“Too often,” says Dale E. Kendall, “choir becomes a drudgery for its participants-a ninth priority on a scale of ten.”
Kendall, minister of music at First Church of the Nazarene in Bradenton, Florida, has found some ways to keep his adult choir fresh throughout the year.
He starts by “freshening” up the recruiting process.
¥ Colorful posters advertise that a new choir will form in September. The posters are creatively drawn by individuals from the congregation who have artistic abilities. Last year’s poster featured a large drawing of an empty choir loft, with a caption urging people to fill the empty seats. This year’s poster included a big, full-color rainbow with “Sing Unto the Lord” printed in bold letters. Both posters stimulated enough interest to fill the choir loft-and then some.
¥ Further advertising is done through the weekly church newsletter. He uses the newsletter space to give parishioners something to think about in terms of their involvement and commitment to the church. “Some people won’t sign up because they feel their involvement isn’t vital to the choir’s success,” Kendall says. “You have to spark their interest and convince them their gifts are needed.” He emphasized that variety-in the kind of music presented as well as in the actual choir members’ talents- makes a choir fresh and creates excitement.
¥ A final push in the Sunday school for new choir members is made just before beginning the choir’s new season. Kendall selects several enthusiastic members to go to the different classes and tell what serving in choir has meant to them. “By this time the church members have been saturated with the poster and newsletter advertising,” says Kendall. “Personal testimonials put the finishing touch on the recruitment.”
Kendall’s promotional efforts are concentrated during a one-month period every year. He calls it the “saturation month.” “Our people have come to appreciate this once-a-year promotion,” he says. “They’d rather be creatively bombarded once, instead of being bugged throughout the whole year.”
Kendall isn’t exactly sure why it happens, but periodically the self-esteem of his choir goes down. He thinks most choirs experience this, and the music and spirit suffers when it happens.
¥ To boost morale, Kendall occasionally takes his choir to neighboring churches to minister. “This gives them a chance to get a little exposure, and it forces them to prepare for ministry to a new audience.
¥ Morale can also be boosted by inviting a guest director in to work with the choir. “Working under someone new gives a refreshing perspective to the choir members’ involvement,” Kendall says. Recently he brought in a guest director who wrote and arranged his music. The choir “turned on” to the music because it was new and fresh. The lyrics took on a new perspective, which was inspirational to the whole choir. Everyone was encouraged.
¥ One of the most rewarding morale boosters that Kendall remembers was a choir retreat. One Friday evening the group took an hour’s drive to a retreat center. When they arrived, they sat down to a hot meal and enjoyed talking and laughing around the table. After the meal they had their weekly rehearsal, which was considerably freer and more fun because of the new setting. Later, they had a fun time watching Laurel and Hardy and the Three Stooges in what Kendall called “the outrageous hour.” To conclude the evening the pastor of First Nazarene shared devotionals.
Kendall adds, “The choir returned home united and revitalized. The small investment of money it cost us produced dividends for the church and fulfillment in the lives of everyone who attended the retreat.”
¥ Concerning money, Kendall claims, “There is never enough of it in our music budget.” Consequently, the choir holds an annual pancake breakfast to raise funds. “The breakfast has been a good exercise over the years,” he says. “It gives us a means by which we can raise money for special choir projects instead of putting an extra burden on the congregation.” On a Saturday morning the choir members cook, serve, and clean tables. After the proceeds are totaled, the choir decides, with great difficulty, which projects should be allocated a part of the funds.
“Keeping choir members motivated and encouraged can be a task that is tougher than you are,” Kendall adds. He uses a special card for encouraging his people. The card is small and just says “Thank you” on the outside. When it is opened, “. . . for being faithful” is printed above Kendall’s signature. He signs each card and often includes a personal note. “People respond to these cards. I recommend them to anyone who monitors the morale of a church choir,” he says.
“Choir members come in short, tall, fat, and skinny sizes. They have quiet, loud, sometimes harsh personalities and voices. But we must appreciate them as people and love them as Christ loves us,” Kendall adds.
“The adult choir can be the most exciting part of your church music program.”
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