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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[Kings Kid]

Our choir still sings every now and then on a Sunday Night.

[SoCaliUPC]

We are finding more and more that, indeed, church choirs are a dying breed...but I think that this is more of a cyclical thing. Just like music, one time it is in (A) and then B comes along and then C and then we are back to A.

Right now, there is hardly any choir material out there. The emphasis is praise and worship. Back to about 10 years ago, there was huge amounts of choir material...not so much anymore. More use their choirs as a big praise team. I do see more and more choirs becoming a thing of the past. But I would not classify it as dead. I think there will be a time where it will be "in" again. Music emphasis will change that.

[Cindy]

I loved singing in the choir too. We don't have one either.

[Jason B]

i'm not a fan of the "praise team". Let people be INVOLVED in church, and choir is a great way to do it. Plus-IT'S MUCH BETTER.