The choir practice before Church was peculiar. The Choir Director handed out the new song explaining that they were going to sing it for Mother's Day in a few weeks. However, the sheet music was confusing to read. The few loose copied sheets had individual lines for Sop, Alto, and "Mal." Apparently the "e" was cut off from the word "Male." And the person who made the arrangement clearly didn't understand the finer points of using notation software or common musical terms. What was really weird, though, was that the singing lines were all in unison. There was absolutely no need for individual lines for soprano, alto and combined tenor and bass (Men) because there was actually no harmony! And this was a group that liked to sing in harmony.
Then as Church got started, the word was spread that the Choir was going to sing that song for the Special Musical Number THAT day. The undercurrent was also spread that the choir hated that song so much that they just up and decided to sing it immediately to get the ordeal over with. They did not want to ever have to waste choir practice time to work on it again!
Let this be a word of warning to Ward Choir Directors out there. Pay attention to the music you hand out for your choir to sing. Don't insult their intelligence by choosing songs that look like choral works that really aren't. (Unison singing using all the sections may be written in one octave, usually treble clef.) And try to choose music that has been thoroughly proof-read and that use standard musical notations and terminology. That's the least you can do!
There is satisfaction in using music that is WORTH the EFFORT to learn. It can be simple, but it should fit your group. Choirs made up of individuals who have had previous training or at least choral experience may never come back if the music is sub-par. The songs should suit the singers' current abilities and yet push them a little bit beyond to help grow their skills.
It's hard enough to keep a choir going without problems you could avoid!
Here are three Family themed chorals appropriate to use for Mother's Day or Father's Day or any day.
"From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise" SATB and Piano
"I am a Child of God" SSATB a cappella (with optional piano)
"Love at Home" SSATB a cappella (with optional piano)
or for your Women's group:
"Love at Home" SSAA and Piano with 2 flutes
Then as Church got started, the word was spread that the Choir was going to sing that song for the Special Musical Number THAT day. The undercurrent was also spread that the choir hated that song so much that they just up and decided to sing it immediately to get the ordeal over with. They did not want to ever have to waste choir practice time to work on it again!
Let this be a word of warning to Ward Choir Directors out there. Pay attention to the music you hand out for your choir to sing. Don't insult their intelligence by choosing songs that look like choral works that really aren't. (Unison singing using all the sections may be written in one octave, usually treble clef.) And try to choose music that has been thoroughly proof-read and that use standard musical notations and terminology. That's the least you can do!
There is satisfaction in using music that is WORTH the EFFORT to learn. It can be simple, but it should fit your group. Choirs made up of individuals who have had previous training or at least choral experience may never come back if the music is sub-par. The songs should suit the singers' current abilities and yet push them a little bit beyond to help grow their skills.
It's hard enough to keep a choir going without problems you could avoid!
Here are three Family themed chorals appropriate to use for Mother's Day or Father's Day or any day.
"From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise" SATB and Piano
"I am a Child of God" SSATB a cappella (with optional piano)
"Love at Home" SSATB a cappella (with optional piano)
or for your Women's group:
"Love at Home" SSAA and Piano with 2 flutes
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