WORSHIP LEADERS
UGLY BABIES OR BUILDING TRUCKS ( IN SEARCH OF A VIBRANT REHEARSAL CULTURE ) | Grant Norsworthy
Imagine you ’ re holding your beloved , newborn baby in your arms . I lean in to take a look at your baby and declare , “ Ugh ! Your baby is ugly ! It needs a different face !”
Actually , please DON ’ T imagine that . I would never , EVER do that , no matter how ugly I thought your baby was . If I ever did ( which I wouldn ’ t … ever ) you would be offended - and rightly so .
But if I am the Musical Director ( MD ) of a band and , during rehearsal , I feel the need to suggest a musical or technical change to one of the team members , I am not saying that their “ baby ” is ugly . I am not speaking about their “ baby ” at all ! Yet , it seems that some people are unable to hear it any other way .
Some singers , instrumentalists , and technicians - especially ones of the amateur , church volunteer variety - feel like their singing , playing or tech-ing is their fragile , newborn “ baby ”. It can be very difficult for them to hear any criticism of their “ baby ” because it is so close to them , so precious and it must be carefully protected from any potential damage . Nothing can be said against the baby !
In addition to their general oversensitivity - and having a chunk too much of their identity as a human wrapped up in their ability - many team members are simply unaccustomed to a rehearsal environment that allows for interpersonal input . Especially for those team members who have never been formally trained - perhaps being mainly or entirely self-taught - they are simply not used to it ! They ’ ve never had anyone lean into their singing , playing or tech-ing and suggest a change - let alone tell them how they can improve what they ’ re doing .
As a result , during the typical church band rehearsal , there is rarely anything said - especially anything specific and focused on an individual ’ s singing , playing , or tech-ing - by the MD or anyone else . We don ’ t necessarily believe that every team member is oversensitive and holding onto their ability like it ’ s their baby , but the thinking seems to be something like , “ Just in case someone is , better not risk it with anyone !” This - mixed with the , “ They ’ re volunteers so I can ’ t make any demands ” - syndrome leaves many MD ’ s as mere figureheads - a “ leader ” in name only but with no power to lead .
This passive , non-interactive , come-as-you-are , whatever-you-bring-is-good-enough rehearsal environment is a killer . Completely uninspiring for the team members and the congregation . A team with this rehearsal environment will never progress . But if you want your team to be improving as a whole - made up of individuals who are bringing their “ A ” game every time - there must be a very different rehearsal culture .
What ’ s your team ’ s rehearsal environment like ? Is there a clear and vibrant desire to produce the best possible musical and technical outcome ? To accept new challenges , improve from the current standard and interact with each other to that end ? Or is it pretty much working with whatever ’ s served up from each individual , with very little or no communication between team members about musical and technical improvements ?
It ’ s my strong belief that the best results from your team will be achieved when there is a culture of interaction rather than isolation - especially in the rehearsal setting . If we establish and maintain a rehearsal environment where it is not only okay , but expected that comments regarding our singing , playing and tech-ing will be made , improvements to the overall standard will follow . Suggested , requested , or even directed changes to what team members are doing or how they ’ re doing it - from the MD and maybe others too - should be common and well received .
Of course , these challenging statements should be delivered well - kindly , lovingly , supportively , surrounded by encouragement and meaningful compliments and with a smile - but going deeper with that topic should be the subject for another article another time .
In reality , people can sometimes be insecure , oversensitive and easily offended . Musicians even more so . It sometimes seems to me that Church musicians can be at another whole level of oversensitivity . Some may not be able to receive criticism at all - even if it ’ s delivered well and is intended to build up the individual , improve the team ’ s overall presentation and bring about a better outcome .
Here ’ s the kicker : The abilities we have - our singing , playing or tech-ing - are not who we are . We are not - or should not be - defined by what we are capable of doing , or not doing . None of us have arrived in this of course . Ultimately , our true identity is found - and only found - in the life , death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ . But you , me , and every member of your team is still in process in this regard . We are still resistant to finding our full identity in The Cross . Still scratching to find our personal value in “ the things of this earth ”.
We ought not be surprised if some people don ’ t like the MD ’ s guidance . Better communication techniques and other practices can be put in place to minimize the chances of offence , but I don ’ t think the possibility of some ruffled feathers every now and again can ever be eradicated completely . Not this side of eternity anyway .