stretching before a workout: smooth, controlled movements prepare your vocal muscles for longer singing sessions.

5. Warm the Body, Not Just the Voice

Your voice doesn’t exist in isolation - it’s part of your whole body. Gentle neck rolls, shoulder circles, and jaw releases relax the muscles that influence your tone.

Cold venues or early rehearsals can make the body tense, so take a minute to move, stretch, and breathe before you begin. The more relaxed your body feels, the freer and more resonant your singing will be.

Bonus Tip: Cool Down After the Applause

Once the performance is over, your voice still needs care. A few minutes of soft humming or light lip trills help your vocal folds recover and prevent post-performance fatigue.

Final Thoughts

The festive season can be busy, emotional, and full of beautiful music. Taking a few moments to warm up properly not only protects your voice but also helps you enjoy the performance with ease and confidence.

If you’d like to learn how to build a stronger, more resilient voice for every season, explore my 1:1 singing lessons to keep your voice performing at its best.