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Choir Handbook
As I was looking through and compiling information for our choir handbook, I came across an introductory statement that I thought very true and profound. Try as I might I just could not think of a better way of introducing this handbook. I truly believe every word that he states. This man is truly a man of God.
Welcome to the FBC Gladewater Music Ministry “and more importantly, welcome to the world of being a “lead worshipper.” I believe that God has a specific purpose for your life and how He has gifted you. Ephesians, chapter 4, teaches us that God has redeemed us and gifted us to serve within the Body of Christ. What could be more fun than fulfilling the purpose that God has set you apart to do? In the Old Testament, God would “set-apart” musicians to lead in the temple worship. God is still “setting apart” people today and gifting them to serve in His church. We have been “set apart” for just that purpose. There is a huge difference between “volunteers” and “the called”. If you see yourself merely as a “volunteer”, the following pages will be “enlightening” to you. I’m not sure it’s possible for a volunteer to commit to the things that are in the following pages. I’m convinced that only a person, gifted and called by God will be able to fulfill these expectations, or better yet, would even desire to. As you read the following pages, pray about your calling. This promises to be a great year of worship and leading our people each Sunday and opportunity we have. I am excited to be serving with you! Let’s agree together and say “yes” to what God has for us this year!”
In light of the choirs “calling” to use their gifts for God, we should strive to bring others to God’s realm. Worship can be many different things, but music possesses a unique way of making people “feel” the spirit of the Lord. The purpose of the FBC Gladewater Music Ministry is to make those in the congregation feel what we are experiencing in our walk with Christ. To bring those people into a place of “Worship.”
A successful program is one that has strong leadership. The choir needs to have strong leadership in all aspects of the program, whether it be at home, or in a public situation. The program will not grow until God is satisfied that we have a heart to worship him, and are leading the church to “the foot of his throne.” Everyone in the choir is a leader. We, as a whole, lead people to his Awesome Glory. We need to strive to be a leader in everything we do, and to remember that, one of the most important aspects of being a leader is to know and accept when you need help in any given situation.
Choir as Fellowship
Although choir is a time for us to prepare our voice and hearts to lead worship for the congregation, it should also be a time of fellowship, and support.
The Bible says:
Mathew 18:20
20”For where two or three come together in my
name, there am I with them."
As a choir we pray for each other, share needs, and have occasional fellowship events outside of our Wednesday and Sunday commitments. We should treat these fellowship the same as we would a choir rehearsal. These times of fellowship are a way to gather together in Christ's name, and become closer as a group to better serve the Lord. As a choir member we should seek to encourage and build up one another in times of need.
11"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."
The definition of excellence is “doing the very best you can with what you have.” This is what we are committed to do. While we are not after perfection, we are to be totally committed to excellence. Why would we want to bring anything less before God than the very best we can do!? As a member of this ministry YOU should be committed to excellence.
Being a Team Player
This is an important aspect of leadership. You should be able to support, follow, and trust the leadership of this church and this ministry. Part of being a team player means if you ever come to a point of “mistrust” or have a question about a decision or action, you should take it to the leadership of that ministry. That doesn’t mean that you should always agree with every decision that is made. However the important thing is how you handle your “disagreeing.” Discussing it with other choir members is never a good thing and it ultimately hurts the entire group when handled in this way. The best way to handle this situation is to go to the source of your problem, or if you do not feel comfortable enough that you will not go in anger, ask a section leader or the director to assist you.
The Bible Says:
Mathew 18:15-22
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of
you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen,
take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony
of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if
he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax
collector. 18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19"Again, I tell you that if
two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my
Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with
them." 21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive
my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus answered, "I tell
you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
While this is talking about sinning against others, the same should be said about our grievances. If we gossip or do not go to the source of the problem, it only serves to escalate the situation. Are we not wronging them by not giving them a chance to explain their situation? We want our ministry to serve the Lord, and lift our praises to him. Can we truly worship in our hearts, if we are harboring resentment!?
Faithfulness in Ministry
Because choir is a ministry, faithfulness is important. A choir member cannot be faithful if he spreads himself too thin. Commitment to choir should be considered fully when one is asked to make other ministry commitments at church, just as one should carefully consider other ministry commitments before joining choir.
Rehearsal Attendance
We must be accountable to each other regarding rehearsals. It doesn’t make much sense to not come to rehearsals and then expect to be fully prepared to lead in worship on Sunday morning or for a production. We value rehearsal attendance. As a member of the FBC Gladewater Music Ministry, you are expected to be punctual and at all rehearsals, performances, worship services, etc. Realizing situations will arise that will keep you away; we simply ask that you contact your section leader or Jason, so we can know how to minister and pray for you.
If a singer must be absent for a rehearsal, he/she should notify his/her section
leader. The section leader will report to the director who will be missing prior to
the rehearsal or service.
If a singer is absent without having reported it beforehand, he/she will be called
by his/her section leader. This is partly to encourage faithfulness and partly to keep
the choir informed about any needs he/she may have with which the choir could be
of some help.
