I assume that we’d all like to become better at what we do. That could be teaching songs, singing, or leading a choir.
Inevitably, to improve, we will need to develop new habits or change existing ones. But that can feel awkward and unfamiliar, even painful at times.
We all like to think our choirs are friendly spaces where everyone is equally welcome.
But being in a choir can bring back all sorts of memories of our time at school. All the things we found difficult as children can come back to haunt us.
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.
Many of the queries I get sent concern ‘toxic’ choir members. People who disrupt things and spoil it for others.
I thought I’d look a bit deeper into what’s going on and consider what you can do.
Sometimes an individual choir member needs to be told that they’re getting it wrong.
In our attempt to not be unkind, we can sometimes end up being too nice, which is not helpful.
Very occasionally there comes a time when you will have to ask a singer to leave your choir.
What’s the best (and kindest) way to do this?
No matter how flexible and self-aware we think we are, inevitably we all end up becoming a bit set in our ways.
This can particularly apply to any choir or singing group who’ve been together for a long time. What happens when a new leader comes along and tries to change this?
Very occasionally a singer may join your choir who seems to affect everyone negatively.
They are somehow ‘toxic’ and affect the whole choir. Here’s how you can deal with such a person.
Many choirs are open-access: they welcome all kinds of voices and don’t hold auditions.
But is it still possible to keep everyone happy and be truly inclusive without making too many concessions?
