choir singing

[rebecca]

Dear all,

I have a question for choir singers and directors. What do you do about people who have absolutely no musical ear whatsoever and try to sing anyway? What about people who come, say, every other month and step into the choir in the middle of the Anaphora? What is your philosophy on singing? One may argue that singing to the Lord should be open to anyone who feels inspired in that way. In my opinion, though, a terrible choir does a great disservice to the church, and distracts the prayer of the priest and the parishioners.

[Natasha]

I remember a time when you had to more or less "audition" for the church choir. Now it seems like anyone is welcome.
I agree with you, a terrible choir is a bad idea, no matter how good the intentions behind it.

[Justin Kissel]

I'm in favor or congregational singing, regardless of how it sounds. This G.K. Chesterton quote comes to mind: "Once men sang together round a table in chorus; now one man sings alone, for the absurd reason that he can sing better." - Heretics, 16

PS. Just so there's no confusion, I don't think that people who favor choirs are "absurd," I agree with the sentiment of Chesterton, though... certain people being able to sing better is no reason to make them into the only singers.

[Gregory2]

I think you have to give people time to get better. Years ago, when I started singing the bass part, I was mortified if I had to do it alone because I needed someone to tune me. Now, I'm pretty good, can hear my own voice, and am confident doing it alone (I even sing it alone to myself sometimes --- scary stuff ). If I was pushed away when I was "not very good," I wouldn't have become good! Choir directors never had a problem with it, in my experience. I wouldn't but in halfway through Liturgy, though - if I arrived at church late for some reason I'd just not sing that day.

Large, established parishes can afford to turn people away. Small parishes cannot.

I have a hard time with people who don't contribute to the choir and then criticize it for "sounding awful." If you're not part of the solution, you may be part of the problem. Several musically-inclined people I've known have said to me that we all have an innate musical voice -- we just need to realize it. Also, God wouldn't have us sing a cappella music in Church if we couldn't do it.

[bogoliubtsy]

Off topic a bit, but what do you think about paid choir members? i.e. people who may or may not be Orthodox but really only come to church to sing and make a couple of bucks. I know this was/is something that happens in some Russian churches. My former OCA priest also told me that this used to be done at the Synod catherdral in NYC.
Sounds pretty off the mark in my opinion.

[Savva24]

Off topic a bit, but what do you think about paid choir members? i.e. people who may or may not be Orthodox but really only come to church to sing and make a couple of bucks. I know this was/is something that happens in some Russian churches. My former OCA priest also told me that this used to be done at the Synod catherdral in NYC.
Sounds pretty off the mark in my opinion.

Yes, I know that in the NY Cathedral some years ago they hired non-Othrodox and even non-Christians (Jews) to sing in the choir! From what I understand the Bishop (Ilarion, now of Australia) wasn't aware of it but it all stopped when he found out and put an end to it.

Some people in that Cathedral are a little too concerned with pomp for my liking. It seems ridiculous to me. I mean how could the Synod critisize anyone of Ecumenism when we are praying with heretics and non Christians in our main Cathedral? However, I am pretty sure it would not happen now, especially since Bishop Gabriel is there.

In Christ,

Nick (Savva)

[Liudmilla]

I have always felt that everyone should be given the opportunity to sing whether in the choir or just standing in church. I willhowever, admit that an off key choir tends to distract terribly from the beauty of the service and certainly leads to judgemental thoughts.