Music Directors: 4 Things a Good Song Leader Knows
By: Josh Griffin

Platform presence isn’t natural – some people are so good at it you might think so, but it is enormous work and countless hours of practice fools you into thinking either you have it or you don’t. Sure, some people’s gifting makes it easier than others, but it is work for everyone. After a service recently I talked through some principles of basic good platform presence and this is what we came up with:

WE CAN’T HEAR YOU

Be sure you hold the microphone up to your mouth people that aren’t used to the platform tend to make the common mistake of holding the microphone away from their mouth. Make sure the microphone is right up near your mouth; rest it on your chin if you have to. If your hands are filled with stuff, that stuff will temp you to move the microphone around too much. Either memorize what is on the note card or put it on a music stand in front of you.

WE CAN’T HEAR THEM

When you ask someone on platform a question, remember to hold the microphone up to their mouth, too. Typically by this point in the service, even a rookie song leader has figured out they need to hold the mic up to their own mouth, but too often forget to help the crowd hear the other person on platform, too.

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THERE TO DO

Someone has trusted you with that portion of the service – and remember that everything is the message, not just the message so what you’re doing is very important. You now control the room – you are there to build energy in the room and excitement toward the next element, you’re there to bring the crowd down to what’s next, or you’re introducing something. Either way, you’re not the star of the show, you are driving the vehicle with passengers are what people want to see. Know what you’re there to do and get off platform!

KNOW YOUR ENTRANCE AND EXIT

If you’ve got an opening line/thought/humor it will really help get you started on the right foot. Equally important, a great run on platform ends with a fizzle if you’re not sure how to end it all. If you’re throwing to video – sell it. If you’re introducing a person, make the transition obvious. However you come in or leave the platform – make sure you have a plan.

From: www.churchcentral.com June 2009

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