Saturday, February 7, 2009

Ward Choir: a commentary

Ah that quirky phenomenon known as ward choir. I recently had the pleasure of being called as the director. I suddenly have a new respect for those blessed with this assignment. I know that I usually have some strong feelings about ward choir...and it turns out the rest of the ward usually does too. It seems to me to be a unique entity in the church. Let us get in the frame of mind for a moment that each choir practice is a meeting. An organization in the church is getting together to prepare for an event (singing in church) just like activities committee except we get to have more fun because we get to sing to prepare. I'm a pretty experienced meeting goer, and I must say that of all the meetings I have attended, I have noticed a general trend that as far as meetings go, the strongest feelings are elicited in choir! People who wouldn't say a word in ward council, will speak up with passion in choir. Please don't get me wrong, I admire passion! Given a choice I would take a passionate meeting over a boring meeting. I love choir, I'm enjoying the calling and as a relatively inexperienced choir director, I usually appreciate the input. I'm just wondering what it is about choir that ignites this flame inside people? Is it the personality type that choir attracts? Is it the passion of the music? Is it the fact that people are usually a little hungry due to the extra hour at church? I really don't have an answer. Do you agree and/or have an opinion?

2 comments:

~Emily~ said...

Hey missy! Oh my gosh, you are far too hilarious.

My vote is that people are hungry...;)

P.S. are you wearing Cabbage Patch Kid glasses as a baby? My brother & I would wear those ALL the time!!

Ashley Bybee Stepp said...

I think in a single's ward choir, it is a place where they are looking to be noticed by the opposite gender. There is something so appealing about checking the other sex out during choir practice. More appealing, I would say, than flirting at other meetings. So, passion arises in the hopes that someone might see them as more than just the person in their other meetings.