Has anyone ever started a choir from scratch?

[momuzik]

Right now we only have a praise team. Lately, people have been coming to me wanting to join the praise team - we already have 6 singers and everybody can't be on the praise team. So we're prayerfully looking to start a choir.

If anyone started a choir from scratch, where did you begin?, How did you set it up and put things together?

 

[vtguy84]

I'm actually in the process of putting together a new choir as we speak.  I'm also help to direct a choir my musician friend has just started at the church where he is the MOM.

I always start off with the musicians to make sure that the backbone of the choir is there and willing to make the step to becoming a choir.  Once that begins, then I see who all is interest and if the interest is great enough, then you start with rehearsals, and finally the premier of the new choir.

[Formuzik]

I have started choirs from scratch.  You already have a praise team in place which is good, however, I suggest that you meet with them and share with them how God is broadening your ministry opportunity by bringing more people to you.  Have a Saturday set aside as an audition day.  That day is not designed to turn away anyone, but to allow you to place singers in their proper section, also you will learn who can sing solos and who can possibly read or possess other gifts that are needed to successfully run a music ministry.

I think at that point you should also look at starting a rotation with the praise team.  No church in my opinion should have one select group of people as the praise singers lest you end up with an elitist group which usually cause more problems than helping.  I would love to talk with you more sometime about these processes.  You can contact me on MSN Messenger (muzik4you@hotmail.com) or Yahoo (formuzik2). 

God bless you,

Pastor Starkovich

[EvRiley]

good post.