Good News, Bad News and Coaching the Coach

Well, John got the good news he has been hoping for. He was released today as Ward Choir Director. I, on the other hand, got some news I was not expecting. I am now the new Ward Choir Director. Some people might think that's kind of funny, but that would not make them very nice people. :)

Needless to say, I have been a little stressed all day. I don't know the last time I actually sang in a Ward Choir. It's possible I have sung in one or two since I've been married, but I don't have a clear recollection. I'm also very aware of all the things I don't know. I know, for example, that choirs like to warm up before practicing. I don't know, though, what exactly they do or why exactly they do it. I know there are sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. I can't just pick their parts out when listening to the music, I'm not sure who stands where when they perform, and I don't even know for sure what I am (soprano is too high, alto is too low, I think that makes me a second soprano, but who knows). I know that you don't want your choir to sing flat, but I don't know if I'll recognize "flat" when I hear it, and I don't know what to do about it even if I did notice it. And lastly, I seriously considered changing majors at BYU when I found out I had to sing a solo in my elementary music methods class. I definitely do not intend to show the choir how different parts are supposed to sound.

So, all these thoughts have been going through my mind throughout the day. However, in the middle of sacrament meeting, I found myself evaluating my "state of mind" (a coaching technique I'm supposed to use when I engage in conversations with other teachers -- I am actually surprised that this kicked in considering my state of mind). I realized my problem is what is considered to be low "craftsmanship," meaning I am stressed because I don't think I have the skills needed for the calling.

Amazingly, that thought has been quite helpful because I realized that if I can figure out the answer to some of these technical questions, maybe life will be a little less stressful. I don't know if any of you have ever looked, but there are some cool sites on the web when you google "ward choir director." I have found a site with tutorial videos on how to bring in a choir, stop the choir, conduct a fermata, etc. I also found a site which talks a little bit about the technical side of singing (breathing, singing from your phalynx or some such thing, etc.). This does not really make a lot of sense to me, but I figure that's what John is for! The funny thing is that he was stressed two years ago when he got this calling because though he knew a lot about singing in a choir, he couldn't read music. I can read music, but I know nothing about singing in a choir. I guess we both get to help each other through this calling.

Anyway, if any of you have any suggestions, favorite choir numbers (that are not too difficult), or anything else to add, please do so. I think I'm going to need as much help as I can possibly get.