LearnGospelMusic.com Community

Main => Ministry, M.O.M, Praise Teams and Choirs => Topic started by: 4hisglory on March 29, 2006, 07:49:15 AM

Title: Showing up on time
Post by: 4hisglory on March 29, 2006, 07:49:15 AM
anyone have chior practice and the members show up on time???
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: sjonathan02 on March 29, 2006, 10:05:20 AM
anyone have chior practice and the members show up on time???



that's like being a kid and seeing Santa's reindeer. Just not gonna happen.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: bishopcole on March 29, 2006, 12:20:54 PM


that's like being a kid and seeing Santa's reindeer. Just not gonna happen.

AMEN BROTHER, AAAAAAAAMEN!!!!!!  Bishop Cole
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: theunit on March 29, 2006, 03:25:54 PM
VERY SELDOM DO THEY SHOW UP ON TIME,,,HOWEVER THERE ARE THING YOU CAN DO TO HELP THEM OUT....I REALLY BELIEVR ITS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP..AND HOW TO BUILD THEM...BUILD BETTER RELATIONSHIPS...AND BUILD A BETTER CHOIR
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: johncomo on March 30, 2006, 06:49:35 PM
I could tell you how we do it. It came to past that it will never happen and the same members that are always "notoriously" late is always asking why choir pratice never starts "on time". Well, I addressed the choir and told the complainers or haters, if you will, knowing that the cure have not been found as of this writing, for them to plan every week to be to practice from 7:30 to 9:00. Practice will be between that time frame. If songs are on a deadline for a certain date or service, just be ready for "sudden death". For you non-sportsfans that means Overtime....Of coarse we see ourselves in "Sudden Death" many a times including tonight after I finish this writing. they will creep in at 8 and we will roll til 10 period. Practice...coming in late to serve an "On Time God"....go figure.

johncomo
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: vtguy84 on April 09, 2006, 07:46:25 AM
When choir members start showing up on time for rehearsal, Jesus will be around the corner to send us up to Glory!

I am a 22 year old choir director and this is my 8th choir that I've worked with in my lifetime.  From the 5 year old kids to the 60 year old senior, it just will not happen.  My thing that I always have to remember that this is God's ministry, not mine.  If it were my ministry, people would get sat down for not showing up on time.  You also have to remember that most of the time you are dealing with working people, or students, who may have classes or have just gotten off of work, so people get upset, but it's ok.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: mr_c32005 on May 03, 2006, 11:22:01 PM
.  You also have to remember that most of the time you are dealing with working people, or students, who may have classes or have just gotten off of work, so people get upset, but it's ok.

I agree with what you said, But every choir member has to work until 7. You have some that get off at 3 4 and 5. They should be on time... And what get me the ones that live less than 3 min away from the church are late too..
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: atwell92 on May 17, 2006, 06:03:03 PM
This has nothing to do with the choir memebers but the director. It was the youth choir singing and a youth got up since she was not there and directed the choir he was doing a good job, then here she comes walking through the side door walking through the altar into the pulpit and into the directors station stands beside the young man and stops the choir. She whispers something in his ear and he goes back to his spot in the choir. Now is that rude or what!

Be Blessed,

RAD


Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: TheClef on May 18, 2006, 12:32:14 AM
My philosophy is to be consistent myself. I make all choirs I work with aware that we will start promptly at a certain time. Every rehearsal, I start at that time, with one person or fifty. What a member misses, is what they miss, and the rhythm of my rehearsals is usually fast enough that members want to get in at the beginning to avoid missing things.

Also, I suggest a live start to rehearsals. I've learned, from trial and error, that if you start slow and work up to a fast, get-things-done pace, people will show up late (there's no reason to be there if the director is warming up his/her directing muscles for the first 15 minutes).

Of course, there are exceptions to the rules, but I preach CONSISTENCY on this subject.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: Loopy on May 18, 2006, 11:38:55 PM
My philosophy is to be consistent myself. I make all choirs I work with aware that we will start promptly at a certain time.

I agree with this philosophy. At our church, we pretty much start everything on time, from services to rehearsals, and when people realize that they are not being waited around for, they'll start being on time! You HAVE to be consistent, though.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: sjonathan02 on May 19, 2006, 11:44:07 AM
I agree with this philosophy. At our church, we pretty much start everything on time, from services to rehearsals, and when people realize that they are not being waited around for, they'll start being on time! You HAVE to be consistent, though.



