Set an Example in Morale

I’m gonna start today with a warning or disclaimer. Here’s the reason: when I thought of ways I can serve my choir, it overwhelmed me. A lot of these things are on auto-pilot. That may be the only way to handle it. I certainly didn’t do all these things in my first directing job. They’ve been added gradually over the years. Some directors delegate things, too. And I’m not perfect; I have great intentions, but things don’t always go the way I plan.

I’ll break this up into several areas and cover just one of them today:
morale, administration, musicality, and spirituality.

Morale (how can I serve my choir in this area and set an example for them?)
*energy (no matter how tired I might be)
*cheerfulness (regardless of negative things in my life)
*organization (how discouraging it would be for them if I didn’t know what we were going to sing or where the music could be found) (in fact, something I need to work on is making sure there really are enough copies for everyone; sometimes we’re short 1 or 2)
*understanding (when folks must miss a rehearsal or come late)
*caring (about their personal lives; this includes prayer/ Birthday, Get Well or Sympathy cards/ a meal if they’ve had surgery or a death in the family…)
*pointing out what they’re doing right
*choosing music that challenges them, knowing when to back off with an easier piece
*fellowship times

Some directors pick up CDs of great music and once a month or more will tape one to the bottom of a chair to surprise whoever sits there. In my choir, the chairs are in place and the same person sits there. We’d have to draw names or something.

I try to pick up cards at the thrift stores, and keep them with pen and stamps in my file area so if someone is missing we can pass it around to be signed and get it right in the mail.

Most of the things listed are up to the director simply to model. Others can be encouraged. Like asking for volunteers to get a meal over to so-and-so. Or asking who’d be willing to call this person who was missing tonight and make sure they’re okay.

Can you add ideas to this? I’d love to hear them!