[HANASHIR:10082] Re: starting a youth singing group (choir)

[Meris <meris...>]

Enthusiasm is the key to doing ANY job well!  However, not many of us really
know our backgrounds.   If one has had a formal music education background,
a degree in teaching, then obviously you will have lots of the skills you
need in both the musicology aspect and the teaching aspect.   If your
background was clarinet performance, though, you're coming from a totally
different place not knowing how to formally play the piano and be able to
play while, perhaps conducting, which is what I do.   There are many
variables to this discussion but if one is truly excited and wants to do
this and has no formal music background I don't see how you can do it
successfully.   You may want to reach out into your congregation and get
help from someone who CAN play very well; I don't mean Jo Shmo who "likes to
play the piano."   Sign up for workshops whether they're from the uahc, acc,
menc, etc. and you will begin to at least see what you NEED in order to do
this.  "If you will it, it is no dream", right?    I really do believe that
an excitement about what you're doing is the first thing that the kids will
pick up on, but you do need to be able to juggle choosing repertoire,
singing, directing, playing and all the administrative stuff that also goes
along with it.   Jump in and get trained and have fun!
Meris Ruzow
meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of H & R Shubert
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2001 1:13 AM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:10081] Re: starting a youth singing group (choir)


A few years back, I was strongly urged to become a choir director, even
though I was convinced that I didn't have sufficient background.  When I
started with a youth choir, I took time to observe choir directors and to
read an excellent book called "Lifeline for Children's Choir Directors,"
both of which helped.  When I became an adult choir director, I took some
workshops and lessons in conducting and spent an average of 4 hours
preparing for each 2 hour rehearsal.  It has taken some time to feel like my
hands are connected with my body, but all in all it has been a successful
experience personally and musically.  So, my point is that enthusiasm does
work, because it drives you to do well and take care of the music and your
members.
Rachelle




------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+