Help Justifying Section Leaders?
  • pinkdressfrancine
    Posts: 32
    I have had great success at bringing section leaders into struggling choral programs in the past. I know what they can do for a group.

    I am now being put in the position of needing to present a budget to laypeople (one of whom is in the choir). Can some who are wiser and more eloquent help me present a compelling argument? I don't always do a great job of putting my words together in situations like this, and I'm sure it would help to have the Forum's help!
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,611
    If you have a strong singer in a section, singing of the entire section improves dramatically by their presence - not just in singing the right notes at the right time, but in producing a sound that the others pick up and on and subconsciously imitate, improving their sound now and in the future.

    They bring consistency to the choir - being paid to be there being part of that, not being a volunteer balancing priorities and sometimes having to miss choir rehearsals but more than that, preventing the choir from having to change music at the last minute because of volunteers that show up not being able to carry the part themselves.

    They are teachers of their section, improving the choir now and in the future, after they may have moved on. It's like the Peace Corp of the 1960's, coming in to help out and leaving something better behind.
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen BruceL Andrew Motyka
  • Andrew Motyka
    Posts: 946
    ^^^ What he said.

    As a matter of fact, since you have a choir member in the group to which you are presenting, this

    If you have a strong singer in a section, singing of the entire section improves dramatically by their presence


    should be something they've noticed, and will likely find it a compelling reason.
  • mrcoppermrcopper
    Posts: 653
    ^^^ he said it well.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    Call your section leaders "Choral scholars," and hire college students, with a preference for those who are planning to pursue a career in Sacred Music or Music Education.

    There's a big difference between "This choir needs help," and "This music program is so awesome that we are helping to create the next generation of church musicians."
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,700
    Demonstration is the best way to win over non-musicians.

    Find a way to get section leaders there for a weekend or two and make everything amazing.
    Thanked by 1Andrew Motyka
  • ClergetKubiszClergetKubisz
    Posts: 1,912
    So how do you do this and not step on the toes and egos of those people who think they're already section leaders (or at least the linchpins of the choir) and who can also make your life a living Hell if they get upset?
  • PaixGioiaAmorPaixGioiaAmor
    Posts: 1,473
    When I had this discussion with my choir, I told them the truth and I told them I was telling them the truth.

    I told them that I have an easier time staying on MY part when someone else is singing with me. I said "I studied voice for two years, organ for four years, and I'm in graduate school for organ. If I can admit that I could use some help staying on a part, I don't think anyone else should be too proud to admit that either." It wasn't exactly those words, and it didn't come off "harsh," but that was my clear message.

    Then I told them "Sometimes, we have trouble getting enough people to sing because life happens." I pointed to one of our altos. I said "Now just last week Sue here in the alto section had to leave town because her daughter was having a baby. Of course she had to go, that's important! But that doesn't mean we didn't miss her - and when Mary got the flu that weekend, and Vicki had already planned to go on a trip - remember where that left us?" Everyone agreed that it had been a challenge and the remaining two altos said "Yeah, we did not like that Sunday at all!" I said, well, you see, having a small core of people we are paying to be here guarantees a certain number of people here no matter what - people who know their parts and are trained singers, so that no one ever feels the weight of a whole section on their shoulders."

    It worked. We've had a semi-professional group for three years now.
    Thanked by 3Adam Wood Ben ClergetKubisz
  • Andrew Motyka
    Posts: 946
    Demonstration is the best way to win over non-musicians.


    This is true of just about any change you want to make to your music program, liturgy, parish, Church, or life.
    Thanked by 3Adam Wood Ben CHGiffen
Add a Comment