Steve: If the evolution were performed in proper “...away aloft, and ride them down" United Service Spunyard & Blowhard fashion, I would think no music, singing or chanting would be effective. Splints & bandages oth… The Bricklayer's Song .

Fwiw: Fife and drum had the most range but any audible method was impractical over any considerable distance, vertical or horizontal, ambient noise only made things worse. In real world rowing, the interaction is just with the aft-most benches (strokesmen.) Everybody else guides on sight.

On more than one Caribbean island guidon oarsmen were “Bonnie Boys,” and very well paid crew but darned if I can find any sources as yet.