"Group Personalities"

Have you noticed that every group rehearsal is different?  Every group member is individual and so every group personality will be its own.  It's been over ten years since we've started a mixed adult ensemble.  We've had Voice of Triumph ensemble for thirty plus years and Strength and Beauty Ensemble for almost fifteen years.  I had the privilege of starting a brand new adult ensemble just a few months ago and I can tell that this group will have its own sound and learning style.  As a matter of fact, I'm having to be very flexible with the song selections.  I had five songs chosen for the first month of rehearsals and only two seemed to fit their likes and learning style.
I think it also goes the other way.  They are learning my directing style.  I hope they will be patient with me as I "get the feel" of this groups' personality.
The group has sixteen members (eight couples) and is very talented.  They are also very faithful and prompt to rehearsals.  We practice in the fellowship hall because of the size of group and also because there are nineteen children who attend with their parents!  All together there are thirty-six of us in the room! So, I've learned that we need to get right to the point in rehearsal, not wasting time, because the longer we practice the louder the room tends to get!  No problem, just the stage of the families in the group.  I'm sure in the next few years this number will grow!
I'm looking forward to a great first year with this group.  This group has reminded me of what makes groups work, regardless of personalities.
1. Plan rehearsals at a convenient time for all who attend
2. Have a clean and comfortable room to practice
3. Have music prepared and organized in individual folders.  Group members may leave them with you or take them home to practice.
4. Add a new song every few weeks.
5. Be willing to make practice recordings for group members to practice at home.
6. Arrive before the group members and get the room ready and music laid out for distribution.
7. Start on time, even if all of the group members have not arrived.
8. Finish on time.
9. Announce to the group when they will be singing next, several weeks beforehand.
10. If the group is struggling with a song, hold off on it and find one that "clicks" for the group.
11. Try to make eye contact and greet each member of the group at each rehearsal.  Thank them for their faithfulness.:)