How do you open up choir rehearsal? Help!

[on1accord78]

I have been having a problem getting my choir members to really get focused. Right now, the choir is only about 13 people, about half of them young people 12-16. I always open with prayer, but I vary in what else goes after that. Sometimes a worship session, but the young people to me don't take it seriously enough and it ends up bothering me more than it helps, to be honest. Sometimes we do a scripture and talk about it. I really want to do more scriptural teaching. The issue is that out of 13-14 people, I only have about 4 who are actually spiritually minded. Mostly everybody is kinda dead and just stand there. I am pretty energetic so this really frustrates me. What can I do that would honor God while at the same time make everybody kinda wake up and be excited about singing from the moment we start rehearsal?

[sjonathan02]

Prayer, then we get right to it. On the mics and start singing. Now, if I'm you, I may cut the 'dead' weight and just have a praise team.


I'm dead serious.

[momuzik]

Prayer, then we get right to it. On the mics and start singing...

I do the same. Talking about scripture is fine but they can get that at bible study or sunday school. You only have a limited amount of time for rehearsal.

During rehearsal, the worship will sometimes come as we sing.

As far as the kids acting up, you may have to pull them aside one at a time and tell them about your concerns.

Most of our singers are right at 30, and some still want to cut up but I just keep the rehearsal moving. They'll eventually shut up and get with it.

[sjonathan02]

I do the same. Talking about scripture is fine but they can get that at bible study or sunday school. You only have a limited amount of time for rehearsal.

During rehearsal, the worship will sometimes come as we sing.

As far as the kids acting up, you may have to pull them aside one at a time and tell them about your concerns.

Most of out singers are right at 30, and some still want to cut up but I just keep the rehearsal moving. They'll eventually shut up and get with it.

All of our members of the PT are over 30.......and they STILL wanna cut up. But, my FL and I KIM and they, usually, get with it. 

You know, I'm not a big fan of allowing children to minister UNLESS they show a discipline, as well as, an interest in it.

I can hear all the child advocates now.  How 'bout we save all that drama and agree to disagree, 'k. Please and thank you. 

We, recently, cut our Youth Sunday "Praise Team" because their hearts just simply weren't in it. And that just makes for drudgery for EVERYONE and God's not pleased, IMHO.

[uchi]

Well I feel your pain!

I just got into the position myself to lead a choir/ praise team right now and sometime it was like, everybody is doing something but rehearsing. Combing the children's hair, talking and stuff.

I had a meeting with them abou my concerns and asked them why they wanted to sing. I also told them that i can't do this by myself, but if God put me in that position, I'm gonna do my part.
About the scripture reading, I think it's a good idea...But... Do it in a way to encourage and teach those who don't know yet why they are in a choir/ praise team. The importance of praise and worship but most importantly the imporance to have the right heart. Keep it short ad then go into the rehearsal. Too much talking is not good either!..

Be encouraged!
Uchi

[on1accord78]

All of our members of the PT are over 30.......and they STILL wanna cut up. But, my FL and I KIM and they, usually, get with it. 

You know, I'm not a big fan of allowing children to minister UNLESS they show a discipline, as well as, an interest in it.

I can hear all the child advocates now.  How 'bout we save all that drama and agree to disagree, 'k. Please and thank you. 

We, recently, cut our Youth Sunday "Praise Team" because their hearts just simply weren't in it. And that just makes for drudgery for EVERYONE and God's not pleased, IMHO.

As for the thing with the kids, it's like basically, we NEED them, and they are the best singers in the choir. You have to be over 12, so these aren't little kids. They are teenagers. They can sing tho. I guess I can just stick to praying and singing and let the worship come naturally. The teaching is really what my Pastor wants, but I agree that it's hard to teach those who don't wanna be taught. Sometimes when we do the opening worship song, the anointing does come in and we have a great rehearsal after that. I'll just continue to suck it up until I get more enthusiastic singers.

[on1accord78]

Well I feel your pain!

I just got into the position myself to lead a choir/ praise team right now and sometime it was like, everybody is doing something but rehearsing. Combing the children's hair, talking and stuff.

I had a meeting with them abou my concerns and asked them why they wanted to sing. I also told them that i can't do this by myself, but if God put me in that position, I'm gonna do my part.
About the scripture reading, I think it's a good idea...But... Do it in a way to encourage and teach those who don't know yet why they are in a choir/ praise team. The importance of praise and worship but most importantly the imporance to have the right heart. Keep it short ad then go into the rehearsal. Too much talking is not good either!..

