Comments on From the front of the choir: How to tell if your choir leader is rubbish

I completely agree with you Viv. Not only does a g...

2009-10-03T14:38:57.573+01:00

I completely agree with you Viv. Not only does a good choir leader need to know when to move onto the next song, but also must make sure they don't linger on just one part for too long.

And you're right about good organisation: some people can be wonderful singers/ arrangers/ performers/ conductors, but simply not organised enough to be a good teacher/ choir leader.

Chris

I've had some thoughts about what makes a good cho...

2009-09-28T18:53:30.107+01:00

I've had some thoughts about what makes a good choir leader.

Good judgement on when to stop teaching a particular song, and move on to the next, in order to maintain attention, participation, enjoyment and a sense of achievement seems to me to be a valuable asset of a teacher/ leader. Also, enthusiasm for your subject and the desire on the part of the teacher to share their knowledge hopefully provokes a positive response from the learners.

And finally that old chestnut - organisation - which I don't think you talked about. I believe that if the teacher is well organised it shows in the teaching, promoting confidence in both the teacher and the learner, for choir masters/ directors and singers are just that - teachers and learners. Good organisation shows the teacher knows exactly what he is doing (although depending on your subject, a chance remark from a learner can send the teacher down a previously unconsidered path, but could prove a valuable & rewarding experience for all concerned) and can give the learners confidence that this is so.

Viv

This is a really interesting topic Chris. I work f...

2009-09-28T17:40:30.225+01:00

This is a really interesting topic Chris. I work full-time as a freelance community musician leading singing with different groups in health and social care / community development contexts - so I don't lead a choir as such, but several different singing groups. Something I've found a challenge is when as a leader of singing I feel out of step with the group I am working with, mainly because there is a diversity of opinion about how the group should be moving forward (in terms of repertoire, performance etc). To ensure this doesn't cause a problem I keep talking to the participants, asking them what they enjoyed, what didn't go so well, asking for suggestions for format as well as repertoire. I also reflect on my practice through my blog or privately in a journal. As a leader of singing I am humbled by the trust people put in me, and I want to make sure I never take advantage of that. I also try and keep the power dynamic as flat as possible - I am facilitating their singing - it's about what they can do, not what I can do.

You'd be surprised Deb! Some choir leaders put the...

2009-09-17T09:40:37.480+01:00

You'd be surprised Deb! Some choir leaders put the music first and do anything in their power (including shouting, etc.) to get the end result perfect. Some choir members complain to me that I'm too relaxed in my approach! They would like more discipline, dotting the I's and T's, getting cross when people make a mistake, going over and over and over stuff.

Some people have never had different experiences and don't KNOW that things can be different. Many, many choir leader are (unfortunately) not people people (i.e. treat the voices just as instruments), or are just there for an ego trip, or are out of their depth so they cover their inadequacies by being shouty.

Often people say to me "You're SO patient", implying that most people they've ever worked with aren't!!

Chris

Why would anyone stay around if someone was treati...

2009-09-17T00:59:42.881+01:00

Why would anyone stay around if someone was treating them like that? We might have to put up with it from work colleagues sometimes (though I try to put a stop to that too!) But if it is not paid work, don't stay!!!!! regards, Deb

Hi daharja Yeah, I'm surprised that the choir has...

2009-09-16T19:11:28.167+01:00

Hi daharja

Yeah, I'm surprised that the choir has ANY members! But some strange people out there seem to like arrogance and abuse!

I agree: likeability, respect, etc. are key qualities in a good choir or workshop leader. And if you don't LOVE the choir you're in - move on!

Glad that you've found a choir and choir leader you like.

Chris

Ooooooh, tricky one. I visited a choir quite a w...

2009-09-16T03:49:10.178+01:00

Ooooooh, tricky one.

I visited a choir quite a while back, and HATED it. The choir director was a real ratbag. He was arrogant, abusive, rude, and just plain nasty.

But he knew his stuff.

I mean, the guy was competent. He was a good musician, and could pick the problems in the choir. But I couldn't stand him, and was glad I was just visiting.

The choristers of the choir were very friendly, and some said that they were extremely lucky to have him. But then one of them mentioned to me that they were having problems with membership.

Gee - I wonder WHY!

As a result, the choir was going from strength to strength - those that stayed, that is, and could handle the rotten attitude of this guy - but the choir itself was dying in numbers.

As for me, if I lived in that city, I'd find another choir. One thing I love about the choirs I sing in is that they're directed by a guy who is not only extremely competent but who I get along with quite well. He's very respectful of the choristers, and it shows in our work.

Yes, I know you're talking about workshops, but the same rules apply to choirs. If a person is good, it isn't enough. They have to inspire love of the art in those with whom they work. Because it is only when you love what you do that you can even glimpse the greatness to which we all reach.

Does that make any sense at all to you? Because it does to me.