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Great topic, Marshall. It varies from place to place. But, it basically falls into three categories:
1) The Director/Worship Leader picks all of the songs and no questions asked;
2) The Director/Worship Leader picks all of the songs, but is open to suggestions; and,
3) The group or worship team gets together once a month and pick the songs together (this includes pizza or deli sandwiches with drinks [sodas, no booze] bought by the Church).
Needless to say, number #3 is the best, but rare. Most of the time it's #1 and on occasion #2.
The only rule that I've encountered is, "Does the song fit the theme of the service." The opening and closing song are a little faster due to the cadence of the ministers either walking in or out.
This is the first time I have ever heard of a twelve-week rule. It's also the first time, I've heard of a tempo rule (The first 3 fast, etc.). But then, she is the leader so it's her call. As one famous sax repair person says, "If they don't play the instrument, they just don't understand." And, if your leader only sings, and doesn't play an instrument, then we have the picture. It's a one-way street. But, this is the hand we are dealt sometimes.
This block of 140 songs is also new. We may have as many songs throughout the year, but they are sectioned off in smaller blocks specific to the season of the Church and theme of the gospel readings. For example: Christmas, Easter, and so on. We also take on about ten or twenty new songs every year, sometimes more than that, depending on what is available.
As an aside, in some situations, one of the problems that we instrumentalist encounter with leaders that just sing, is that all of the attention is focused on the singers. The instrumentalist is kind of left out on their own. The choir warms up, no instruments. Then the choir goes through a song and the instrumentalist get to play. Then they work on parts; SATB and the instrumentalist just sit there till the choir gets it together. Then the choir will do the song one more time at rehearsal and the instrumentalist get to play the song one more time. 90% is spent on the singers and 10% is spent on the instruments. With this kind of situation reading off the sheet is the norm and if one feels inspired to improvise, so be it. But there is very little time for free expression. The way around this is to take a tape recorder and tape it and then practice and noodle at home. During the week, it's the best rehearsal of all, with no interruptions.
Although, you are not griping, it appears that your comfort level could use some help. If you are a volunteer, don't feel obligated to play "every" song. Play what is within your comfort range. If they want an explanation, tell them you are going for a dynamic instead of having the same instrumentation in "every" song. This will also allow the other instrumentalist to stretch out when you are not playing and hopefully they will give you some space when you do play. Tell them that you don't want to "horn in" all the time.
The key is to get the songs before the rehearsal. Just because they call it rehearsal doesn't mean that it is rehearsal for the instrumentalist. Most of the time under these circumstances, it's rehearsal for just the singers. Ironically, you have to be rehearsed before "rehearsal," then you get to sit there and watch the singers rehearse.
There is nothing wrong in kicking it down to every other week, if it is going to increase your comfort level. The more comfortable you are the better you will play.
Get the songs way before hand and take control of your comfort range. Or you can do what I do, find another group that understands instrumentalist and are willing to work with them.
Also, as an aside: If you are not there every week, then the weeks that you are there become special for both you and the congregation and you are not taken for granted.
Just my two cents... and
1) The Director/Worship Leader picks all of the songs and no questions asked;
2) The Director/Worship Leader picks all of the songs, but is open to suggestions; and,
3) The group or worship team gets together once a month and pick the songs together (this includes pizza or deli sandwiches with drinks [sodas, no booze] bought by the Church).
Needless to say, number #3 is the best, but rare. Most of the time it's #1 and on occasion #2.
The only rule that I've encountered is, "Does the song fit the theme of the service." The opening and closing song are a little faster due to the cadence of the ministers either walking in or out.
This is the first time I have ever heard of a twelve-week rule. It's also the first time, I've heard of a tempo rule (The first 3 fast, etc.). But then, she is the leader so it's her call. As one famous sax repair person says, "If they don't play the instrument, they just don't understand." And, if your leader only sings, and doesn't play an instrument, then we have the picture. It's a one-way street. But, this is the hand we are dealt sometimes.
This block of 140 songs is also new. We may have as many songs throughout the year, but they are sectioned off in smaller blocks specific to the season of the Church and theme of the gospel readings. For example: Christmas, Easter, and so on. We also take on about ten or twenty new songs every year, sometimes more than that, depending on what is available.
As an aside, in some situations, one of the problems that we instrumentalist encounter with leaders that just sing, is that all of the attention is focused on the singers. The instrumentalist is kind of left out on their own. The choir warms up, no instruments. Then the choir goes through a song and the instrumentalist get to play. Then they work on parts; SATB and the instrumentalist just sit there till the choir gets it together. Then the choir will do the song one more time at rehearsal and the instrumentalist get to play the song one more time. 90% is spent on the singers and 10% is spent on the instruments. With this kind of situation reading off the sheet is the norm and if one feels inspired to improvise, so be it. But there is very little time for free expression. The way around this is to take a tape recorder and tape it and then practice and noodle at home. During the week, it's the best rehearsal of all, with no interruptions.
Although, you are not griping, it appears that your comfort level could use some help. If you are a volunteer, don't feel obligated to play "every" song. Play what is within your comfort range. If they want an explanation, tell them you are going for a dynamic instead of having the same instrumentation in "every" song. This will also allow the other instrumentalist to stretch out when you are not playing and hopefully they will give you some space when you do play. Tell them that you don't want to "horn in" all the time.
The key is to get the songs before the rehearsal. Just because they call it rehearsal doesn't mean that it is rehearsal for the instrumentalist. Most of the time under these circumstances, it's rehearsal for just the singers. Ironically, you have to be rehearsed before "rehearsal," then you get to sit there and watch the singers rehearse.
There is nothing wrong in kicking it down to every other week, if it is going to increase your comfort level. The more comfortable you are the better you will play.
Get the songs way before hand and take control of your comfort range. Or you can do what I do, find another group that understands instrumentalist and are willing to work with them.
Also, as an aside: If you are not there every week, then the weeks that you are there become special for both you and the congregation and you are not taken for granted.
Just my two cents... and
