Running Effective Rehearsals with Star

Rehearsals are where preparation meets practice. This tutorial shows you how to use Star to run efficient, productive rehearsals that prepare your team for performance.

Time required: 15 minutes to read

What You'll Learn

• Setting up for rehearsal
• Using Star during practice
• Real-time collaboration features
• Managing changes on the fly
• Post-rehearsal updates

Prerequisites

• A show created for the upcoming event
• Team members invited as collaborators
• Basic familiarity with Star features

Part 1: Before Rehearsal

Step 1: Finalize the Show (Mostly)

Your show should be ~90% complete before rehearsal:

• Songs selected and added
• Basic order set
• Key information entered
• Notes added where known

Leave room for changes—that's what rehearsal is for.

Step 2: Verify Team Access

Check that all attendees have:

1. Received their collaboration invitations
2. Accepted and accessed the show
3. Downloaded Star (mobile users)

Send a reminder if anyone hasn't joined:

"Reminder: We're rehearsing tomorrow. Please open the [Show Name] in Star before you arrive."

Step 3: Prepare Your Device

• Charge your phone/tablet
• Ensure Star is updated
• Download/cache the show for offline access (if needed)
• Test that practice tools work (tuner, metronome)

Step 4: Set Up the Space (If Applicable)

For in-person rehearsals:

• Ensure WiFi is available (or confirm offline access)
• Have a display/projector if you'll show lyrics
• Position devices for easy reference

Part 2: Starting Rehearsal

Step 1: Quick Tune-Up

Before playing anything:

1. Everyone opens Star → Tuner
2. Tune all instruments
3. 3-5 minutes, everyone's in tune

This avoids mid-song tuning discoveries.

Step 2: Orient the Team

Open the show together:

• "Let's look at today's flow"
• Scroll through entries
• Point out any new additions or changes
• Answer immediate questions

Step 3: Set Expectations

Clarify what you're accomplishing:

• Full run-through?
• Focus on specific trouble spots?
• Working on transitions?
• Locking in arrangements?

Part 3: During Rehearsal

Running Through Songs

For each song:

1. Open the song entry (everyone sees details)
2. Note the key and tempo
3. Count off (use metronome if needed)
4. Play through
5. Stop and address issues
6. Repeat as needed

Using Practice Tools

Metronome:

• Open for tempo check
• Play along for a few bars if timing is loose
• Close when locked in

Tuner:

• Quick check between songs
• Address drift before it compounds

Piano:

• Give vocalists their starting pitches
• Check chord voicings when uncertain

Making Real-Time Changes

Rehearsal reveals what needs adjustment. Update Star as you go:

Changing the key:

1. "This feels too high. Let's try it down a step."
2. Open the entry, change the key
3. Everyone's view updates
4. Try again

Adjusting arrangement:

1. "Let's cut verse 3 for time"
2. Add a note: "Skip verse 3"
3. Or edit the lyrics to remove it

Reordering songs:

1. "The transition from song 2 to 3 isn't working. Let's swap them."
2. Drag-drop to reorder
3. Updated flow for everyone

Adding notes:

1. "Remember, soft on the verse, build on the chorus"
2. Add note to the entry
3. Everyone can reference it later

The Live Update Advantage

With Star, changes propagate instantly:

• No "did everyone get that?"
• No "let me write this down"
• No "which version are we using?"

Make the change, move on.

Part 4: Collaboration During Rehearsal

Presence Awareness

Star shows who's connected. Glance at your device:

• See who's following along
• Notice if someone dropped
• Verify tech volunteer is seeing what musicians see

If Using Synced View

One person (usually the leader) controls navigation:

• Everyone sees the same entry
• Advance to move the group forward
• Go back if repeating

This keeps everyone—literally—on the same page.

Distributed Control

Alternatively, let people navigate independently:

• Each person controls their own view
• Useful when working on individual parts
• Less synchronized, more flexible

Choose the mode that fits your rehearsal style.

