Advertise on ChoralNet
lumbar support for singersDate: September 3, 2009 by Jeanne Elmes
 Does anyone know of lumbar support cushions to put in our choir pews to encourage the singers to sit properly for singing? We've been using flat, cushioned chairs, but the vestry now wants to remove the chairs and put the old pews back. The slight downward slant of the wooden pews cause the singers to sit "comfortably", i.e. in a somewhat slouched position, with horrible singing posture. Sitting on the front edge of the pews while singing is not easy because of the slant in the pew seat. Any suggestions? The vestry said I could purchase some sort of cushion or cushions to alleviate the problem.
thanks for any help. Replies (8): Threaded | Chronological
Charles Q. Sullivan on September 3, 2009 9:25am
Since you already have chairs, and they apparently are working well, why don't you voice a strong opinion to your vestry that:
1. You are lucky to have a choir, and the church should support those generous volunteers in any way possible.
2. Chairs are preferable for singers for any number of physical, vocal, fatigue reasons, including space flexibility.
3. The expense of installing pews, providing cushions that will be a continual irritation to try to correct a problem that does not currently exist, will be unnecessary and ill-advised.
4. Whatever problems the vestry has with the pews -- and their reasons for wanting to replace the chairs -- might be mitigated if they were willing to take the time to experience both seating options from the standpoint of a choir member.
Your expertise should be respected in this regard.
Charles Q. Sullivan
Jeanne Elmes on September 4, 2009 5:12am
Thanks very much for the strong supportive words. The pews to be moved in are already there waiting to be moved back in. I've fought this battle before. The chairs served a dual role - better support for my singers and maintaining a flexible space for instrumentalists when we have them - i.e. university groups coming in for special services and our annual arts series. The pews are waiting to be returned and bolted down for safety. Our flexible space will also be gone.
It is important to have responses from other musicians like you. Thank you once again.
Jeanne Elmes
Director of Music
St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church
Morgantown, WV
on September 3, 2009 2:18pm
Dear Jeanne,
I have purchased lumbar pillows at local auto parts stores. They're inexpensive ($10 or thereabouts), and would work fine for your application.
Peace,
Jim Lunsford
Director of Choirs
The Latin School of Chicago
on September 4, 2009 5:15am
Thank you, Jim,
Having gathered a few responses from people with ideas, I can respond to the vestry. Even though lumbar support was suggested by the vestry as a remedy to the problem of singer's posture in the slanted pews, I'm quite sure that the problem lies in exchanging the flat-seated chairs for the slanted-seat wooden pews. I appreciate your suggestion of the lumbar pillows bought cheaply from the auto parts store.
thank you
Jeanne Elmes
Director of Music
St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church
Morgantown, WV
on September 4, 2009 7:22am
You may find this seat wedge, from Fitter, to be helpful.
Fitter also has some seat discs, but on the face of it they would seem less likely to counteract specifically the slant in the pew seat.
Caveat: I'm not a choral director, haven't ever paid much attention to flat seats vs. pews (despite spending quite a lot of time sitting in each!), and haven't used this wedge. I've used Fitter balance products though with great satisfaction.
on September 4, 2009 9:53am
I wholeheartedly agree with Charles' points, esp. #1, as we all know church choirs require tremendous dedication on the part of the volunteer singers. If you must have pews, lumbar supports won't solve the problem of the slant, but the wedge type will. Another one is "tush cush" or "car cush". these are brand names. If you google, you'll find sources for these and other brands. I have used one in my car for years.
|
Help support ChoralNet by buying via these links
|
