[HANASHIR:15414] Re: choir members miss rehearsals. What to do

[Carol Boyd Leon <cbleon...>]

My adult volunteer choir members also miss rehearsals for similar reasons; 
in addition, like you, I have one teenager in the group and she has school 
commitments plus she needs me to drive her to and from rehearsals.

I put up with it, and gladly.  I figure that the only way to maintain a 
volunteer choir is to make the members feel welcome and appreciated even if 
they miss some rehearsals and therefore miss learning some of the music and 
slow things down a bit.  If certain choir members really aren't prepared for 
a performance or service and can't readily wing it, they could always opt 
out of performing that evening, but at least they're still part of the group 
and can help out the next time.  However, I try to provide them with 
practice tapes of the songs that are more challenging so they can practice 
on their own.  I also take into account the fact that there are bound to be 
absences which would affect the group's ability to master difficult music 
and I consider that when making my music selections.

I figure that there are several reasons for having a volunteer choir.  One, 
of course, is to present wonderful music that enhances the worship 
experience.  But another is to provide the choir members with a musical link 
to their synagogue and to their fellow congregants.  (I'm the only 
noncongregant in the group, but I feel fortunate that they tend to treat me 
as one.)  So I'd be extremely reluctant to chastise a member for not showing 
up or ask them to leave the group.

Indeed, I've never asked them to report to me why they're absent or late but 
am always pleasantly surprised by how many of them (there are more than 20 
in the group) take the time to email or phone me to explain.  And I must say 
that I tend to think their reasons for being absent are usually valid ones; 
I figure that  those who place work commitments and family before volunteer 
choir commitments are acting quite reasonably.

Basically, they all try to do what they can.  I've asked the group to sing 
at the first Shabbat service in a brand new interfaith chapel currently 
being built at a large retirement community to make it an especially 
memorable Shabbat for the residents.  The location and the time are very 
inconvenient for several of the choir members and the service (Reform) and 
accompaniment (guitar) will be unfamiliar to them (they're from a 
Conservative shul).  But almost all of them are willing to do this mitzvah 
anyway.  These are good folks who are doing what they can and they know how 
much I appreciate all their effort.

I think that your providing for more weeks during which they can learn the 
music is a good idea.  Keeps the pressure off of everyone!

-- Carol

Carol Boyd Leon
Songwriter/Cantorial Soloist/Music Educator
E-mail:  CBLeon (at) hotmail(dot)com
Phone:  703-250-0554
Web page:  http://www.geocities.com/CBoydLeon




----Original Message Follows----
From: "Rabbi Richard Schachet" <LVRabbi (at) cox(dot)net>
Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Subject: [HANASHIR:15411] choir members miss rehearsals. What to do
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 19:25:38 -0700

Have a question that perhaps you can help us with--

We have a 12 voice all volunteer choir with a professional outstanding music 
director and Cantor.

On more than one occasion, some of our choir members have missed practice.  
Why--
"I had to help my married daughter pack for her trip back home"--"We have 
family in town"-- "I have to work late"

Also we have a 16 year old in the choir-- Outside of her menopausal actions 
sometimes that go along with being a teen ager, she can never stay for the 
entire rehearsal..  She has school early in the morning and must leave 
rehearsal at 8:00 PM-  It usually lasts until 9:30.. so she does not get the 
full rehearsal in.  She is also one who misses some rehearsals completely.  
I am thinking of requesting no teen agers for next year for the adult choir. 
  Also requesting that the choir member make a commitment to all of us.  If 
they miss even one rehearsal they can miss 3 or 4 numbers.

Also next year we are starting rehearsal for High Holidays in June-- This 
year we started in August.  Much to late and I feel the pressure--

I am actively involved in going over the music with my music staff-- since I 
like to choreograph the service in my mind before  we even walk out on the 
bima.

This is one of the reasons, with all my faults, my pulpit is different and 
good.


Rabbi Richard I Schachet
Valley Outreach Synagogue

The past has a vote, not a veto.  M. M.Kaplan z'l

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