And to add to that, you don't go back over the parts; they have to catch up. It's what I used to do, and it worked (or at least folks starting calling and letting me know that they weren't going to be at rehearsal and we'd work out something).


But, consistency is the key.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: praizeHim on May 20, 2006, 12:31:23 PM
My philosophy is to be consistent myself. I make all choirs I work with aware that we will start promptly at a certain time. Every rehearsal, I start at that time, with one person or fifty. What a member misses, is what they miss, and the rhythm of my rehearsals is usually fast enough that members want to get in at the beginning to avoid missing things.

Also, I suggest a live start to rehearsals. I've learned, from trial and error, that if you start slow and work up to a fast, get-things-done pace, people will show up late (there's no reason to be there if the director is warming up his/her directing muscles for the first 15 minutes).

Of course, there are exceptions to the rules, but I preach CONSISTENCY on this subject.

Praize God for setting a standard.   Most people in choirs, although highly talented, lack the discipline to insure a quality rehearsal.   :-[

Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: SisterT on May 20, 2006, 12:57:20 PM
anyone have chior practice and the members show up on time???

I never had this problem with my choir. They always showed up on time.

When I frist took over the choir, I started on time....if no one was there within the first 5 minutes of rehearsal, I went home. I never waited on anyone. I believe when people see you are seriouse about certain things, they will get serious too.

We practiced on Wednesdays after Bible Study. One of the requirements of being in the choir was you had to attend a Bible Study. My rehearsals were at a convenient time. Those who couldn't make the rehearsal, were those who could not be a part of the music ministry. Come on...I don't go to certain church ministry meetings because it is not at a convenient time, although I would love to be a part of it. I figure it is not my time to be a part of that ministry.

Once, and I do mean ONCE, the entire choir was late for Sunday service...that is all except one person. One by one, when they got there, I told them not to get in the choir stand but sit in the congregation. I let the person who was there on time sing a solo. That was the last time I had that problem.

I believe in teaching people...and I always brought the Word to them and what God expects---Excellence in Ministry. Now, my choir had it's flaw, but timeliness was not an issue.

Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: vtguy84 on May 20, 2006, 01:16:58 PM
I never had this problem with my choir. They always showed up on time.

They're scared of you....that's why.  I would leave my house an hour early just to stay away from your wrath...
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: TheClef on May 20, 2006, 03:26:09 PM
Agreed...they're just scared. the rest of us aren't that lucky DivaT lol
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: praizeHim on May 20, 2006, 07:58:07 PM
Giving the props up to Sis T for what she does

But this is not about a personality, or being askeerd of the MOM or whoever is in charge... It ain't about them

If you fear a person over the fear and admonition of  reverencing  a Most Holy God, (and I know what yall was saying) 

You ain't got it yet!

It's ALL ABOUT the person of God! 

If you're not reflecting that image or making a stand on what will and what won't be tolerated!  Mess shall continue!

God has called me to be a leader -- Not a follower; A soaring Eagle and not a flocking bird  so--

I could care less about what a person thinks of me when I hold up a standard for God.

 I don't clique, and don't get into the cliqueky thang! >:(

 I don't bow down to virtuosos ... or so called "stars" >:(

If you've got the gift, talent  and ability.... then

BRING IT ON TIME!

the anointing.... well, no matter what people say

God will determine that ?/? ?/? ?/?
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: SisterT on May 20, 2006, 09:36:15 PM
They're scared of you....that's why.  I would leave my house an hour early just to stay away from your wrath...

LOL!!  :D

Seriously....I said I TEACH. That means, I teach Gopd expectations, NOT my expectations. And I clearly communicated that they were not serving me but God.

To often we expect people who have been slothful with their service to suddenly change without any teaching. If that is what past leadership has done, they wiill follow suit. YOu must be willing to UNTEACH bad habits and show them what God's Word says about certain behaviors...such as timeliness.

There is no wrath from me....I've always had guidelines & the ENTIRE music ministry had to abide.

Let me throw this in....people will usually pattern themselves behind the leadership. If the Pastor is always late, members will do the same. If the MOM or Music Ministry Leader is slothful---not prepared & always late-- don't expect 100% from those you lead. There is much truth to the expression, "You lead by example."
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: SisterT on May 20, 2006, 09:46:46 PM
I could care less about what a person thinks of me when I hold up a standard for God.

 I don't clique, and don't get into the cliqueky thang! >:(

 I don't bow down to virtuosos ... or so called "stars" >:(

If you've got the gift, talent  and ability.... then

BRING IT ON TIME!

the anointing.... well, no matter what people say

God will determine that ?/? ?/? ?/?