Be encouraged!
Uchi

This is pretty much what I go for. I don't do it all the time, maybe once a month. I have also gone down the line to ask why they sing, and everybody gives me the textbook answers  ...It's funny that I posted this earlier and then I got a call from my Pastor saying he was truly pleased with how much the choir has improved since I took over last summer and wanted us to do 1 additional selection every Sunday. He said that everybody seems to enjoy singing so much...I was like wow! He sees what I don't, so I guess I may be just reading too much into it.

[sjonathan02]

This is pretty much what I go for. I don't do it all the time, maybe once a month. I have also gone down the line to ask why they sing, and everybody gives me the textbook answers  ...It's funny that I posted this earlier and then I got a call from my Pastor saying he was truly pleased with how much the choir has improved since I took over last summer and wanted us to do 1 additional selection every Sunday. He said that everybody seems to enjoy singing so much...I was like wow! He sees what I don't, so I guess I may be just reading too much into it.

If you're pastor is pleased, then it can't be all bad.

With teens, you have to show them (I call this the 'show me' generation). Most of the time, they aren't going to really listen until something happens (or doesn't happen depending on the desired outcome).

For example, tell a teen, 'don't touch that' (or, some variation, for whatever reason). They touch it anyway. Now, you have your teachable moment to explain why you said 'don't touch that'.

[giftedone88]

Maybe after your do prayer, get a warm up song that the choir likes and stick to that every rehearsal. We do prayer and then a warm up with all choirs. I just recently, like 2 weeks ago was appointed to take over our Music Department b/c the M.O.M. quit due to personal reasons.  Anyway, I know everyone at the church b/c i have been going there off and on since i was little. Anyway, I already noticed that while most of the people are serious, there always will be a few you have to remind of why they are there. Sometimes that included adults for some reason...lol

More importantly have a standard set for rehearsals. Just don't tolerate those not wanting to cooperate as a group. IF your pastor says you guys are doing good, then you must be doing something right, but keep it at or above that level, don't back track. Still people they still must realize they came to rehearsal and offer praises to God even through rehearsal. I am a firm believer that your cannot praise God without some type of  action. God didn't die for us to be the living dead. lol

Nevertheless, a warm up song may due. Any ice-breaker will work for most choirs.

[betnich]

Good input - from the posts I read, have prayer + Scripture, but not too long, and related to praise and worship.

A related question....does anyone have a policy about other people being in the room during music rehearsals? The reason I ask is that things seem to go smoother if it's just the group...

[giftedone88]

Good input - from the posts I read, have prayer + Scripture, but not too long, and related to praise and worship.

A related question....does anyone have a policy about other people being in the room during music rehearsals? The reason I ask is that things seem to go smoother if it's just the group...

When you say other people, do you mean the ones who watch but want to give their input? No. But if they can keep their mouth shut and comments to themselves, its fine.

[on1accord78]

Maybe after your do prayer, get a warm up song that the choir likes and stick to that every rehearsal. We do prayer and then a warm up with all choirs. I just recently, like 2 weeks ago was appointed to take over our Music Department b/c the M.O.M. quit due to personal reasons.  Anyway, I know everyone at the church b/c i have been going there off and on since i was little. Anyway, I already noticed that while most of the people are serious, there always will be a few you have to remind of why they are there. Sometimes that included adults for some reason...lol

More importantly have a standard set for rehearsals. Just don't tolerate those not wanting to cooperate as a group. IF your pastor says you guys are doing good, then you must be doing something right, but keep it at or above that level, don't back track. Still people they still must realize they came to rehearsal and offer praises to God even through rehearsal. I am a firm believer that your cannot praise God without some type of  action. God didn't die for us to be the living dead. lol

Nevertheless, a warm up song may due. Any ice-breaker will work for most choirs.

Yes, we always warm up with something. The warm up last night was with a song they weren't good at singing, so it kinda took the worship out of it a little, but it did motivate them to start learning right away. After that they were pretty focused, so maybe if we move away from the familiar every now and then (not too often), that helps them to focus. We had a pretty good rehearsal last night as far as the singers. The musicians weren't quite all together, but other than that, it went pretty good.

[betnich]

When you say other people, do you mean the ones who watch but want to give their input? No. But if they can keep their mouth shut and comments to themselves, its fine.

That's how I feel - but different ministries have different policies...

