THE COMPETITION SPIRIT AT MUSICALS AND CONCERTS

[AARON81]

Wassup yall?  You know i'm new to this site.  But i'll be stickin' around.  I thinks it's tight.  Glad I found out about it.  Anyway...here goes my first thread on this board....

I'm a musician in Jackson, Mississippi.  I love playing.  I love most of the things about the music ministry in general...but there is one aspect that gets on my last nerve.  I know it's not just here either.  What is it with the competition atmosphere at musicals and concerts?  

Everybody's out to outsing the last group.....Everybody's out to outdress the other group........  and we want even talk about us musicians...  It just gets to be a BIG SHOW sometimes.  It's crazy.  I can't stand it.  

How do yall feel about the competition spirit in so many musicals and concerts?

Tell us about some of your experiences...

[piano-lady]

You know what?  I cannot tell you the last time I attended a musical. And it's because of the competetive spirit that is so predominate in it.  I have a hard time getting through some of those quartets and groups anyway, but when they get on a roll and try to outsiong the last group, I get quite bored.   Not all people are like that, but you do see it a lot.  I'm kinda moving to a new phase in my musical life.  I am soooo content with playing at the little church that I play for...and nothing more.  I don't care about going to choir days, benefit programs, etc.  I'd rather send a 10 spot and skip the drama!

[Dooley]

I just attended a musical/concert last night for Jonathan Dunn.  Now he has some of the best unsigned musicians around...And there were many musicians there.  It maybe was a little competition, but it wasnt really because those people who were "competing" were also sharing what they were doing and allowing others to see what they are doing.  So yes it can be a competition, but most of the time, musicians will share.

[thekeynote]

Yes, it in my opinion it is very competitive and un-Christian like.  The musicians are sniffing around each other like two dogs on the prey.   The choir tries to out sing the other one.  We don't because we're not all-that yet...lol.

BUT, what really gets me is when I'm playing for my choir and the musician(s) from the other church just start playing along and waaaayyyy louder than I'm playing.  I had to ask one man to get up off the piano bench (I was playing the organ) and I played the piano the other two songs we sang.  I never, never play along with another choir and musician(s) unless I'm directly extended the invitation to join in.  I think it is very rude .  I wasn't at their rehearsals and hard work and they weren't at mine.  It truly offends and angers me to no end.

Love,
Lisa

[Virtuality]

I feel ya Aaron81 about the competition thingy! I'm like Piano-Lady said, "content with playing for the little country church I'm at." I'm still learning and I pray that when I do get "up there", cause I'm trusting God that I will, that He will keep my spirit humble, because it's all about Him! Another thing I want to add with the competition thing, is why don't musicians want to play at other churches when they see there is no musician in the house? You have to beg somebody to come to the piano....I mean literally beg, and they know they play! This has always bewildered me. Again when I get "up there" I'm gonna play for everybody I can when I see the piano stool empty, they won't have to ask me but once.....lol! It's all about the Glory of God, and we need to realize that. It's not about US (musicians)! My old music teacher told me one time, that if you're playing for a choir, and after the service people come up and tell you how you really raised the roof with your playing, and nothing about how the choir really sang, that you're not doing your job as a musician! It's not about you! It's about the word of God being ministered through songs. Now if you're doing a solo, thats something quite different. Lets us, who realize these things are happening, keep our minds and hearts focused on the Glory of God and not ourselves. Keep me in your prayers Saints!

[kudzu_hill]

ok i agree on what you all are saying and i think everyone is a little guilty of it because even i daydream on how someone might react to some phat chords or phat runs or a song that a choir the sings that really touches me . i have been to choir days and gospel explosions where some of the best musicians with the tightest equipment and some of the best choirs and there where no emotions because they where performing instead of just giving god glory. and to usher gods presents it took about 13 choir members and a old lady and a out of tune baby grang piano and they moved the whole place. so although we may not say it out loud to keep from seeming like we were judging who were really praising god or not but in our minds and by the atmosphere you can just about tell who practice there shout and there speaking in toungs as if they were slayed in the spirit .  the 7th time lol

YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT TYPE OF SPIRIT IN THOSE GATHERINGS, CHURCH MUSICIANS ARW THE WORST WHEN IT COMES TO SHARING / BACKBITING. SECULAR MUSICIANS DON'T DO THAT.
I MYSELF DON'T GO TO THOSE MUSICIALS, FOR THAT SIMPLE FACT. I HAVE TO GO TO ONE THIS WEEKEND AND PLAY "GOD'S GOT A BLESSING" AND "PRAISE IS WHAT I DO". THE CHURCH THAT I PLAY FOR IS CONSIDERED NOT TO BE "ALL THAT"...WHICH IS QUITE SAD AND TYPICAL OF THE BLACK CHURCH ATTITUDE. ALL THE OTHER MUSICIANS WILL BE YOUNGER THAN MYSELF WITH THE EXCEEPITON OF ONE. I WILL PLAY WHAT'S NEEDED AND THAT WILL BE THAT, BUT THE COMPITETION WILL COMMENCE...AND IT'S SAD. IT'S IN OUR NATURE AND THE YOUNG MUSICIANS OF TODAY DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER BECAUSE THAY WERENT SHOWN THE PROPER WAY TO A_C_T. THEY WILL PLAY THE HOTTEST TUNES AND NOT KNOW "HOW GREAT THOU ART" AND IT'S REALLY TOO BAD.

[Virtuality]

I agree with Hammondman. It's this young generation. These young whipper snappers!  :lol: No offense to any young person unless you're guilty of the "show" attitude! I mean if you got it...you got it, but let God get the glory! We need to remember who gave us the talent, and who can take it away! It will never change though I'm afraid because there are too many musicians out there, but if those type people are visitors of this site, then maybe they will read this forum and readjust their thinking, and if the change begins with us, then that's a beginning. Let us not be guilty of this type attitude! God is an "AWSOME" God, he reigns in Heaven and Earth; all we have to do is give the reigns to Him :!:  Be Blessed Saints!  

[Teewanabe]

Our church band is full of top notch professional musicians, whenever we start to get a little to much into it or loud ,we are reined back in by the director. He keeps a constant vigil on our approach and therefore I think in return we know what is in good taste and better for the whole picture and service and not ourselves.  We sometimes get some areas like before the service starts and when it ends to do a little playing off each other. But for the most part , we always try to approach things with a professional and  spiritual attitude  

[kudzu_hill]

i agree with all and i add that the younger musicians should be taught the difference from performing or playing what you might want to play and being led by the spirit. i'm only 20 but i have a couple of teenage cousins they might ask me to play a secular tune that they might have heard me play during church not that theres anything wrong whit that depending on the song, but i try to explain that there is a time and a place for every thing and that you have to follow and flow with the spirit. worst case is when the lord is moving and shouting music is being played then they each try to have a solo, like each musician. now that may be ok for a musicians appreciation or somthing but not when people are being delivered. so i say again let jesus lead you and teach others to do so