Officers
  • amanda.palisteramanda.palister
    Posts: 82
    Does anyone here use officers in their music program? For example, a librarian to create/maintain a file system in order to keep track of music. A secretary to take attendance and notes on what music was rehearsed. A treasurer to keep track of finances, etc? If so, what is working well for you? What are the drawbacks?
    Thanks!
  • MarkThompson
    Posts: 768
    You mean, is there any Tom Sawyer out there who's managed to trick people into whitewashing his fence for him?
  • Charles in CenCA
    Posts: 2,416
    Amanda,
    Wha'?????
    Calling Peter Latona, Jennifer Pascual.... ;-)
  • amanda.palisteramanda.palister
    Posts: 82
    Ha! Well, I wondered mainly because these mechanisms were in place in several orchestras which I have been a part of in the past. I thought it might be useful for those who run several programs at once - but need to think through more of the details. Input from those who effectively delegate duties would be greatly appreciated. It serves several purposes: 1) gives the director more time to focus on repertoire 2) gives others a chance to contribute in a meaningful way 3) if run effectively, ensures an overall smoother operation of the program.

    Sort of like.....
    When you go to a hospital, you may find a patient registration representative, a triage nurse, a clinical technician, a financial operations specialist, a discharge planner, a chaplain, lab tech, radiologist, etc. The doctor isn't expected to do everything.

    ;-)
  • MaryAnn Carr WilsonMaryAnn Carr Wilson
    Posts: 1,738
    Folks in the choir I direct help with these matters-
    Librarian
    Section leaders (mostly attendance based)
    Social organizer
    Historian
    Tech support

    I love them for it!! They are quite reliable and efficient. Seeing as I am paid part-time (very fair salary) I am able to focus 20+ hours mostly on musical aspects and delegate non-musical matters to volunteers. Their help means the parish music program can develop well without a completely taxed musician.
  • amanda.palisteramanda.palister
    Posts: 82
    That is great, MA and exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

    What does the historian do? Just curious...

    What is the approximate time vested for each position (ballpark) ?

    I see that you have a social organizer. I was going to ask in another thread how many folks held outings and potlucks on a regular basis and how that was going.

    Your choir sounds fantastic and a potential model for (ahem) others here.
  • DougS
    Posts: 793
    "What does the historian do?"

    An eternally relevant question.

    ;-)
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,611
    Must we get into a discussion of potlucks? YES! For they are the pasta that binds a choir together, time spent with choir members in a different setting gives the director a chance to get to know them as individuals and their families as well!
  • Carl DCarl D
    Posts: 992
    As I observe the main choir in our parish (I'm not the director of that), I see:
    * Attendance takers (contact them if you're going to miss practice)
    * Assistant practice leaders
    * Social organizer
    * Music organizer
    * Seating order organizer (because every Mass is a mystery for who's going to show up)
    * PA/microphone roadies

    Some of these are fairly small roles, yes, but they remove a lot of stress from the director. It lets her focus on the music and quality of singing.

    One of the keys is letting everyone know that these roles are valued by the director, and sanctioned (no "self-appointed"). To get people to step up to help:
    * Listen to people. They have good ideas all the time. Sometimes you can ask, "great idea, how about if you organize it?"
    * Tell people in general that you have a need
    * Ask people in private: "It would really help, I think you'd be good at it, I'd appreciate it." When asked in private, people often will give it a try
  • amanda.palisteramanda.palister
    Posts: 82
    Thank you very much, this is extremely helpful. We do have a lot of "needs improvement" areas and I don't think that any one person can do it all (the way it should be done) without running themselves into the ground. I like the idea of having a social element that goes above and beyond rehearsal and performance, because I do think that people have better ensemble if they spend time with and care for each other.
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,611
    In my last choir the use of an google group for posting announcements and sharing ideas and discussion infuriated the three or so who really, really hated everything that I stood for - everything that attracted new singers and rapidly outnumbered them. So the email group angered them beyond belief and became a sort of coffee break place to drop in and see what was going on. The net can help create a social atmosphere.
  • MaryAnn Carr WilsonMaryAnn Carr Wilson
    Posts: 1,738
    Amanda, the historian keeps track of the original history of the choir, it's directors, members, events, etc. and maintains info for the web person/ tech support.
    The time for each role varies between approx 10-60 minutes a week. I make it a goal to notice the individual strengths within the group and, like Carl said, I do ask them privately and without pressure.
    Thanks for the kind words, and please pray for us at St. Anne's, that above all we keep a purity of intent to glorify God and edify the faithful. And that we help eachother and have some fun while striving for this. :)
  • amanda.palisteramanda.palister
    Posts: 82
    Noel, I wish that more would make use of modern technology but unfortunately the vast majority are "old school" and have an aversion to "new-fangled thingies." That's ok, they are really a great bunch, but it rules out the social networking option, at least for now. (One of them went on about "The evils of Myface" and I nearly fell out of the loft). But they do have a point. I see all too often teenagers driving/texting - it's just not work the risk and they don't seem to care. No wonder the elders are afraid of it.

    MA, I will certainly keep you and your group in prayer. I never thought about having a historian and what a wonderful idea. So many things get lost as time flies by, and it would certainly be helpful to have it captured in a way that is both useful and preserving of culture.
  • RagueneauRagueneau
    Posts: 2,592
    Amanda Palister,

    The great Roger Wagner actually mentions the whole topic of "assistants to the choir director" in this fascinating interview:

    http://www.ccwatershed.org/blog/2010/nov/7/roger-wagner-interview/" target="_blank">Interview with Roger Wagner
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