It seems obvious to me, but I’ve known choirs, singing workshops and singing groups who don’t always work in a safe space.
But how else will you get the best out of singers? Here’s why a safe, supported space is important.
I had a lovely comment from a singer on one of my recent singing weekends:
“The space held was safe, fun and serious enough and I felt free to be who I needed to be.”
I always try to make my singing sessions fun, accessible and safe. But I hadn't really reflected before on how important a safe and supported environment is to singers.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re singer, choir leader or just a bunch of mates who like singing together, creating a safe space is vital and we’re all responsible (not just the leader).
Singers are extremely vulnerable when singing together. The voice reveals a lot about an individual. A singer might get something ‘wrong’. People worry that everyone else is better than them and will make a fool of themselves. When going for a high note, a voice might crack or stumble. There are plenty of potential pitfalls when singing.
But if we create a safe and supported space, then singers can feel free to be themselves, to explore and experiment, and to fail comfortably whilst improving.
Singing together needs a space which is:
safe – a space in which you can fail or get things wrong and not worry about being criticised or judged. A space where nobody tells you off or shouts at you. A space which is comfortable and relaxed and where you feel that anything is possible. A space without ridicule, gossip, sarcasm, blame, tuts or pointed fingers.
supported – in a safe space you need to know, as singers, that someone will be there to help you. That everyone in the group has got your back. That you’re all there to guide everyone towards improvement and understanding. You need to trust that everyone will be patient with you as you stumble and learn. You need to feel that you can ask (silly) questions without being laughed at. You need things to be explained in a simple and effective manner.
valued – when singing with others you need to feel valued. You need to feel that your individual and unique voice and presence matters to the group. Everyone should be equal and equally valued. You should feel that everyone is equally important and that the group wouldn’t be the same with just one of the voices missing (see You are the most important singer in your choir).
It is so easy to destroy a safe and supportive space. It only takes one singer or choir leader to spoil the whole thing. It’s most often because of their own inadequacies and fears and usually manifests as criticism, raised voices, impatience and stress. Avoid these at all costs!
You might find these older posts of interest:
How to tell if your choir leader is rubbish
Avoid toxic choir leaders – the end does NOT justify the means
How to deal with a toxic choir member
Don’t try to help your fellow singers – it’s not your job!
Toxic choir (and committee) members – how to stop them spoiling it for others
How to be a bad choir director (it’s easier than you think)
What’s the opposite of a “Singing for fun” choir?
Don’t stress about things you can’t control
When patience wears thin – 5 strategies for choir (and other) leaders
Is there an alternative to being patient when leading a choir?
Getting the best out of your choir (series of 6 posts)
Chris Rowbury
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