If a singer has not attended 2 out of the last 3 rehearsals previous to the Sunday
that the choir sings, he/she is asked to seriously consider whether or not he/she
should sing. It is not likely that he/she knows the music or the interpretation being
made by the director. When a member is absent from rehearsals it not only affects
the person who has not attended, but the entire choir. Having to rehearse with
missing members changes the sound and effectiveness of the piece. It is not fair to
the other choir members to have to readjust on the day of a performance because
of another choir member who was unable to attend rehearsal.
If a singer's attendance rate is consistently low, he/she must question either
his/her commitment to choir or his/her ability amidst their life circumstances to be
in choir. As stated above, it doesn’t make much sense to say you feel called to a
ministry and then not to carry out that calling. Or if you truly believe you are called
to be in this ministry, maybe Christ is “calling” you to take care of another
situation for the time being.
Good Excuses for Missing Choir
I am sick.
Someone in my family who needs me is sick.
I’ll be out of town
My job requires me to be gone.
There is a problem in my family I must deal with.
Poor Excuses for Missing Choir
I am too tired.
I know the coming anthems pretty well.
I'll be gone on the coming Sunday.
I am not a very important member.
I overslept.(for 8:30 service)
I want to get home early. (for 10:45 service)
 Rehearsal
Understanding that situations do arise that could keep you from serving on a particular rehearsal or Sunday, you are expected to lead in worship every Sunday that you are able to serve. The church was created and designed by the Lord Jesus Christ to be a place of service for Christians. It’s not a place to serve whenever it’s convenient or “feels” right. If there is a Sunday you know you will be gone or unable to serve, just call your section leader or Jason, and let us know. Again, we would love to know how to pray for you and minister to you, as you are away or sick.
Special Performances
For special performances the choir member must be at 80% of all rehearsals. If there are special circumstances, these should be addressed with the director, and a final decision will be made. All dress rehearsals are mandatory.
Music Care
In order to take good care of expensive music and to run an orderly choir library please take care of your music in the following manner.
Each choir member is assigned a folder and a folder slot where he keeps his
folder. The choir member is responsible and accountable for the music in his
folder.
Rehearsal markings can be made in the music in lead pencil. In fact, choir
members are encouraged to mark their music. A pencil should be brought to
every rehearsal, and all instructions made by the director should be written in
the music.
A folder as a whole (not individual pieces) may be taken home, if it will be
used at home during the week. Otherwise, it is to be left at church to reduce
wear and tear on music and folders. Choir members who are able are
encouraged to work on their music at home.
Books and booklets should not be folded back along the spine to mark a page.
Page numbers may be written on the front if necessary. If paper clips are used to
mark pages, please remove them before turning in the music.
Music is to be turned in promptly on the rehearsal following the Sunday after
the choir is finished. If you know that you will be missing an upcoming rehearsal,
please turn in the music that is scheduled for that day ahead of time.
Folders and folder slots should be kept free of materials not related to choir.
These items may be removed at the director’s discretion.
Name tags or any other stickers are not to be stuck to choir folders.
The primary goal of a rehearsal is to glorify God by making careful preparation for ministry. The choir has only a small amount of practice time each week. For this reason it is important that rehearsals are conducted as efficiently as possible. While a certain amount of levity characterizes our enjoyment of each other, unnecessary talking and inattentiveness work against a good rehearsal. Each choir member should try to make the most out of every practice and keep in mind the primary goal of rehearsal. The following is asked:
Ask section leader if you have any
overdue music
Pick up any necessary materials on the
choir table
Be in your seat and ready to start
rehearsal at 7:00 P.M.
Keep a pencil in the folder and mark all
changes and interpretations given by the
director.
Keep talking to a minimum.
Be attentive so that instructions do not have to be repeated.
Do not be afraid to ask for a part to be played or reviewed. It is most likely there
are others who need to cover it as well.
Do not be afraid to make suggestions about music. The director will consider all
suggestions and make the final decision.
Section Leaders
The responsibilities of section leaders and their assistants are as follows:
Check the attendance sheet after each practice and service for persons absent or
tardy from your section.
Call all absentees who did not call in ahead of time.
Make yourself aware of spiritual or physical needs of section members and share
those with the director as appropriate.
Work to build unity within your section.
Help new members make a good adjustment to choir.
Assign choir buddies to new members in your section
Choir Buddies
Each new choir member will be assigned to a choir buddy who will help the new member to learn the choir procedures and assist the new member in his adjustment to choir. Choir buddies will be responsible for new members for one month from the time they join. The responsibilities of choir buddies are:
Have the new member fill out a choir information page.
Give the new member a handbook and go over the material with the new
member.
Sit with the new member for at least the first practice.
Call the new member after the first practice.
Contact the new member in a meaningful way for the first four weeks of his
choir experience.
 Financial Support
The major funding for the operations of the church and its programs comes from the contributions of its members and friends. In lieu of tuition for choir participants, we require a solid faithful commitment of time, energy, and talent. We do also ask that all persons and families involved in the choir program consider making a financial contribution of $10 per family per year to the choir to help us offset the cost of choir functions, sending flowers to the sick and bereaved, etc. This is only a suggestion and is in no way mandatory.
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