How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

What do you think is the best way to deal with a difficult music director? besides involving the Pastor?

What do you think is a realistic amount of practice time?

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

I would approach the music director and let him/her know my feelings about extreme amount of practicing. Everyone has jobs and families that they must attend to also. I would let them know that I planned to talk with the pastor about it if it continued.

Let them know that it's not personal, but that you are burning the candle at both ends because of the demands of time.

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

You may want to simply step down. I think, from experience, that when dealing with music you are dealing with ego's. Not something you should have in church but it happens.
Simply advise them that due to time constraints you will not be able to continue participating in praise team, choir, whatever it is.

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

Give me more details

what's this practice for ? Praise team? choir ? band practice ?


my choir practices are 1 hour. I'm a music director and will say ,it can be done successfully to with careful preparation

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

an hour a week? I think that's very reasonable. How much do you except your musicians to practice?

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

My Pastor very RARELY let's someone "step down".

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

your pastor has no right to force anyone to stay in a position.

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

Wow! Your pastor exercises a lot of control!

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

Sounds to me like it is called absolute control.

Re: How to deal with a difficult music director?
 

We practice about 2-3 hours BUT we love it! it gets fun. I try to give lead sheets and CDs of the music in advance


My musician practices are seperate from choir. That's one reason choir practices end up being too long. there is too much going on at once.
when you have the band trying to learn the songs at the same time it turns into chaos.
Even if the band knows the songs, the choir can hide behind the music. It's better to have minimal music at rehearsals so that you can focus on parts and leads.

what I do is this. I have a seperate practice with my vocal section leaders and teach them the new songs. I believe every section needs an anchor. then, at rehearsals, they help me teach the songs and sing the parts. This makes the rehearsals go much more effectivley.

Also, I type out all our announcements and only highlight the things that need to be brought up.

IN fact, we have choir from 7-8 pm on weds nights which is our mid week service night! then the choir goes into our pastor's bible class at 8pm. our choir doesn't even have to come out an extra night in the week! this gives me more time to practice with the band and smaller groups, teams, etc.
It is AWESOME!

One hour rehearsals can and are very effective! and our attendance is GREAT because the people know I value their time,they know we mean business and they respect that in return.