Hello, Song Leaders!<\/p>\n
Here are some answers to some of your most frequently-asked questions.<\/p>\n
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Q.\u00a0 What if I\u2019m scheduled as a trainee but I really don\u2019t feel ready to sing?<\/strong><\/p>\n A.\u00a0 No problem at all.\u00a0 We will have you paired with a veteran Song Leader (and we have many veterans on standby).\u00a0 As a trainee, you are free to ease into the role at a pace that feels right for you.\u00a0 You can ask for all of the help you need, and if you don\u2019t feel ready to lead song, you can ask the rehearsal leader to assign the singing to your Song-Leader partner.\u00a0 You can observe and take on song leadership when you feel ready.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Q.\u00a0 What happens at rehearsal and how much preparation is expected?<\/strong><\/p>\n A.\u00a0\u00a0 Rehearsals are a time when the Song Leaders, Deacon(s), Shruti-box Player, and Percussionist work through their various roles under the guidance of the Rehearsal Leader.\u00a0 The service has lots of moving parts, and rehearsals allow us to practice various points in the service so that they flow as well as possible.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, let\u2019s rehearse the beginning of the service through the end of the gathering hymn.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a fun, no-pressure environment, and you\u2019ll quickly get a sense of the support all around you.\u00a0 You can help your teammates by putting in whatever preparation you can ahead of time.\u00a0 You\u2019ll get more out of rehearsal that way.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t had time to prepare, no worries.\u00a0 Come to rehearsal, and the Rehearsal Leader will work with you and depending on how it goes, she might assign you a minimal role or ask you to observe during the service.<\/p>\n Song leaders and Deacons have reported that rehearsals have awakened a deeper sense of intentionality within them.\u00a0 They discover how leadership that holds the group\u2019s learning lovingly, invites all to participate, and models shared authority makes the service into a deeply spiritual experience.\u00a0 The skills we practice during rehearsal are skills we take out into the world. \u00a0For a more detailed picture, see\u00a0What Song Leaders Work on During Rehearsal<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Q.\u00a0 What are those meetings that the Rehearsal Leader and Song Leaders, Deacons, and Shruti-box Players have after the service?<\/strong><\/p>\n A.\u00a0 After the service, the Rehearsal Leader gathers the team for a quick \u201cWhat did you notice?\u201d session.\u00a0 These last seven minutes (and we usually use a stop watch to make sure we don\u2019t go over the allotted time).<\/p>\n By asking, \u201cWhat did you notice?\u00a0 What did you learn?\u201d we cultivate a mindful attention to all of the things that happen during a service, big and small.<\/p>\n Here are the kinds of things we might notice:<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed that I had no idea what pitch to start the prayer song on, but that another Song Leader nearby leaned over and helped me out.\u00a0 It was nice to be reminded of all the support I have around me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI notice that this is not the greatest shirt to wear when song leading because it restricts the range of my arm motions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed that it might have helped to repeat the song a few times before splitting the congregation into halves and starting a round.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed, when it was too late to stop, that I started the procession into the dining room before everyone had a lit candle.\u00a0 So I\u2019m going to remember that next time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed that I had to sing louder when we got into a big circle because there were people on the far side of the room who seemed to be struggling to hear me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed how the group really loves to sing!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q.\u00a0 What if I make a mistake or space out when I\u2019m leading a song?<\/strong><\/p>\n A.\u00a0 It happens to all of us, so don\u2019t worry.\u00a0 Mistakes are actually great moments for modeling grace for the whole congregation.<\/p>\n One thing that helps is to know that you can take things at your own pace.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, hold on.\u00a0 I started on the wrong note.\u00a0 What is it?\u00a0 Can someone help me?\u00a0 Thanks!\u00a0 Let\u2019s try again.\u201d\u00a0 To speak those words with a loving and graceful self-forgiveness tells everyone, especially newcomers, that Saint Lydia\u2019s is a place of mutual learning and support, not a competition where everything must be executed perfectly.\u00a0 By modeling grace and learning, we make a broad invitation to all.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q.\u00a0 I love singing, but I don\u2019t think I have the greatest voice.\u00a0 What should I do?<\/strong><\/p>\n A.\u00a0 Song leading only requires singing the songs so that the words and melody are clear to the congregation.\u00a0 Furthermore, by offering your voice in leadership, you are saying something important to the group.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone belongs here.\u00a0 It\u2019s a place of learning, not an American Idol competition.\u201d<\/p>\n Your Rehearsal Leader will help you feel more confident in your singing.\u00a0 Let your voice be heard and you will encourage and empower others!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q.\u00a0 One of the Rehearsal Leaders has a gap between his front teeth.<\/strong><\/p>\n A.\u00a0 That was not formed as a question, so we will not dignify it with a response!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q.\u00a0 I have a song I want to teach the congregation (one that\u2019s not on the menu of options).\u00a0 May I bring it in to teach?<\/strong><\/p>\n A. \u00a0See our special page on this: \u00a0Songs for Saint Lydia’s \u2014 How We Choose Our Repertoire<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n