The Best Lent Ever for Choir Directors

Does Ash Wednesday always seem to sneak up on you?

Are you ready for Easter??

Are you feeling a little ping of anxiety just thinking about it??

Nearly ever year I have felt Ash Wednesday sneaks up SO quickly!

Although part of me is excited for the Lenten season, my music director brain screams "Oh no!!!!!" and then "Here we goooo!!"

Without a doubt, this is the busiest season for church music directors

If you are having this feeling, I want to give you a few tips to make this your best lenten season ever (courtesy to Matthew Kelly for the phrase!)

1) Strategic Planning & Communication

One of the reasons the season is challenging is because there is SOO much music

Not only that, but our singers can come with a lot of questions and anxiety around the busier season

They ask:

"What are we doing for Easter", "Are we singing Good Friday?", "Is this piece during communion or offertory?"

And state:

"We don't know this Gloria" (you know the one we did 2 years ago!)

You know, with anxious folks, even the simple things can become complicated!

In order to erase nearly all of this, we can adopt a strategy of planning and communication

Simply put, now is the time to have planned your music through the Second Sunday of Easter

Why the Second Sunday?

Because the last thing you want to be doing on right after Easter is planning the following weekend

Be sure to find a quiet space, turn off your email and phone, and plan the season!

Secondly - put your plans into one document for Lent and one place for Holy Week

Print and give to your singers; including rehearsal times and special moments such as the Gloria or Tantum Ergo

I promise you, giving these sheets to your singers AND putting them in an accessible location will save you a dozen questions throughout the season as well as relax your choir

2) Celebrate the Season

Lent is for ALL of us, including music directors

There is no reason that you should only serve your choir without taking steps to celebrate the season

Whether that be taking some time each week to read a spiritual text, or going for an extra walk, or coming to church 15 minutes early to pray - you need to carve out time for your Lenten and Easter season

By 'putting on your oxygen mask first', you will not only make the season a blessing in your life, but your entire ministry will thrive

People will sense your disposition and that will be reflected into your interactions and your group's music

3) Capture each Musical Moment

In every moment of Lent and every moment of Holy Week, our music will shine brightly to highlight the message of the season

To make this experience more meaningful for everyone, consider providing contrast to your music selections

I'm not talking about the more obvious contrasts that come with selecting music

But, how can you make Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter each speak wildly differently?

The greatest contrast is of course from Good Friday to Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday

Here are some ideas:

Good Friday could include a solo violinist - a child that simply plays "O Sacred Head" during a poignant moment.... or maybe you start an anthem with a lone bell before the piano comes in

Then, Easter must be the greatest climax and celebration of the entire year

Consider doing a piece that really dances with percussion instruments.... consider having a trumpet player or brass quartet.  If those are outside of grasp, work hard with your choir to perfect the joy found in their Easter anthem

You can tell them jokingly "this is a happy song" :)

You can tell them "I don't believe you" with a smirk on your face - make sure to say it as a joke

Get them to play their part with more Joy that will radiate into the congregation

It is our responsibility to lean deeply into each service so that the mysteries of Faith are highlighted and celebrated

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With that, I wish you a wonderful season!

I just posted a special for Choir Directors:

If you want to get your choir sounding better than ever AND treat them at the same time, I am offering my "Choir Essentials Training Program" with a special bonus

For each order, you will receive free access to my "How to Sight Read Music" program for your entire choir.  With a computer or phone, they can log in to the program, learn to read music and then to sight read. That special is available here until Fat Tuesday:

Lenten Special: Choir Essentials with How to Sight Read Music

It's a great offer that will bring smiles to you and your choir

Have a great Lenten season!

Mike