I tell this story for anyone who might be in a similar situation and lamenting the death of some musical dreams. I encourage you to be an optimist and try something different. I have very few colleagues where I live that have the courage to get out of the proverbial church choir box. If you find yourself faced with no other options - bust out of that box, it is so liberating!

my story:

Alas, the main choir that I direct at my church is reevaluating their goals and objectives and the social aspect of the group is going to take priority - not music.

The group has dwindled down to mostly seniors, 20 woman and 5men. They might disappear as an organized group in a few years. Due to some recent challenges and at my request the choir was encouraged to develop a plan, a list of goals, a list of objectives, a 'constitution'.

The result is a 'hymn-choir' that sings an anthem about once a month. The 1.5 hour weekly rehearsals are broken down this way: 40 min hymn rehearsal, 20 break/social time, 30 on anthems.

The majority do not want to be challenged musically and desire an emphasis on social activities and 'leading' the hymns. I suspect the minority who will not be challenged by these goals will be migrating to the pews or into other ensembles.

My hopes for developing the main choir of this church, the 'senior choir', into a solid SATB choir are on the shelf (for now).

With the younger singers and experienced singers sitting in the pews I am venturing into 2 part mixed and some SAB rep for the first time.

What about those singers in the pews - who can't or will not commit to a weekly choir rehearsal? -who find a 'hymn-choir' not very challenging? We are jumping head first into small group music making. There are double quartets, duos, and a pile of instrumentalists popping up everywhere. A talented musician brought his flute on Sunday and asked to play along with a favorite hymn we were singing - excellent!

I encourage you to think in a 'situational' manner. What does your congregation, your location, your culture offer in terms of musical resources? The 50 voice ssaattbb choir your congregation had 30 years ago might be gone but what about that 30 year old oboe player who played in her community orchestra until she moved here and the young married couple that completed their grade 7 in voice about 10 years ago?

Enjoy the challenge and make it work. Caution: there are no paved roads or signs to follow on this journey and finding music...well...

N