Working With the Smaller Choir
By Lindel Anderson
Listed below are common problems often encountered with a smaller choir. Some possible solutions are given.
1. Adequate musicians are not available.
-Use Soundtrack with Split-Track
-Use MIDI player and purchase MIDI Sequences
-Sequence musical selections on a sequencer. Ensonic TS-12
– Get a music teacher to come to the church one day a week to offer lesson on bass guitar, drums, and piano.
2. Not enough voice to sound like a choir.
-Mic best singers in each section
-Use digital effects to produce a fuller sound
-Use various arranging techniques to emphasize the strengths of the choir
-Encourage choir members to take voice lessons. Get an instructor to give lessons at the church one day a week.
-Have a voice instructor from a local college hold a vocal clinic to help improve you vocalists
3. Where do you find new repertoire?
– Music Conference
– Davisong Power Pak Choral Club
– Choral Clubs (Pathway, Word, Prism, etc.)
4. There is no Music Department Funds for new music, new equipment, clinics, etc
-Fund Raisers (Silent or live auctions, Serve dinners, Singing Val-O-Grams, Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Eggs, Peanut Brittle, etc.)
-Monthly Choir Membership Fee – ($2.00 – $10.00)
5. Need more people
-Win a musician to the Lord.
-Hang around local music stores to witness and invite musicians to church.
-Encourage the youth of your church to take music classes at school.
-Have the church sponsor a talented person in music lessons.
Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”
In order to develop a music department there must first be a vision. Secondly, there must be a strategy to carry out that vision. The greatest challenge is to build a music department staff that can effectively carry out that strategy. Thus, it is imperative to produce leaders and equip them to mobilize an army of musicians and singers that can usher in the presence of God.
Purpose
-To praise and glorify Jesus Christ in every way.
-To usher in the presence of God through praise and worship. (Psalms 22:3)
-To teach others how to draw near to God. (John 12:32)
-To guide and cooperate with the congregation in musical expression.
-To join with the Pastor in making a significant and moving worship service so that God’s manifest presence is experienced.
-To develop skillful musicians and vocalists willing to use their talent for the work of the Lord. (Psalms 33:3)
-To train our children and youth to appreciate the Art of Music and equip them to participate in the Music Ministry of the church.
