For Choir Directors Only?

I'm a Music Director in a small church in Bucks County. Choir members are constantly arriving late for Thursday rehearsals and Sunday Morning warm-ups/rehearsals - some don't make it until the service begins. One person who can't read music and has a horrible ear almost never shows up for rehearsals and is ruinning the anthems - sings too loud, wrong notes, etc... Also, some people or should I say most people don't know how to use a telephone. Last night we had 2 people at rehearsal - of course they were the "Cream of the Crop".

If you're not a Choir Director, don't waste my time with stupid answers, if you are...what would you do?

I'm not a choir director but I do sing with a couple choirs. Our church choir director has a pretty strict policy, if you don't come to rehearsal, you can't sing on Sunday. And we all had to do an audition before we were accepted to the choir. She would not have accepted the person with the horrible ear, but she doesn't make note reading a requirement. Some people can 'sort of read' but need to hear it a few times to get it in their head.

Also, she tends to plan a set of music several weeks in advance so we rehearse the different music many times. If for some reason you had to miss one rehearsal along the way, you would still be okay.

Also, she has set the expectation (and it is only common courtesy) that if we can't come that we notify her in advance, usually the week before at the end of the rehearsal. She also has a vacation planner (calendar) for those that need to miss an extended period of time.

I'm not sure of the structure of your choir, but perhaps it is just time to talk about your concerns and have the choir voice their thoughts. We all want to have great sounding music on Sunday, so they might be open to some additional structure to ensure that happens. And definitely practice music for more than just the Sunday before.

My thoughts anyway...

who is man to say anyone does not sing well enough for the Lord? where did man get the power to limit who sings and who does not sing praises to the Lord. we as Christians are to love and encourage each other , not to say ones ability is better in serving The Lord then another. Report It

Who is to say? How about a BA in Music. Report It

Wow in your eyes it is all about you , isn't it. Report It

Jesus said, Be Ye PERFECT as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

Also, if you can't do it right, don't bother doing it at all.

What if I decided that I'm going play the Hymns totally wrong? Report It

is prayer the forefront of your pratice if so then pray for the ones that are late

Threaten to burn them down or drown them or put a plague on them. That is how God deals with people who are imperfect like that.

say that rehersels are half an hour earlier,if that doesnt work, than just say you guys arent being serious about this so im not even gonna waste my time on u

No, I am not a choir director, but was, however, a member of a few choirs over my years. Obviously, the thing to remember is that your choir are supposed to be doing this for the glory of the Lord. And, as a church choir what does it matter that one of the blokes can't sing worth beans? The "trick" to that is to place him in between a couple of your "cream of the crop" talents. Usually, a bad ear for music doesn't mean that you can't follow the lead and this has always helped our choir, i.e., to intersperse the talents with the others. I think the best thing is to not ruminate about it, but rather start rewarding the regulars. Do what you think is right, but give them some props for being there through thick and thin. Prayer works wonders my friend, it changes attitudes, people, everything! You and your choir are in my prayers =) And I will sing a few more hallelujahs a bit more joyfully this week, I think! Blessings =)

I'm afraid the person who can't read music and has a horrible ear problem may not be something you can do anything about unless you either hurt the persons feelings or find a way to train them to suit your needs.

As far as those who are late or fail to show up I would start by discussing the issue with your entire choir membership. Find out what the barriers are to making the practices and warm-ups and work together to find a solution. If they feel like they are involved then you will meet with far less resistance if you need to be stern on something.

One last thing I might offer on the person who can't sing well. If you don't want to hurt their feelings and training them isn't practical you may consider finding a way for them to participate in a non-singing role. Maybe a spoken scripture part way through a song or something? I do believe though with proper training anybody can sing somewhat decent.

Best of luck.

stomp you feet and tell them that if they can't please you ,then they have no right to sing to the Lord. or pray to our Father in Heaven and thank Him for the People that do show up and the ones that do sing ( to the Lord and not for you ) even if they sound like a sick camel. where in the Bible does it say that someone has to sing like a pro. to sing at church ?

Peace,

I hope this helps you: At our church we always pray to prepare the choir for singing. Our congregation is small right now, so the choir is usually only four adults and four or five kids. We always emphasize that we're there to sing for the Lord; even if no one in the building "catches a fire," we have to praise in a way that's pleasing to Him. The Book of Psalms has excellent examples of how true praise should look, sound -- even feel!

In your case a solution may mean sitting folks down who don't attend or arrive on time for choir rehearsals....I would encourage you to pray for wisdom and discernment as to what steps you should take next. It's difficult at times to get a group of personalities on one accord, but with God all things are possible!!

Peace & blessings....

"God is not a God of disorder but of peace...everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way"

1 Corinthians 14:33, 40