Aug 01 2011

Should a Director Sing with Their Choir? Posted 290 days ago ago by Bob Burroughs     14 Comments

...or NOT?

Quote

“The most perfect technique is--one that is not noticed at all.” Pablo Casals

Scripture

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”  Colossians 3:15-17

Prayer

Great God, who gave us music to fill our lives, who dwells in our being and teaches us great truths through song, today, I pray for all those men and women who truly love to make music by singing in a choir, playing in an instrumental group, or conducting groups--large or small. What a privilege and honor to be involved in making music for You to hear. We, among all peoples, are blessed. Help us to be careful to prepare and present our best sacrifices of musical praise, no matter what genre. Instill in us who lead great wisdom in preparation and performance, and to be careful to always give You praise and glory for all we do. I pray this n the strong name of the One who loved music so much that He sang a hymn before He went out following the Last Supper, Jesus. Amen, and Amen.

What Think Ye?

SHOULD YOU…OR SHOULD YOU NOT?

I know how it started with me! I served as part-time choir director at a very small church in the Asheville, NC area when I was a second year student at Mars Hill College in the mid-50s. The choir was small, as you might suspect, and there was only one tenor. The bass section was anchored by two MHC friends who enjoyed the hospitality of this wonderful church, as well as the food they had over the weekends! There were a good and faithful number of sopranos and altos.

So, on a given Wednesday night or Sunday morning when the one tenor was not present, I felt I had to sing tenor, as well as conduct, give cues, listen for incorrect notes and check balance--which, of course is next to impossible. Singing with the choir became a staple for me for a number of years--till I realized:

• I wasn't helping the choir - only hindering them by singing along and not paying attention to the myriad of things for which a conductor is responsible.


• No one every told me that singing with the choir limited my abilities as a conductor.


• I figured…everyone else did it, didn't they?

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

Here is some "food for thought" on this subject:

It is physically impossible...for a conductor to hear the choir...if he/she sings along with them...no matter how good a voice he/she has! It just can't be done. The "sound box" is the head...resonates with the sounds from the conductor's voice…blocking out other sounds! There is no way then, a conductor can really know how the choir sounds...or what vocal parts are being missed…if the conductor chooses to sing along with the choir on a regular basis.

Good blend? Forgetaboutit! Balance of parts? Forgetaboutit! It just won't happen with a "singing conductor."

Some conductors have the notion that if they sing very LOUD, then that will encourage the choir (and congregation) to sing with more volume and power. This is especially not-so-good thinking if the conductor has a mic! I've visited a few rehearsals where the choir room sound system is at peak because the conductor is singing along at full vocal volume...oblivious to notes being obviously missed...but obliviously enjoying hearing himself sing!

And…this is an interesting side fact: I've noticed that sometimes the singers (and congregation) quit singing because they can't hear anything but the leader. I was recently in a session where the leader was singing so loud with his "golden mic" that I gave up singing and began observing other singers. Many had quite singing because there was no reason to continue. Whatever sounds they were making were lost in the "glory" of the leader's voice.

I seriously doubt that the conductor is aware that many choir members and the congregation are just not singing because of the volume from the leader's mic. It is as if he/she is enjoying the glory and majesty of his voice (with closed or uplifted eyes), oblivious to those he/she is leading!

And...to be perfectly honest, if there was a choice, the choir members would choose for the conductor NOT to sing...and to spend his/her time helping them to become better musicians, singers, and blenders. If you don't think this is true, ask the choir! Send round a questionnaire with this question: "Am I helping you when I sing with the choir?" You will be amazed at the response!

A conductor should not sing with his/her choir. A conductor should listen carefully and work out problems that are missed while trying to conduct and sing a solo concert at the same time

What think ye

Leadership

Sometimes, leaders can get so "professionally minded" that they lose sight of the elemental basics of life and faith. In His book, In the Eye of the Storm, Max Lucado offers the following simple and yet profound suggestions for leaders who would like to blossom and flourish:

• Sometimes, make major decisions in an unusual place--away from the office


• Love God more than you fear Hell


• Pray twice as much as you worry


• Once a week, let one of your children take you for a walk


• When no one is watching, live as if someone is


• Only harbor a grudge when God does


• Never outgrow your love of sunsets


• When you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart


• The book of life is lived in chapters, so be sure to know your page number


• Treat people like angels. You'll meet some--and help make some

This Idea Will Work

 

Successful Recruiting

If a new prospect were to walk into your choir or ensemble room, think on these things:

• would they be welcomed immediately...


• by someone who would take them "under their wing"...


• and after finding out their name and voice part...


• introduce them to others in that vocal section...


• who would get them the evening's music packet or copies of the music...


• answer the questions that might came up...


• and most of all, make them feel comfortable in the rehearsal setting?

If the answer was "no" to any one of these statements, you might understand why your choir or instrumental program isn't growing! A choir or instrumental group can become a "closed community" unless you work hard at keeping the the people aware of new people and how to make them feel comfortable. This is "key" to successful recruiting. Believe it.

