At Oakland Baptist in Rock Hill where I’m interim minister of music, the adult choir has a summer tradition of taking a month off from rehearsals and from filling the loft in worship. So for the next few weeks we are using soloists from the choir each Sunday.
I love working with soloists (especially vocalists) to encourage and develop their gifts. Recently I was accompanying and coaching a baritone from our choir on the Moses Hogan setting of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” It’s a lovely setting of this old classic with a sumptuous piano part.
The last verse needs to be delivered with a glorious abandon, a resolute tone, a strong delivery. Because I knew the soloist loves Broadway musicals, I told him, “Add just a bit of Nathan Lane to your voice and really release the sound! Don’t hold back!”
And he did it. It was beautifully expressive and he felt like he had made a significant contribution to worship.
That positive worship experience leads me to write this. As you think about the year ahead in music ministry, consider these questions:
1. This year what vocalists or instrumentalists could you coach so that they can offer their gifts in worship?
2. Do you know the skills of your singers and players and ringers well enough that you can choose music that will help them succeed?
3. Does the musical style resonate with the soloist so they connect musically, emotionally and spiritually? If not, search for something that does.
4. How about youth and older children? Can you find ways for them to contribute to worship in the year ahead? (I get it. Just trying to schedule a rehearsal with a high school student can tax your patience. But I promise this is worth it for the student, for the church and for your ministry.)
5. Will you plan to allow enough time for a solo to “ripen” so that the soloist sings with confidence?
Last thoughts: given the nature of our roles as church musicians, we are in the spotlight every Sunday. Sure, there are some things we need to do, need to sing, need to play. But how are we shining the spotlight on others in our music ministry? What are we doing to cultivate and encourage and coach others?
The day the baritone soloist sang in worship was the 74th anniversary at Oakland and there was a church luncheon afterwards. As I was leaving the lunch, the soloist’s mother stopped me and thanked me. She had been seated in the choir loft as her son sang and she said he sang so beautifully she was in tears.
Part of our job is to nurture the gifts of others. Let’s all make a commitment in the year ahead to shine the spotlight on those around us.
Breathe, bless and be well,
Doug Haney
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