Instituting section leaders - don’t forget this!
I’ve always wished I could have paid section leaders in the church choirs I work with but have never been in a position of “inheriting” such a situation.
In Practicum today, Ferguson mentioned that in two of his jobs he was the one who instituted the practice. My ears perked up because frankly, I’d rather be stuck in a room full of 3 year olds at nap time than talk a church council into $200-400/week for singers when they don’t pay the rest of the musicians a living wage yet.
Ferg approached the problem this way and I thought it so brilliant I wanted to jump out of my chair and run to a council meeting!
He proposed the positions as scholarships!
The section leaders were auditioned and given scholarships toward voice lessons. They were expected to run sectionals and perhaps coach individuals as well as “lead” the sections. It was made clear that they should not expect to sing all the solos but were expected to be at all rehearsals and services.
At one church he even had the bookkeeper separate out the “wage” from the “continuing education/voice lesson” money as that would be taxed at a different rate.
I think you could probably call the positions “internships” instead of section leaders since their duties would be helping in their musical formation as choir directors, music ed majors, etc.
WHAT A GREAT IDEA! I can’t wait to try it out!
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Spiritual Discipline: Trust 2007
For Your Consideration 2006
Emergency? 2006
I had fun today 2004
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Spiritual Discipline: Trust 2007
For Your Consideration 2006
Emergency? 2006
I had fun today 2004
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Spiritual Discipline: Trust 2007
For Your Consideration 2006
Emergency? 2006
I had fun today 2004
