The Death of the Church Choir

[Blubayou]

Let me start this thread by saying I know I am an old fogey! I got the Holy Ghost in 1970 at the age of 19 years old. One of the first places I was used in church was the choir. I enjoyed singing in our church choir for about 25 years. I really loved singing in choir and being used in this capacity. I have not sung in choir for about 10 years or more. I dropped out when my work demands became such that I could not devote the time to it I needed to.
Anyway - The church I attend now for the past 3 years, has had a thriving choir of about 75 to 100 members. Last year our music director left to pastor a church in another state. After he left, - he was replaced by a part time music person- the choir sang less often, and our music went more and more to the "new style" of church music. We were sad not to sing the old songs occasionally, and missed "specials" being sung in church.

Our church always does a Christmas musical- in early November, I went to church and the platform was under construction for the musical. Part of that construction was to remove the choir platform and all of the chairs. I thought - its just part of the musical- ----- Well because of a family illness - I did not get to attend church but once during December- the platform was still under construction. Yesterday we attended church for the first time after the holidays- the platform is finished- there is no platform for the choir and the choir chairs are gone- I am assuming that the choir in our church has died and been given a proper burial. It makes me sad- I think the choir is a wonderful place for people to be used in the work of God. Is this typical of other churches? Is this a trend sweeping churchdom?

[Esther]

Not at my church.

But my church also still has their altars.

I was so glad to see that.

[George]

Originally Posted by Esther

Not at my church.

But my church also still has their altars.

I was so glad to see that.

Thank goodness. Ours does, too.

[Tina]

Apparently it's an epidemic......

They stopped having our choir sing as well. My daughters were both very disappointed. Now there's just a chosen "few" singers who sing during every single service and that group is called the "praise team". Other singers are rarely used. It's sad, because there are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many talented people in our church--- who's talents aren't being used.

[ForeverBlessed]

Originally Posted by Tina

Apparently it's an epidemic......

They stopped having our choir sing as well. My daughters were both very disappointed. Now there's just a chosen "few" singers who sing during every single service and that group is called the "praise team". Other singers are rarely used. It's sad, because there are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many talented people in our church--- who's talents aren't being used.

you are so right... so many talented people going without being used. Voices are not being developed and music is not being written like it was in the past.

I think Choirs are biting the dust in many churches.. I have noticed the trend.

I have sang in choirs, sang as a soloist and with groups, but I have always refused to be a praise singer... I can't worship comfortably in front of people who watch and I come to worship... Some people just sit and watch praise singers.... they don't get involved in singing anymore... I don't come to church to entertain, so I've never wanted to praise sing.

[RandyWayne]

I miss having a big choir. Ok, it was never that 'big' but it WAS usually well rehearsed and always sounded good. Even the old songs (that I never particularly cared for) sounded good when they sang them.

[Sherri]

I'm of that era that loves choirs too, but we don't have one at this new church. We have praise singers - several of them that rotate in shifts - but no choir. I miss it! We used to do some awesome Choir numbers at our former church, and the choir was over 60 people at one time. I loved singing in it!

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Sherri

I'm of that era that loves choirs too, but we don't have one at this new church. We have praise singers - several of them that rotate in shifts - but no choir. I miss it! We used to do some awesome Choir numbers at our former church, and the choir was over 60 people at one time. I loved singing in it!

It's hard enough to get all the praise singers to practice let alone a large choir

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

It's hard enough to get all the praise singers to practice let alone a large choir

There is the problem right there....commitment is lacking today.

We have not had a choir for over 10 years.

As a worship leader i do not miss it.

We have used praise singers for 10 years or so. Praise singers encourage all the congregation to sing instead of just those in the choir singing.

We find distance to the church being a big problem today.
I am 30 minutes away. My trumpet and flute 45 miles away.

My drummer just moved to OK. ;-(

Some of my praise singers are over 30 miles from church.

We do our practice prior to church and monthly have a practice immediatly after church.

I myuch prefer vertical worship songs rather than the over repeated verses of most choir songs.

As for "specials", I call them NCP's (non congregation participation)

One person sings while 100 sit and listen. We do a few "specials" 6 to 12 a year.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

There is the problem right there....commitment is lacking today.

We have not had a choir for over 10 years.

As a worship leader i do not miss it.

We have used praise singers for 10 years or so. Praise singers encourage all the congregation to sing instead of just those in the choir singing.

We find distance to the church being a big problem today.
I am 30 minutes away. My trumpet and flute 45 miles away.

My drummer just moved to OK. ;-(

Some of my praise singers are over 30 miles from church.

We do our practice prior to church and monthly have a practice immediatly after church.

I myuch prefer vertical worship songs rather than the over repeated verses of most choir songs.

As for "specials", I call them NCP's (non congregation participation)

One person sings while 100 sit and listen. We do a few "specials" 6 to 12 a year.

The problem with the praise and worship team concept.

The music ministers have not coped "Hillsong" successfully.

Every week there are new songs that in the middle of the worship song a solo is being sung.

This allows for the praise and worship singers to have their ministry.

I want to sing songs that help enter the congregation into a spirit of praise.

To prepare us for the word of God to be preached.

Many of the songs today and the concept of the worship service is to fix the problems of the folks in the pew.

Give me 5 songs 4 of which we know well and helps lead us into a spirit of worship.

When it comes to choir's and it done correctly.

The corporate voices and powerful solo's can be a moving experience.

However if the choir is not practiced then don't sing.