Over the past 3 decades of working with church music teams, I almost always ask this question: “Who’s the music director in your team?”
Often, I have to ask it because no one person sticks out. Sometimes there’s a hint of one, because people defer to who they hope might have the answers to a music issue. On occasion, when I’ve asked this question, the person who directs rarely owns up to it (through modesty or they’re reluctance to be the “go-to” person), and often he or she is the person left standing “forward” because everyone else took a backward step!!
So what’s a music director?
In short – it’s the person who directs music! I know that’s a little too cute, but at the end of the day, that’s pretty much it. While Leaders of Worship lead and direct the congregation in worship, the Music Director (working with the Worship Leader) is responsible for ensuring that the musicians, singers, and often the sound engineers work as a team to maintain excellence in providing the best possible vehicle for worship.
Here are some of the challenges MDs need to grapple with.
- Often the MD leads worship as well. Not ideal, because you’re leading two groups of people with slightly divergent roles (albeit one purpose). I’m one of those people, and I often find my mind split in two directions which means I don’t function to my optimum in either. This is more out of necessity than choice. People will defer to the person who can find a way forward when you need one.
- They can feel under-skilled, unprepared for the task, and without the necessary musical acumen for the role. I feel for them, because they can silently & courageously carry so much on their shoulders.
- The MD most often is one of the musicians rostered on for the service. They are required to concentrate on playing as well as listening (which all the musicians should be doing!) and they have a limited view of what it sounds like because they are primarily focused on their own playing, with “half an ear” to everyone else.
- Because of their position on stage, what they hear is very biased, which means the Music Directing role is sometimes left to the sound man who may not be skilled in this area. (I’m blessed to have a great sound man who is also a solid muso – but that’s not common!)
There’s other challenges aplenty … and I want to hear from you about yours … but let’s tackle just one this week.
This weekend, I want you to try one key action (More to come!).
Roster yourself off team and stand in the room and make some musical decisions from there. The difference will be amazing!!
Every time I’ve worked with teams, I invite the MD to come and stand with me so they can hear what I’m hearing. It requires them to get someone else to play their instrument, so they can focus on listening, and get the full sound of the band. I ask them to make some observations about the sound and then get them to make some decisions around some big and sometimes subtle changes. Without exception, the MD is stunned by the difference in what they are hearing.
Try it this week or very soon. Let me know what you discover.
What struggles do you or your Musical Directors have? Let me know below and we can grow together.
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