You are the most important singer in your choir

• Posted by Chris Rowbury February 1, 2017 - Filed in Choir Post - 2,649 views

  [A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]

   

  Yes, you! No matter what size your choir is, you are by far the most important singer in it.

   

  

  photo by ~BillieJoesEntourage

   

  Without you, the choir would simply not function. We couldn’t do it without you!
  
  If you left, there would be no choir.
  
  If you don’t know your part well, the song will sound awful.
  
  If you don’t know the words, everything will grind to a halt.
  
  If you don’t turn up for a rehearsal or concert, there will be no performance.

   

  responsibilities

  Being the most important singer in the choir comes with certain responsibilities.

   

  • don’t depend on others – it makes you vulnerable. If you need someone to lean on (for the words, for your part, ...) and that person doesn’t turn up (for whatever reason) then you’re screwed! And it’s not a nice feeling if loads of people are leaning on you either.
     
  • know your stuff/ be prepared – learn the words and know your part inside out. The whole choir depends on you.
     
  • always turn up – without you there is no choir! If every singer thinks “Nobody will miss me if I don’t show, I’m not that important, there are plenty of other singers” then there will be no singers.
     
  • be the best that you can – there is always someone waiting to replace you so make sure you’re doing the best that you possibly can. Be a role model for the other singers around you.
     
  • take charge – behave as if you know what you’re doing (even if you don’t!). Don’t wait to be perfect. Sing out loud and proud even if you have doubts. Take charge of the situation and be bold.
     
  • don’t take it too seriously – yes you have to be responsible and take your role as the most important singer in the choir seriously, BUT ... find a balance. It’s just singing. The world won’t end if you get something wrong.
     

  further reading

  You might find the following posts useful too:
  
  How to be a good choir member
  
  Everybody has a place in the choir
  
  How to cope when singers miss choir sessions
  
  Trust me – you know it makes sense

   

   

   

   

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  Chris Rowbury

   

  website: chrisrowbury.com
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