End of Season gifts for choir?
  • Music_Miss
    Posts: 16
    Our parish gives a volunteer appreciation dinner at the end of May, to which all volunteers are invited, including the choir. I'm not a party-goer, but I gave the choir a pizza party around Christmas and I had also planned to have an "end-of-the-season" choir party after our last practice (in just a few weeks), to show my appreciation for their hard work throughout the year. However, when I brought it up to the choir no one really seemed interested... during the next week, nobody responded telling me what they would bring as I asked them to do, so I cancelled it and they are just going to come to the parish dinner instead of also having a potluck the week before. Just wondering what other music directors do...do you give gift cards, mementos, or anything like that at the end of the year, or do you have a dinner, or both, or neither? I guess what I'm wondering is: is it enough for me to just let the choir attend the parish volunteer dinner or should I be doing something more for them? I'm thinking the volunteer dinner is probably enough, especially since they themselves didn't react to the potluck idea with enthusiasm, but I'd be interested to hear what others typically do. The choir itself is very close-knit and had a very close relationship with my predecessor, even going out after practices for drinks on a weekly basis from what I understand. That's not the type of relationship I want, but I don't want them to feel that I don't care about them, either. I haven't had this position for quite a year yet and I still feel a little uncomfortable with the choir, as if I'm constantly being judged for being different than my predecessor (in all fairness, I am highly judgmental of myself, so I might be projecting that onto them). I'm saying this not to complain or bemoan my situation but to give you a little background on why I'm fretting over the end of the year leave-taking. (Although I should also note: it's not really a "leave-taking," so to speak, because those who want to sing in the choir on Sundays in the summer do have that option. I'm just ending choir rehearsals for the summer.)

    I've gotten a little off subject. Please let me know what has been working for you all.

    Thank you!
  • Music_Miss
    Posts: 16
    P.S. -- our last practice didn't go overly well. I never yelled or became angry with them, but I did let them see that I was tired and a little frustrated with them still not knowing their notes after 4 practices and sending them their part recordings. Usually I stay super positive at rehearsals and don't let on that I'm irritated. I feel guilty about it so that is another reason why I feel compelled to give them a peace-offering. Not saying that's reasonable, just digging deeper into the web of motives and issues.
  • Reval
    Posts: 186
    One thing to consider - I think a lot of families have tons of events through May. All kinds of school events (especially if there's a graduation, and attendant festivities). Maybe the choir just doesn't want to commit to one more evening.
    It sounds like your choir is in a bit of transition, and they are still getting used to you (and the fact that you have actual musical expectations of them). Maybe you could just recognize them somehow at the volunteer dinner.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    It sounds a bit like they are tired, overwhelmed with other events, and ready for a vacation. They probably don't need another event to attend. However, the recognition that Reveal mentioned above I would think they would welcome.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • francis
    Posts: 10,825
    Give the entire choir a Mass card.
    Thanked by 3StimsonInRehab Music_Miss mmeladirectress
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,093
    It's much better to have events right after the choir resumes for a new season than at the end of a season.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • canadashcanadash
    Posts: 1,501
    We always have an "end of the year" party. Most often it is at a chorister's home, though we have had it at a restaurant on occasion. I always have it catered and the church pays for the catering as well as some wine and beer. I always have the get together in lieu of the choir rehearsal, and do not take away one of their Sunday afternoons.

    During the year, I do a few things to show I am grateful. For the first rehearsal I always bake treats and bring bottled water. I begin the rehearsal with the food and chatter. This takes about 1/2 an hour. Then we go rehearse.

    After Midnight Mass, I also bring baking. Generally members take a small bite of something, and they are grateful for the gesture. There is a more formal reception after the Vigil, so I'm off the baking hook there.

    I think a Mass card is a lovely gesture if people don't wish to have a separate gathering.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • IanWIanW
    Posts: 762
    I take my once a month schola for a drink after Sunday evening mass (the first round is on me), and we go for a meal once a year.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,933
    After polyphonic masses, I usually treat my choir to dinner, either as a group or individually (not all the members share my same love for Indian food!)
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    We have a large Christmas party which has evolved into a major celebration. All feel it is enough celebrating for the year.

    Rehearsals go to every other week from June through September while people are on vacations. One year I made the mistake of having once a month summer rehearsals and found the choir was forgetting far more than it was learning or retaining. In any event, they get some time off during summer and most are grateful.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • donr
    Posts: 971
    A little off topic. How do you handle off season music?
    Do you do all the playing and singing yourselves?
    Do you have a Cantor and Organist?
    Or do members come and just help out on any given Sunday?

    I'm interested because I only do a full choir for Triduum, and Christmas Eve and have a small choir on regular Sunday Masses throughout the year.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    I have the choir members who are in town every Sunday at the choir mass. They sing pieces they have worked on over the years and essentially have memorized - not major works, btw. Sometimes I play for offertory if it is a Sunday where my choir attendance is down. I have cantors year-round for the other masses. We also have a Schola specializing in early music that sings twice a month at one of the cantor-time masses. It all works out.
    Thanked by 2donr Music_Miss
  • Music_Miss
    Posts: 16
    @donr,

    My choir is fairly large (around 20 people) and we rehearse every week during the season, taking the summer (June-August) off rehearsals. Last year my choir was disappointed that they didn't sing at Mass on Sundays, so I'm giving them the option this year to come and sing on Sundays in the summer (although we still won't have practice). I'm sure people will be going on vacation and some might even choose not to participate anyway, but most of my choir will show up for the summer Sundays if they're in town.

    I've taught the choir/congregation several new hymns since I got the job last July, but we only sing "special" rep -- i.e., songs not out of the hymnal, songs that had to be ordered -- for special celebrations (Christmas, Holy Week, Mother's Day, Pentecost, etc.). I'd eventually like the choir to get to a place where they can sing "special" rep like that on a weekly basis but right now that's just not a possibility with the limited time we have.

    For Christmas/Easter/"special occasions," I record their parts and send them out in .wav files through email, or make CDs for those who do not have internet. We also hold sectionals in addition to our regular 1.5-hour weekly rehearsals.

    I do all the playing myself as I don't have an accompanist, and frankly I enjoy playing very much so that's not a problem at all. I do schedule cantors so that all of them get to sing once a month, all throughout the year (including summer), but I also always sing along at every Mass.

    Hope this was helpful!
    Thanked by 1donr
  • PaxMelodious
    Posts: 442
    Music_miss, you want to thank your choir for their hard work. Possibly though you are mis-judging their motivations. If you are thanking them, then it sounds like they do the work for you. But maybe they do it for God, or out of love for their neighbour. You just happen to be the person who's co-ordinating and playing for this at the moment - if anything they should be thanking you for helping them to do a better job.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • Music_Miss
    Posts: 16
    Thanks, @PaxMelodious. I needed to hear that! :)
  • MaryAnn Carr WilsonMaryAnn Carr Wilson
    Posts: 1,738
    I'm on the lookout for informative choral handouts/ publications to give as gifts. Something practical, educational and brief. Cost around or under $5. Any ideas?
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
  • Stella611
    Posts: 112
    This thread has been relevant to me also, as I think and discern how to improve our choral program for next year. Thanks for the tidbit about doing a party at the beginning of the year, rather than at the end!
    If your parish allows it MaryAnn, I think I am going to do this with my choir at the last rehearsal on June 1st:
    - bring wine and beer & some apps or desserts.
    Aldi will make this pretty affordable for me.
    Thanked by 1Music_Miss
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