[on1accord78]

Good input - from the posts I read, have prayer + Scripture, but not too long, and related to praise and worship.

A related question....does anyone have a policy about other people being in the room during music rehearsals? The reason I ask is that things seem to go smoother if it's just the group...

Other than the occasional musician's wife, I don't really have that problem too much. I used to have a guy that came and sat in every Thursday just to watch, and one day, he came on up and asked if he could join, so you never know. You may have some potential new members out there, but if it's a distraction, you could always ask them to leave. Personally, I wouldn't, because they may be there because listening to the choir is helping them in some way.

On the other hand, I had this super-judgemental guy who was sitting in rehearsals like he was evaluating me or something. It made me really nervous at first, but then I realized, I don't care what he thinks, I am doing this for God and Him alone. Be sure to check your own confidence to be sure that's not the reason you don't want them there. I say this because I found that was my reason. If they are doing stuff like talking and interrupting, you SHOULD ask them to excuse themselves, though.

[Ramar]

Ha.. I'm sure there's plenty of flirting and joking going on, and you know probably half the kids are there cuz they momma made them go...

I might be wrong but i'm assuming that they are cutting up because they don't wanna be there...

Why don't you ask them about how there day was? get to know them better on a personal level, and don't be so "spiritually deep" that they can't get with you... They don't want scriptures crammed down their throats... Find time to talk to them about relationships, school, and the things that matter to them...

Trust me, if they find you to be a cool person they'll want to come back.

And if you catch any flirting or dirty talking, call it out on the spot... they'll get embarrassed and stop.

[betnich]

On the other hand, I had this super-judgemental guy who was sitting in rehearsals like he was evaluating me or something. It made me really nervous at first, but then I realized, I don't care what he thinks, I am doing this for God and Him alone. Be sure to check your own confidence to be sure that's not the reason you don't want them there. I say this because I found that was my reason. If they are doing stuff like talking and interrupting, you SHOULD ask them to excuse themselves, though.

Yeah, I have had my share of the 'super-judgementals'. Wanted to ignore them, but if they're politically connected in the church it was to my peril. But sometimes there's talkers (who continue gabbing even after you turn and shush them) or the wannabe who will never make it to Praise Team - have to try to encourage them to get into the ministry of Helps or something.

     I have found that there's less interruptions and sidetracking if you keep the rehearsals fast-paced and interesting...keeps people focused on the task at hand.

[LaylaMonroe]

I haven't read the whole thread, so forgive me if I'm redundant.  I did read the first few, and Jonathan, I totally agree with you on the kids in ministry piece.

Anyway, O1A78, my personal belief is that rehearsal isn't the place for teaching and prayer service and Bible Study and all that extra stuff.  Personally, I hate rehearsals like that, but that COULD BE because I have a very short attention span.  I strongly believe that teaching should be done at Bible Study, or if the director (or membership majority) feels strongly that there should be study, you should add it at the first half hour and not make it a part of rehearsal.  But of course, that's just my opinion.

Since you take this whole thing so seriously (which is great), I would suggest that after the prayer, you go into a worship/warm-up song.  And instead of monitoring them, go into worship for yourself.  Close your eyes, and get lost in worship.  It may take a while, but I really believe that after a while, the right song will hit them on the right day at the right time, and they'll start to feel something.  If nothing else, they'll come to see that time as worship time, not play time.  People will begin to catch on after a while.  And you'll be a lot less frustrated if you're not watching them waiting for them to join in.

Another alternative is to determine that the choir is for worshippers and praisers only, and if they can't demonstrate that worship and praise to God while singing for His glory, then the choir isn't for them... kinda like what Jonathan said: cut the dead weight.  So what if they can sing?  I'd rather have true worshippers than a bunch of melodic parrots, personally.

[jameslawrence]

I have been having a problem getting my choir members to really get focused. Right now, the choir is only about 13 people, about half of them young people 12-16. I always open with prayer, but I vary in what else goes after that. Sometimes a worship session, but the young people to me don't take it seriously enough and it ends up bothering me more than it helps, to be honest. Sometimes we do a scripture and talk about it. I really want to do more scriptural teaching. The issue is that out of 13-14 people, I only have about 4 who are actually spiritually minded. Mostly everybody is kinda dead and just stand there. I am pretty energetic so this really frustrates me. What can I do that would honor God while at the same time make everybody kinda wake up and be excited about singing from the moment we start rehearsal?