That's what I'm talking about!!! Good points . ;D

I had a sister in the choir who was a good singer, but she thought she was the "premier" singer of the group. She would show up late on Sundays and sneak in the choir stand when I wasn't looking. Each time, I'd send a message telling her to remove herself from the choir stand.

She thought we couldn't go on without her, so she gout out of the choir. Well, the choir began to grow and their singing was worthy of outside invitations.  :D Soon after, she came back, but she knew I wasn't taking no stuff from her.

Choir leaders, you got to take a stand for excellence. It's not about quantity, it's all about QUALITY. However, I do realize that a lot of Choir leaders cannot take a stand for excellence because they too are "SITTING" on the job!
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: caisza on May 20, 2006, 10:11:26 PM
Amen to that SisterT

I agree with you 100%.  I hate being late, and hate when someone else makes me late.  I get off of work around 5:30pm Mon -Fri and still make it to choir practice on time (6pm).
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: vtguy84 on May 20, 2006, 11:22:22 PM
LOL!!  :D

Seriously....I said I TEACH. That means, I teach Gopd expectations, NOT my expectations.

Is that different from God's expectations¿ ;)
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: vtguy84 on May 20, 2006, 11:24:37 PM
Amen to that SisterT

I agree with you 100%.  I hate being late, and hate when someone else makes me late.  I get off of work around 5:30pm Mon -Fri and still make it to choir practice on time (6pm).

6PM¿!  Man I would never make that choir rehearsal....that seems to be pretty early  for a midweek choir rehearsal
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: praizeHim on May 20, 2006, 11:35:50 PM



Choir leaders, you got to take a stand for excellence. It's not about quantity, it's all about QUALITY. However, I do realize that a lot of Choir leaders cannot take a stand for excellence because they too are "SITTING" on the job!

That's word!
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: an_etonian on May 21, 2006, 09:17:11 AM
Our Præcentor (Director of Music) goes beserk if we are not on time! We also have a lot of rehearsals!

Monday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Mattins]
Tuesday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Holy Communion]
Wednesday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Mattins]
Wednesday 17.50-18.40 followed by service [Evensong]
Thursday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Holy Communion]
Thursay 17.50-19.00 followed by service [Evensong]
Friday 08.25-09.00
Friday 17.50-19.00 followed by service [Evensong]
Saturday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Mattins]

Sunday
08.25-10.30 followed by service [Mattins] - until 12.30
13.30-14.00 followed by service [Holy Communion/Sung Eucharist] - until 16.00
18.00-19.00 followed by service [Evensong/Vespers] - until 20.30/21.00

that is tiring! Plus we have full days of lessons after that. Turning up on time to all of those is difficult, but no-one has ever been late!
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: SisterT on May 21, 2006, 12:08:42 PM
Our Præcentor (Director of Music) goes beserk if we are not on time! We also have a lot of rehearsals!

Monday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Mattins]
Tuesday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Holy Communion]
Wednesday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Mattins]
Wednesday 17.50-18.40 followed by service [Evensong]
Thursday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Holy Communion]
Thursay 17.50-19.00 followed by service [Evensong]
Friday 08.25-09.00
Friday 17.50-19.00 followed by service [Evensong]
Saturday 08.25-09.00 followed by service [Mattins]

Sunday
08.25-10.30 followed by service [Mattins] - until 12.30
13.30-14.00 followed by service [Holy Communion/Sung Eucharist] - until 16.00
18.00-19.00 followed by service [Evensong/Vespers] - until 20.30/21.00

that is tiring! Plus we have full days of lessons after that. Turning up on time to all of those is difficult, but no-one has ever been late!


Wow, rehearsals EVERYDAY!! That's way TOOOOOOO much!! I think that is asking a bit too much of a person. If a person works, or is school, has a husband and kids, they would neglect something trying to keep up with rehersals.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: vtguy84 on May 21, 2006, 11:11:29 PM

Wow, rehearsals EVERYDAY!! That's way TOOOOOOO much!! I think that is asking a bit too much of a person. If a person works, or is school, has a husband and kids, they would neglect something trying to keep up with rehersals.

