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November, 2005

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November 25, 2005
Dear Marie,

The choir in my small church is having an energy crisis. Our members and our pastor are expected to have so many organizations, projects, revivals, health seminars, evangelistic meetings, etc., that the choir members who still manage to make it to rehearsals are exhausted. Short of dissolving the choir, what is the best way to work around this problem?

I'm not exhausted, but they are.

Dear Not,
 
You've discovered one of the biggest "curses" of small churches. In a small church, the available "warm bodies" often aren't enough to do all the work that needs done.  It seems as though the same ten people are doing all of the 100 church jobs that need done. When they somehow rise to the occasion and do a great job in spite of their multiple obligations, then the pastor or the conference leaders or even other church members think they can do that job or  project again next week/month/year or add even more responsibilities to their list.
 
There are several ways to help combat the choir's energy deficit.
  1. Keep in contact with the people who make the schedules and know when the extra  meetings and/or projects are scheduled.
  2. If your pastor and church secretary are leaving you out of the information loop, do whatever is necessary (Throw a temper tantrum, even?) to impress them with how important it is for you to know the schedule WAY ahead of time.
  3. Once you know the scheduled "extras", you can plan to use easy music and light rehearsal schedules during those weeks.
  4. Remind the pastor and other decision makers that they can have either a cantata or five weeks of evening meetings, but definitely not both in the same  time frame.
  5. Keep telling non-choir schedule makers that even when there isn't a direct time conflict, extra time obligations DO affect the choir by creating a time and energy crunch for everyone.
  6. Keep reminding your choir members that singing music is an energy infusion, not an energy drain. Regularly call their attention to how much better they feel when they leave choir rehearsal than when they arrived.
  7. Make sure choir rehearsal IS an energizer; physically, spiritually and socially uplifting. This depends on your preparation, communication, and attitude.
  8. Occasionally, you will need to put the choir on hiatus. If you want to keep the choir going, be sure to have a "re-start" date planned before the hiatus begins. Bear in mind that people who aren't practicing lose skills and will need to start over if the hiatus is too long.

You have your work cut out for you. Keep communication open; keep praying.

I'll pray for you.
Marie

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November 19, 2005
Dear Marie,
 
I am a former volunteer director of our church choir. Since the new director has started, choir membership has dropped almost to nothing. It seems to be because the new director is an ultra "highbrow"  classical  instrumentalist who is never totally happy with the choir's results. Do you think I should try to go back and help?
 
Watching from Afar

Dear Watching,
 
One of the very hardest things that exists is watching people you know and love make a mess out of something. It's even harder when you know you could help "fix" the problem, or avoid it in the first place if they asked you to help. Any help you attempt to give comes with the danger of creating a major church politics crisis. Be very careful that you don't make a bad situation worse.
 
Unfortunately, choir attendance--and to some extent, quality--tend to be directly related to how dynamic, inspirational, and popular the director is. Instrumental and orchestral  conductors are often UNpopular with their [usually paid] players (There are dozens of "the-orchestra-conductor-is-an-ogre" jokes that circulate, enough to verify the stereotype.) and rarely realize that amateur singers need to LIKE them in order to sing well--or bother to show up for rehearsals. They also tend to interpret a singer's natural limitations and lack of perfect pitch as lack of musical ability and training. They have a hard time describing the vocal effects and techniques that they want to achieve. It is difficult for an instrumentalist to make the transition to choir director, especially if they expect a choir of voices to function as an extended instrument. Singers must be inspired, persuaded and taught (not ordered) to do what the director wants.
 
It is also quite possible that your former singers are boycotting the new director as a form of loyalty to you. The biggest help is letting "your" old group know it's OK to follow new direction. If you can, be a part of the choir; sing in the group, and be supportive, but try not to diminish the new director's authority. Also, find something good to say about the new director when you're talking to other church members.  Perhaps, if you, the former director, are seen "being there", it will help the new director grow into the job.
 
Of course, the best and most effective thing you can do is pray for the choir and their new director.
 
I'll pray for you.
Marie

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 Go to:
"How to Annoy & Alienate Your Choir" compiled by Judy Shultz, Marie Adams & Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke
 "How to Alienate Your Pastor and Church" compiled by Judy Shultz, Eurydice Osterman, Marie Adams & Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke.
"How to Kill a Choir" compiled by Judy Shultz, Marie Adams,
     & Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke
 Ask Marie, Newest Page. 
 Ask Marie, Page One, through Mar., '05.
 Ask Marie, Page Two, through Aug., '05.
 Ask Marie, Page Three, through Sept., '05.
 Ask Marie, Page Four, through Nov., '05.
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