Shy Choir Members

[last chance]

I direct at a church where I direct at least 4 different Choir and the common denominator is finding people to lead song's and when they do lead a song it becomes a debt to get to lead it again. Ok so how do I deal with the shyness and unwillingness to sing?

[fmason3]

Do songs without solos. 

[betnich]

Do songs without solos. 

That's what we're doing w/our choir - just starting, until we can develop the voices, and also to avoid the politics of soloists owning "their" songs...

[JoanHall]

Also, you can try to ease them into it with songs where the lead parts have simple tunes and are made to be sung without a lot of dramatics.  As their confidence grows, you can start to do songs with more demanding leads.

I hope and pray that the congregation at your church is supportive toward the choir and any lead singers.

[betnich]

Has anyone tried giving different people lead lines in a song, Like Whoopi does with the choir in "Sister Act"???

[fmason3]

That's what we're doing w/our choir - just starting, until we can develop the voices, and also to avoid the politics of soloists owning "their" songs...

Yeah, I have to have a meeting with all of my soloists about that. 

[betnich]

Also, you can try to ease them into it with songs where the lead parts have simple tunes and are made to be sung without a lot of dramatics.  As their confidence grows, you can start to do songs with more demanding leads.

I hope and pray that the congregation at your church is supportive toward the choir and any lead singers.

Thanks, Joan. The idea started w/me, supported by the Pastor and especially the 1st Lady, but the choir has been supported by many in the congregation.  After all, you can't have a Choir without members! I think people were also inspired by seeing our Children/Youth sing.

Right now we have the Choir sing for special occaisions and on the 1st Sunday, and the Kids' Choir on Youth Sunday, the last Sunday of the month. Both groups practice 1-2 times before their Sunday.

Our Praise Team sings every Sunday, so they rehearse every week...


Thanks for your advice....

[jayhbiz]

What helped me out was when I was put on the praise team. I was cool in the choir w/ no mike in front of me, but I had to get used to singing in the mike & hearing my voice through the speakers. Then my M.O.M. gave me a small solo part in a song, and I wasn't as hesitant to lead a song. Now I'm adlibbing and everything else lol! So just ease them into singing by themselves.

[fmason3]

Bring other people in to lead everything.  They'll get tired of it eventually and speak up.  One of my choirs was like "Mr. Mason, we're tired of you outsourcing all of the solos."  Now I don't have a problem getting anyone to sing a solo. 

[momuzik]

The issue we have - I won't call it shyness; it's more like the singer would feel inadequate feeling like they can't come close to the original artist.
I just tell them "sing within your own ability. If you can't do all the fancy runs and slurs, then don't".

With me, I'll take a solo part and "dumb it down" for the singer if I had to. I'd rather them hit a solid note on key than sing a bunch of runs that are all over the place.

[churchyreal]

The issue we have - I won't call it shyness; it's more like the singer would feel inadequate feeling like they can't come close to the original artist.
I just tell them "sing within your own ability. If you can't do all the fancy runs and slurs, then don't".

This

[sjonathan02]

The issue we have - I won't call it shyness; it's more like the singer would feel inadequate feeling like they can't come close to the original artist.
I just tell them "sing within your own ability. If you can't do all the fancy runs and slurs, then don't".

With me, I'll take a solo part and "dumb it down" for the singer if I had to. I'd rather them hit a solid note on key than sing a bunch of runs that are all over the place.

This.

I have this EXACT problem. I don't riff and run (plus, I find myself having to feed the words to the praise team...which is getting old).

Great advice.

[churchyreal]

I have this EXACT problem. I don't riff and run (plus, I find myself having to feed the words to the praise team...which is getting old).

Me too!

[LyricTenor]

Well, I've noticed most of your leaders came up/were around in the "Jazzspel Gospolympic" era(s).  I pose this challenge to lots of vocalists/singers/what have you:  SING. A. STRAIGHT. NOTE!!

REPLY:   

[fmason3]

Well, I've noticed most of your leaders came up/were around in the "Jazzspel Gospolympic" era(s).  I pose this challenge to lots of vocalists/singers/what have you:  SING. A. STRAIGHT. NOTE!!

REPLY:   

WEAK!!!!

[psilentrain1]

Has anyone tried giving different people lead lines in a song, Like Whoopi does with the choir in "Sister Act"???

We usually let everyone know up front that "you will sing a solo at some point." Its just a matter of getting them there. We use different excercises in rehearsal to develop confidence. i.e. The band will play a groove and one by one, we'll have all of the singers sing whatever comes to their heart. Kind of freestyling. It builds their confidence, and their creativity.

[LyricTenor]

WEAK!!!!

JUST seeing this.  Me or them?

[fmason3]

JUST seeing this.  Me or them?

Neither.  Weak in that context denotes being weak with laughter.  So I was laughing at the fact that they were confused about singing a straight note.

[LyricTenor]

Neither.  Weak in that context denotes being weak with laughter.  So I was laughing at the fact that they were confused about singing a straight note.

Ok, gotcha.  Just needed some clarity.

You REALLY wanna laugh?  Physically watch it in action.