1) Public Thank You’s
2) Honoring graduates
Choral organizations benefit when they excel at celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of their greatest contributors. For many, a simple ‘thank you’ or ‘atta boy’ is be a powerful motivator. Knowing that their contributions to an organization are appreciated provide all the incentive many need to redouble their efforts on behalf of the group. They will work hard and invest their time and energy in the choir because they know their contribution make a difference. Go out of your way to say ‘thanks’ when it is deserved. Take a look around at all the little things that people do to make your shared experience in the choir positive and uplifting. Write a note to a principle, parent or accompanist and share specifically how someone’s contribution has made the choir stronger, happier, healthier, more musical or the like.
At important times of transition, like graduation, the best choral organizations recognize the contributions of their members that are moving on. These public celebrations have a multitude of benefits. This provides a great way to positively remember the shared experiences. Celebrations allow the community to reflect on the growth of their members. These activities give younger members exciting opportunities to anticipate in years to come. There are many ways we can honor graduating musicians. We could give out roses at the final concert of the year to all graduating seniors. We can have plaques in the choir room that honor the contributions of outstanding musicians, soloists, improvisers, leaders and servants. We can put together a montage of photos from the ‘choir years’ we’ve shared. Graduating members can perform solo materials of their choice or in an ensemble of graduates at the final concert. A portrait of all graduates can be taken to reside in the choir room. We can and should do an excellent job of publicly acknowledging the musical and non-musical accomplishments of the ensemble members.
