[The views expressed in this blog are from my personal experiences from 25 years of leading non-auditioned community choirs in the UK, as well as adult singing workshops. My focus is on teaching by ear using a repertoire of songs from traditions across the globe. Your experiences may differ from mine, so do feel free to leave a comment and let's begin a conversation! A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]
Humans – dontcha just love ’em?! They say they really want to do something, then they don’t turn up.
What is that about? How come it’s so hard to leave the house when it’s choir time?
OK, maybe not everyone is like me, but when it’s dark and cold outside, it takes a lot to get me out of my warm, comfortable house at night.
Even if I really love doing something like singing in choir or going to a movie, I find it very hard to leave the warmth and safety of my home on a winter evening.
It’s crazy I know. As my mum used to say: “You’ll enjoy it when you get there” and I always do.
I love it when I get to the restaurant or movie or when I see my choir friends and have a good sing.
It’s just that it takes a bit of effort to overcome the hold that my comfortable house has on me. Especially at this time of year – winter in the UK.
As a choir leader I’ve made a commitment to turn up each week, so that’s what motivates me. And if I’m leading a workshop, I won’t get paid unless I turn up.
But if it’s a drop-in choir or something else that happens most weeks, it takes a bit of effort to actually go. Especially when it’s cold and dark.
I put the question several years ago: What motivates you to turn up to choir week after week? The comments make interesting reading.
You might also find these other posts of interest:
I love to sing, but I’m not leaving the house!
Why we avoid things that make us feel good
All I can say is I’m glad that we do manage to escape the comforts of our homes to drag ourselves along to choir each week. Otherwise I’d be out of a job!
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Chris Rowbury
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