Beyond the Music: Building Community in our musical ensembles, Part V
Building Esprit de Corps in our Choirs
1) Learn names and backgrounds of students
2) Know the singers outside of choir and be aware of their interests and pursuits
3) Travel with the choirs
4) Do Choral Retreats
5) Choral Picnics or Banquets
6) Perform pieces that utilize all the singers/musicians in the program, major works etc.
There is a current that flows in every rehearsal. That current is the overarching feeling, attitude and beliefs about the choir’s disposition for success. This current is the ease of the social relationships, the rapport of the director with the singers and the singers for one another. This current is the perception that everyone has of the worth and value of our shared work that is done in rehearsal and performance. This current, the Esprit de Corps of the group, can be positive or negative. The power of this flow can derail or aid our journey toward musical and interpersonal excellence. In this edition of Beyond the Music we’ll discuss what Esprit de Corps is and how we can intentionally build this in our choirs.
Building a positive Esprit de Corps among the ensemble members unlocks the possibility of our greatest musical and interpersonal successes. Great music making requires great honesty, trust and transparency. Without caring and regard among the members of our groups, great music making will elude us. Beauty and truth are revealed when we plumb the depths of our own humanity, something that is unlikely to occur in an atmosphere of hostility and competition. Without pride in our past accomplishments and confidence that we can achieve worthy endeavors in the future, great goals are not set and big dreams are stifled. We must tend to the relational health of our organizations.
In our busy culture, time is of great value. Many of us struggle to simply pause and enjoy the company of another. In our choirs, our performance goals require us to carefully budget our time and maximize our time on task, the task of building a great performing organization. Unfortunately, a downside of regimented rehearsals is how they keep individual singers from developing significant relationships with other choristers. How then do we shepherd the Esprit de Corp of our groups? Consider greeting each member as they arrive for rehearsal. I have colleagues that have routines in place that allow them to provided ‘mini-voice lessons’ and connect with each member at the beginning of the rehearsal as the group warms up. Consider putting a line on audition forms to record the names of member’s parents/partners, their job and other pursuits. Inquire, with genuine interest, about their pursuits, vocation and passions. You’ll be rewarded with their increased commitment and you’ll enjoy getting to know some compelling people.
Group travel is a great motivator and a way to build community in our ensembles. Not only do groups work hard to get prepared and raise the money to travel, the time together on the trip knits the group together in ways that a rehearsal cannot. Time away from our normal routines and responsibilities opens doors for great conversation and connection. Friendships are made and sustained when we travel together with our choirs.
Retreats are powerful community builders. Each retreat should have times to work on music, times for the members to socialize and get to know each other and times to vision and goal set for the coming season. Retreats don’t have to be overnight or at an exotic location. They can be for a single long evening in a local church, community center or other meeting place. Work together with your choir leadership to plan the schedule for the retreat and remember to plan specific opportunities that include ice breakers, learning member names, goal setting and team building.
Choir picnics and banquets are great times to recognize member contributions and create structured activities where members can connect socially. Potlucks with families invited are popular. Campfires and Smores cookouts are very inexpensive and memorable. At award banquets you can be simply provided paper products and have everyone bring desserts. Any time that people in the choir can simply enjoy being together will build community and raise the positive esprit de corp of the group.
For those of us that have school choirs, collaborative works with all the members of the music program can be excellent end of the year projects. Because of the competitive culture we live in, these collaborative efforts are effective for breaking down the perceived barriers between choral and instrumental programs. Further, they build relationships with colleagues and we share opportunities to build our skill set by directing combined forces outside of our routine. These shared projects are also great public relations events that raise the profile of the program within the community and school.
When people feel connected to one another and their musical ensemble, the potential is great for powerful music making. We must work intentionally and consistently to build the Esprit de Corps in our groups. This is what it an essential element of what it means to go Beyond the Music.
