"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.:)

Youth Music Ministry

We have been preparing for our Longview Baptist Temple Teen Convention and are looking forward to an uplifting and encouraging time.  Bro. and Mrs. John Robinson work with the Teen Choir and the Enduring Praise Teen Ensemble.  It is such a blessing to have them oversee the youth music ministry.
Maybe you're going in many different directions.  You find yourself speaking to the adults like you do the fourth graders or perhaps you have an "adult" atmosphere in the jr. choir.  Having the Robinsons oversee the youth music helps us keep our energies and brain power focused on a major area.  We do overlap which keeps us "in tune" with the entire picture.  Mrs. Robinson oversees a ladies' ensemble and a mixed ensemble and I play the piano for our teen church.
The Robinsons also oversee the junior choirs by helping the directors with helpers, pianists, music, and scheduling.   Any questions or problems go to the Robinsons and if they have any major questions they'll refer to me or to our pastor.
You may believe that your music ministry is too small to delegate but the best time to delegate is when you have someone who has the potential for growth.  This way they will grow along with the ministry attendance and maturing of the singers. If you don't have someone who is ready start thinking about a person who has a deep love for the Lord and who has a heart for helping people.  These people will learn the skills needed to do any job - even music.
This is an area that can be applied to any ministry.  If the children in your church are all in the nursery, maybe your church needs a senior citizen's music ministry, or a young couples' music ministry, it all depends upon the needs of your church members!
We have some ideas and plans that we want to start...but let's focus on the teen convention this week!!!