Taken from the book: This Idea Will Work! 136 Ways to Revitalize Your Music Ministry Lorenz #30/1794L / $12.50

Humor

What ??

A new Conductor was to have his first rehearsal with the symphony orchestra. He was thinking before hand that it might not go well. He was as wary of the musicians as they were of him. As he entered the rehearsal room, the timpanist, on purpose. sounded a loud "bong--dede-bing-bong." This angered the Conductor to be treated in this fashion. So he turned and said: "All right! Who did that?"

To read more of this week's MME, including new music reviews, please look to the right.

 © 2011 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved

• Vicki Carr 289 days ago
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  Vern - I LOVE "River in Judea"! You can't KEEP from singing along!
  
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  • Vern Sanders 289 days ago
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    I figure John bought at least one car with his royalties on that tune... vs
    
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• Richard Huggins 289 days ago
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  Amen, Bob--amen!! I believe the MoM is covering up deficiencies in either numbers, talent or preparation. The latter is the MoM's fault, of course. Singing with the choir makes him feel better about himself. But at what price? A choir who NEVER will experience the "Joy of Blending" let's call it. He is cheating his choir, in my view. But I know it must be a seductive, addictive habit--so many do it. No excuses, though! And speaking as an accompanist, let me say it drives me bonkers! THANK YOU for writing about this very important topic!
  
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  • Burroughs 289 days ago
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    Richard! May your tribe increase! If we could just convince these Ministers of Music and Choral Directors that they would be better more professional conductors if they paid attention to their conducting and less about singing the Tenor or Bass part!! Your important comment is valued!
    
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• Nancy Jo Doughty 289 days ago
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  As a choir member I must agree with the article. I don't appreciate it when the director sings with the choir. All of the points raised in the article are true. I would add that when the director singing a particular part it is very distracting for the other parts. I can understand sing a particular note to part of the choir when the director knows that the singers are lost, or really off pitch, but no singing along with the whole piece please. it can also be discouraging to the choir members. They are doing their best, then the director starts singing along and I think many of us lose their confidence. It can also lead you to lose your way in th piece.
  
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  • Bob Burroughs 289 days ago
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    You are right on in your comments, Nancy Jo. May your tribe increase!!
    
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• Bob Burroughs 289 days ago
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  Dave! Thanks for the comment. Mouthing should only be used, in my opinion, with the choir is singing from memory. Otherwise, the group has the words and music in front of them and mouthing becomes not worth the energy. What say you?
  
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• Donald Given 289 days ago
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  Depends on the choir. For many years I led a small choir in which people were unsure of their part and when to come in (especially the men), in spite of very clear direction. If they heard sound they would join it and sing with power. If you didn't sing with them they sounded unsure and weak because of no vocal leadership in the sections. Often if you don't sing, you are robbing the choir of the clearest, most confident singer they have. And if you only have one tenor who is lost, how does it help the choir blend for you to leave him on his own? What's more important, having all the parts or singing proper King's English vowels? Personally, I'd rather all the parts be there. I have heard these comments for years and I just don't agree with them. If you are fortunate enough to have vocal leadership in the sections, then, OK, you shouldn't sing. Also, in the other comment about "you can't hear the other singers," well, I'm sorry, but that's just wrong. I heard my singers fine and knew when they were singing wrong notes and unfocused vowels. If that were true, one would not be able to sing in an ensemble because they couldn't hear the other singers. It is more difficult, but not impossible.
  
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  • Bob Burroughsq 282 days ago
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    Donald: For the most part, you are dead on, Sir! I've been in small churches and I was the ONLY tenor or ONLY bass and I had to sing. But, to make this a practice robs the conductor of being able to mold the sound and achieve better balance.The human head is a remarkable piece of sound equipment and is resonates well - and if the conductor is singing, he is filling that piece of sound equipment in his head with his own voice and one can't conduct, be aware of problems that can be solved, and be singing at the same time. What say you, Sir?
    
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  • Eileen Sharp 282 days ago
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    Amen. I agree with your comments Donald but reading the other side will cause me to evaluate if my singing along, as I find myself doing, a lot, has a true purpose, or if I'm just doing something I can't stop because I'm passionate about it.
    
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    • Bob Burroughs 282 days ago
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      Eileen: I would seriously evaluate your singing along with the choir. Conductors sometimes get so caught up in the music they begin singing along! Not good, if you can help it.
      
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  • Burroughs 289 days ago
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    Good thoughts, Donald. You are right on target!
    
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• Dave Leestma 289 days ago
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  Bob, I fully agree, but still mouthing some words.. Congrats on "Creator's" new look! Like it alot! With appreciation, Dave - It's HOT in Houston!
  
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  • Vern Sanders 289 days ago
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    I must confess that I caught myself singing along with the choir on River in Judea yesterday...but since I was at the keyboard it really didn't matter, and it was more of an Oscar Peterson thing... Dave- you should come to the central coast where it is 70 degress with a little breeze off the ocean...
    
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