I was sitting in front of the Bishop about twelve years ago, dreading what was to come…..ah!!! Ward choir director? “Ok, sure, Bishop”…..as I left his office I had all the thoughts many professional musicians think when such a calling comes; most of them less-than-ideal. I’m glad to say my poor attitude didn’t last long! What followed became one of the great church service experiences of my life.
Six years later the ward choir had 45 members, performed monthly, had recorded a commemorative Cd, boasted a string and winds orchestra performing with the choir for Christmas and Easter, and had a very large music budget.
There was a musical number in sacrament meeting every week, and all the music for ward activities, firesides and other meetings were coordinated with their appropriate themes and overseen by the ward music chairman, almost like a booking agent!
In addition, I had a number of hymns I had arranged for the choir published by national publishers.
Here are a few ideas that worked:
You’re working with the Bishop-work with him, not against him. His take on what’s appropriate is what counts, not yours. Build a relationship of trust, and over time you will be able to expand the vision of music that can bring the Spirit. Do the best work possible inside the box he gives you, and he will give you more wiggle room as he sees the positive effects of your supportive efforts. There’s nothing worse than a music chairman always trying to sneak in a brass tune or fringe song, missing the point of worship service music entirely. There are ample opportunities in other church settings for varied kinds of music performances without using sacrament meeting for that purpose. Don’t hold “the manual” over his head-he is the one to interpret it.
Only Hymns? No problem! Have you ever noticed that nearly all the music done by the Tabernacle Choir during conferences are hymn arrangements? Even when singing directly from the green hymnbook, the choir varies the verses, with men or women on the melody or in harmony, unison or four-parts. Excellent directions on how to do this are found in the back of the hymnal. The number of hymn arrangements available commercially is so vast, it would take a lifetime to sing all the good ones. If the choir only sings the hymns the same way out of the book as the congregation, there is no reason to have a choir. Even slight variation pricks the ear into listening more closely, making something all-too-familiar into something fresh. The manual also says that a ward choir is the vehicle to introduce less familiar hymns to the congregation.
Gather your resources. Some dusty closet in the ward or stake house usually has a small library of tired choir material, but sometimes gems can be found with a little effort. Better yet, there is always some church musician with a personal library of choir music that goes with them from ward to ward; this is usually good stuff. If your ward is not used to having music included in the ward budget, make a budget and turn it in. The worst they can say is no. If that happens, keep making one and turning it in every year. As you build trust, you’ll get a budget. Make it 2 times bigger than the minimum you need, and maybe you’ll get some of it. Sometimes I just bought the music myself and donated it to the ward, taking a tax deduction, until there was a budget. There is a list of inexpensive music sources at the end of this article.
Sit in different places in the chapel and see who is singing well behind you. When the meeting is over, tell that person you noticed they had a good voice, and invite them to choir. More often than not, they’ll come. Watch who conducts well, listen in Priesthood meeting for singers and players. Most people who hide their talents will come out of their shell with a little kindness. Start with musical numbers and small quartets or duets and build from there. The difference in the quality of the worship service will feed on itself, and more people will want to be involved. Don’t forget the youth. Choir should be an open invitation to all, without restrictions. Find a rehearsal time that works, even if it’s at someone’s house. When you’re home or visiting teaching, see who has a piano. It’s a sure sign!
Use a Primary talent show for children’s recital pieces rather than sacrament meeting, and firesides or activity nights for other kinds of music. Appropriate occasions can be created for every kind of performance.
Make the choir rehearsal fun, positive and productive, and never longer than an hour. I would invite guest vocalists form outside the ward to do 15 minutes of technique demonstration, or soloists to sing with the choir. The rehearsals were fast-paced and spiritually satisfying. Many participants felt they were getting the musicality and instruction they had often desired, but had not had time for. I would often use pieces that had been recorded by professional choirs, and play them during rehearsal, so it was easy to be inspired and learn the song faster, by hearing it done well. I would talk about why the music was moving, point out the cool things the composer did, and bring other elements into it so the choir could appreciate and learn to love the songs. Every rehearsal was in preparation for a specific date of performance, not some nebulous generality, and we always took summers off for renewal. We filled those months with small groups, individual music numbers and youth choirs.
Find your big guns, and maximize their contribution. Every ward has a person or two who has been ward organist for a hundred years. These people are your biggest allies, because they love music enough to serve all the time till it hurts. Rally their support and use them for developing the beginnings of your music program. As you create a level of enthusiasm they will help you spread it.
Get a choir president called. This person will consistently remind people of rehearsals and performances, so the conductor can focus on productive rehearsals and recruiting.
Get the Leadership enthused. Most bishoprics are too busy to be in the choir, but you can ask them for their favorite hymn, or pay special attention to their tastes, and they will become fans. The bishop of my present ward has asked that we only sing hymns HE knows. What better way to get his support than to take that and run with it, instead of whining about it! Have the bishop narrate the Christmas program, or find another way to easily involve them with a minimum time commitment.
Unify the Entire Ward Music Staff. The ward music staff potentially includes the ward music chairman, the choir director, the choir president, section leaders, Primary and Relief Society music leaders, ward Activities committee music specialist, YM and YW music leaders, and all the pianists for every auxiliary. This group of musicians alone is enough to start taking things to a new level. Auxiliary pianists often feel under appreciated and uninvolved, and are willing to give more when they are recognized for their good work.
Have a great Christmas and Easter Program Every Year. If I had only these two dates to work toward with a choir, it would be enough to build an effective ward tradition. If you have only a little money for music, spend it here. You’ll get the biggest bang for the buck on these occasions.
Your goal is to bring the Spirit. Maybe it sounds silly, but if you watch the audience when the music is performed, you can see how effective you are. Count the compliments you get after the meeting. Watch for the telltale tear, the moistened eye. Do you have their attention while sharing the music? You want to reach people, to move them; to be a vehicle for the Spirit to come and heal them. People in this church are usually generous with their feedback when asked for it. Use it to your advantage. Reach your audience; make a difference.
