Dear Music Director: THE ISSUE OF RESPONSIBILITY 2

written by W.N. Vincent

“As rewarding as leading a choir is, there are always challenges.”

Sometime in October of 2019, I shared with some Choristers and music directors on the importance of grooming and having responsible choristers. I got several interesting and excellent responses, but one question caught my attention;

“How can you as a choral leader, imbibe a sense of responsibility into your choir members, even when some adamantly refuse to step up and take up responsibility?”

This question is the reason for today’s post.

I’m excited about how what I’ll share with you can be applied to any area of leadership, be it choir leading, parenting, etc.

But before I proceed, let me tell you a story.

Joel is a 7-year-old boy.

Two (2) weeks ago he lost the N100 naira his mummy gave to him when she picked him up from school in the afternoon. It was his birthday and he asked mummy to buy him some ice cream. Sadly, he never got it.  

Mummy was enraged! She couldn’t understand how he lost the money she gave to him in less than 2-hours. This was the third time Joel would be losing money in the last 2-months. 

This time, mummy wouldn’t have any of it. Mummy ordered young Joel to stretch out his little hand, with his short fingers very visible. Then she gave him 3 strokes of the cane, with these words on her lips, “Next time…next time I give you money…be…be more… careful! Don’t lose it!” 

Today Joel lost N50 naira and he is scared to his teeth! He can’t tell mummy because her words keep ringing in his ears. He feels helpless. He doesn’t want to keep losing money, but he doesn’t know how to keep from losing it either.

You can assume that people should just know what to do, but in reality, sometimes you have to not just tell them WHAT to do, but also show them the HOW, and patiently at that. And with that, here are a few things you could do to imbibe a sense of responsibility in your choir members.

1. Delegation of duties/roles

I have noticed that many choir leaders are quick to DISCIPLINE before they attempt to DISCIPLE, when faced with members who are slow to take up responsibility.

While one can Discipline without attempting to Disciple, one cannot Disciple without Disciplining.

To Disciple focuses first, on ‘teaching’ before disciplining. It’s like the lecture before the test or exam. On the other hand, discipline may be out of the ‘frustration’ of always having to give the same instructions without getting any results, and sadly, without any form of active or conscious teaching.

Sometimes if we wait for the majority to take up responsibility at the same time, we’ll wait in vain.  

But what we can do is to focus on the few who are willing. We will attempt to set a standard with the willing few by entrusting them with certain responsibilities.  This can be achieved via delegation of duty.  

Rather than beat them down for not scoring songs, show those willing to learn how to score a song and entrust them with the responsibility of teaching a section of the choir their vocal part.  

With your guidance and with time, every one of them would come to rehearsal ready because they know the HOW to song scoring.

If you find it hard to score a song, you may find this helpful

Also, if the show of irresponsibility is late coming, which is a sign of a lack of regard for the time of other team members, you can draw a time table and give offenders the duty of taking opening prayer or warm-up sessions during every rehearsal.  That way they will have to arrive at rehearsal early.

The idea is to get those who are showing no sense of responsibility in an area, to do things from a conscious stand point, to the point where they do it without much thought, – it’s part of them – such that even if they are not tasked with that responsibility, they would be responsible for their actions. 

2. Dialogue

One of the challenges of choir leading is, having to deal with difficult choir members.  

One of many solutions to this is dialogue.

In dialogue, you seek first, to understand than to be understood. Try not to ask questions to reply with an answer; rather ask questions to understand the person’s opinion and feelings.

• Why do you do this?
• Do you have any challenges in this area that makes you unable to do this or that?

Doing this will help you know more strategic ways to help them.

3. Prayer

Prayer is hard work, and sadly many choral leaders will opt for other ways to help groom their choir than pray.

Be a man given to prayer.

Pray for your people. Through prayer, those who are bent on being irresponsible will either be broken or chased away.

Let’s face it; some people just need to leave the choir so they stop being a negative influence on those who really want to serve in the choir. The choir is such a sensitive place.

And that’s a wrap!

I hope these solutions help.

Remember, if you have a challenge in your choir, you can reach me personally on Facebook.

Cheers to the growth of your music and ministry!