If you're a choral geek like me, then you spend as much time thinking about and planning for your choir as you do actually doing the things you've thought about and planned. This sort of thinking and planning is crucial to what we do, both before and after the event (the rehearsal, the worship service, the concert). Evaluation should be one of the sharpest and most-used tools in our arsenal.
Sometimes evaluation comes on the front end. I've said it before, but always ask why. Why do we sing this type of choral music? Why do we sing it at this point in the worship service? Why do we sing from this particular place in the worship center or sanctuary? It helps to have a few people to share these questions with, and getting your pastor involved in this discussion is vital. It can be a challenge organizing schedules to accommodate this, but the pay-off is huge. Thinking about these things and planning ahead of time actually makes the task easier, more enjoyable and a lot more fulfilling in the long run. Besides, I'm convinced that the Holy Spirit can speak to us 6 months ahead of time, just like He can 10 minutes before the service.
Here's the deal – if the choir's physical placement is intentional, and their musical statement is well thought-out; if their contribution to worship is logical and fits the flow and context of the service theme, then it doesn't matter the size of the ensemble, or the collective amount of experience, or even the musical talent level. Suddenly, because there's a statement being made by the choir (to God on behalf of the people, or a word from God to the people) that's appropriate and meaningful and at just the right time and place, their impact is intensified. Their contribution becomes invaluable. Without even realizing it, they become the Wow! factor.
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