How to Handle A Choir Member

[blkmusicman]

A situation has occurred in my choir.  A new choir member came up to me recently and informed me that during rehearsals back in December when I was teaching a song, a choir member told her to be quiet because she was "throwing" her off her part.  This person has just joined the choir and this happened their first rehearsal as a new choir member.  She didn't inform me until now because she is thinking about leaving the choir after being with us just for one month.  How should I handle this situation.

[sjonathan02]

A situation has occurred in my choir.  A new choir member came up to me recently and informed me that during rehearsals back in December when I was teaching a song, a choir member told her to be quiet because she was "throwing" her off her part.  This person has just joined the choir and this happened their first rehearsal as a new choir member.  She didn't inform me until now because she is thinking about leaving the choir after being with us just for one month.  How should I handle this situation.

Ask the new choir member for the old choir member's name. See if you can talk with the old choir member about the way she interacted with the new choir member.

Share with the new choir member that she shouldn't leave because of that old choir member and that she should have brought the matter to your attention sooner; that you'd hate to see her leave if the music ministry is where God has led her.

Share with her that there will tests and trials when God asks you to serve Him; but that she should be vigilant in seeking to serve Him.


I hope that helps. Be Blessed.

[LaylaMonroe]

I agree with Jonathan.

However, I would caution you to take care with how you approach the old choir member (if the new one ever gives you her name).  Don't assume that what the new choir member told you is true, or that it's the whole story.

I hope it all works out well.  Let us know how things go.

[blkmusicman]

Ask the new choir member for the old choir member's name. See if you can talk with the old choir member about the way she interacted with the new choir member.

Share with the new choir member that she shouldn't leave because of that old choir member and that she should have brought the matter to your attention sooner; that you'd hate to see her leave if the music ministry is where God has led her.

Share with her that there will tests and trials when God asks you to serve Him; but that she should be vigilant in seeking to serve Him.


I hope that helps. Be Blessed.

She did give me the choir member's name and other members of the alto section also brought this to my attention a month later.  I will take your advice.

[vtguy84]

Let us know how it goes.

[B3Wannabe]

That's intentional fratricide for you right there!

You know what happens to those people in the military?

...

[Big T.]

What happened here is not uncommon in music ministries. It also is not uncommon for the ones who start the problems not to be as talented as they think they are. Keep the new members encouraged as you maintian good relations with the old members.