Part 5: Addressing Common Rehearsal Scenarios

Scenario: "Wait, What Key Is This In?"

1. Open the song entry
2. Key is displayed
3. "It's in G. We talked about A, but let's try G first."
4. If you decide to change, update the entry

Scenario: "Can We Change the Tempo?"

1. Check the current BPM in the entry
2. "It says 120, let's try 110"
3. Open metronome, set to 110, play along
4. Update the entry if the new tempo sticks

Scenario: "I Don't Have the Right Lyrics"

1. They should be looking at Star
2. If they have a paper copy, they're using the wrong source
3. "Look at Star—that's the updated version"

Scenario: "Let's Add a Song"

1. Tap Add Entry → Song
2. Search and add
3. Drag to position
4. Everyone sees it immediately

Scenario: Technical Difficulties

If someone's Star isn't working:

• Check their connection
• Have them close and reopen the app
• Verify they have the right show open
• Worst case: they look over someone else's shoulder

Part 6: Rehearsing for Presentation

Practice the Tech Role

If someone else runs presentation on Sunday:

1. Have them open Presentation Mode
2. Run through as if it's live
3. You lead; they follow with navigation
4. Practice the cues: "Chorus again" (they tap back)

Timing Transitions

Note how long transitions take:

• How many seconds between songs?
• Any instrumental intros that need display changes?
• Add timing notes if helpful

Identify Trouble Spots

Mark entries that need attention:

• "This transition is tricky—watch for my signal"
• "We might repeat this chorus"
• Add notes to communicate these to the tech

Part 7: Ending Rehearsal

Capture Final Changes

Before everyone leaves:

1. Review all updates made during rehearsal
2. Read through the show one more time
3. Confirm the flow is correct
4. Lock in any "we'll decide later" items

Assign Follow-Ups (If Any)

• "Marcus, can you nail down that bridge before Sunday?"
• "Sarah, please add the closing prayer text"
• Star notes can capture these assignments

Save and Sync

Ensure all changes are saved:

• In most cases, Star auto-saves
• Verify by closing and reopening
• Everyone should see the same final state

Set Expectations for Sunday

• "This is the plan. No more changes unless emergency."
• "We start at [time]. Be ready by [earlier time]."
• "Any questions, message in the group chat."

Part 8: Post-Rehearsal

Review What Was Learned

After rehearsal, consider:

• Which songs need more work?
• Are there arrangement changes to note?
• Did any technical issues arise?

Update Entry Notes

Add anything discussed but not captured:

• Specific dynamics
• Cues for the tech
• Reminders for Sunday

Communicate with Absentees

If someone missed rehearsal:

• "Here's the updated show in Star"
• "Note the changes to songs 2 and 4"
• They can review on their own time

Rehearsal Checklist

Before

• [ ] Show ~90% complete
• [ ] All team members have access
• [ ] Devices charged and updated
• [ ] Rehearsal space ready

Start

• [ ] Quick tune-up
• [ ] Orient team to the flow
• [ ] Set session expectations

During

• [ ] Update Star in real-time
• [ ] Use practice tools as needed
• [ ] Capture changes immediately
• [ ] Address issues, then move on

End

• [ ] Final review of show
• [ ] Confirm all changes saved
• [ ] Assign follow-ups
• [ ] Set Sunday expectations

After

• [ ] Update any remaining notes
• [ ] Communicate with absentees
• [ ] Rest before Sunday

Tips for Better Rehearsals

Start on Time

Respect everyone's schedule. If rehearsal is at 7, start at 7.

Have a Plan

Know what you want to accomplish. Don't just "play through stuff."

Make Decisions

Rehearsal is for deciding. Avoid "let's figure it out Sunday."

Keep Energy Up

Take breaks. Celebrate wins. Don't grind people down.

Trust Star

Let the app do the administrative work. You focus on the music.

Next Steps

Rehearsals run smoothly. Now:

• Refine your rehearsal structure based on what works
• Train team members to update Star themselves
• Build rehearsal routines that stick