Exactly......
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: dingster1 on May 22, 2006, 11:46:09 AM
WOAH!! THat's everyday!!! I don't see it!! SOmebody's primary ministry (home) is getting short changed badly!!!
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: TheClef on May 22, 2006, 01:30:23 PM
Yea, but as a choirster, chorus is his way of life. Too much, agreed. But that's how those choirs are so good and stay on top of that awesome longstanding British choirster tradition.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: tnt10677 on May 22, 2006, 08:45:05 PM
I wnat thank everyone for the GREAT ADVICE on this. I have to tell you i have just become the choir director at my church and i have the issue of them coming in late but not just 5 or 10 mins its like 30 to 45 mins late..I have to drive an hour to rehearsal every week and i am on time yet they live in the city limits and are not on time. I will definitely try some of these techniques to fix this problem. Sis. T i agree with what you did. If you didnt show up on time at your job guess what you would get fired. We will break our necks (well some of us lol) to get to work every day ON TIME if not 30 mins before. Now why should we do God any differently.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: vtguy84 on May 22, 2006, 10:56:32 PM
I wnat thank everyone for the GREAT ADVICE on this. I have to tell you i have just become the choir director at my church and i have the issue of them coming in late but not just 5 or 10 mins its like 30 to 45 mins late..I have to drive an hour to rehearsal every week and i am on time yet they live in the city limits and are not on time. I will definitely try some of these techniques to fix this problem. Sis. T i agree with what you did. If you didnt show up on time at your job guess what you would get fired. We will break our necks (well some of us lol) to get to work every day ON TIME if not 30 mins before. Now why should we do God any differently.

Same exact story for me.  My church here is 45 minutes away and there will be people coming to rehearsal 45 minutes away....it would just be like me leaving for rehearsal the same time it started...I would beat them there and that's jus tridiculous....
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: SisterT on May 23, 2006, 09:41:14 AM
I wnat thank everyone for the GREAT ADVICE on this. I have to tell you i have just become the choir director at my church and i have the issue of them coming in late but not just 5 or 10 mins its like 30 to 45 mins late..I have to drive an hour to rehearsal every week and i am on time yet they live in the city limits and are not on time. I will definitely try some of these techniques to fix this problem. Sis. T i agree with what you did. If you didnt show up on time at your job guess what you would get fired. We will break our necks (well some of us lol) to get to work every day ON TIME if not 30 mins before. Now why should we do God any differently.

I had the same driving distance...one hour. Everyone else had less than a 15 minute drive. It was no excues to be late...and really, the excuses that people make are usually lame.

Whatever we do for God, we should give it our best effort. Lateness IS NOT our best. On the contrary, it shows God exactly how we feel about him and hwere our priorities are.
Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: MikaSue on May 23, 2006, 10:15:22 AM
Sister T you are my inspiration.  I agree with you.   I replaced an older musician who just didn't care anymore and the ministry is a mess.  So I am now imposing rules they have no clue about.  Some agree but a lot of them don't.   But people don't want to just be apart of any mess.  It has to mean something.  Since I have been sitting choirs down (yes entire choirs) I've had 5 people join  :-)   they see a change. They see that the music ministry is special not just somethign to do.   Stay strong in your discipline.  I am definately gonna try to stay encouraged.


I never had this problem with my choir. They always showed up on time.

When I frist took over the choir, I started on time....if no one was there within the first 5 minutes of rehearsal, I went home. I never waited on anyone. I believe when people see you are seriouse about certain things, they will get serious too.

We practiced on Wednesdays after Bible Study. One of the requirements of being in the choir was you had to attend a Bible Study. My rehearsals were at a convenient time. Those who couldn't make the rehearsal, were those who could not be a part of the music ministry. Come on...I don't go to certain church ministry meetings because it is not at a convenient time, although I would love to be a part of it. I figure it is not my time to be a part of that ministry.

Once, and I do mean ONCE, the entire choir was late for Sunday service...that is all except one person. One by one, when they got there, I told them not to get in the choir stand but sit in the congregation. I let the person who was there on time sing a solo. That was the last time I had that problem.

I believe in teaching people...and I always brought the Word to them and what God expects---Excellence in Ministry. Now, my choir had it's flaw, but timeliness was not an issue.


Title: Re: Showing up on time
Post by: Lyric33 on May 23, 2006, 10:44:12 AM
I have been in the choir for...I don't even know how many years. You may have 3 or 4 people on time (and that's sometimes). The rest about 20 members or so come straggling in 30 to 45 minutes into practice. Some don't even show up until Sunday and mess up the whole darn song because they weren't there to learn it. We tried paying late fees if you were late, If you didn't show up you had to pay, but none of this worked. I just got where I stayed at home and would call to see if anyone was there. It really has put a damper on the choir for me. I really don't even enjoy singing in the choir anymore....