MUSICIANS "ON THE SIDE"

Dealing with Difficult Situations and People: Practical Tips

I N MY LAST ARTICLE for TAO (October 2014), I emphasized the need for honest, clear, and fair deal­

ings with all those we work with, whether

volunteers or professionals. You cannot afford to be vague about expectations. Here are some practical tips to help achieve punctuality and good attendance

rates in your choir. These methods will also help with many other situations.

Let's look at a hypothetical situation. Frank is a tenor in your choir, he's fre­

quendy late, and it's beginning to annoy you. You find that you're already impa­tient at the start of rehearsals, waiting for Frank to arrive and get himself ready, hav­ing missed the (vital) warm-up and orga­

nization of music. Other singers have also

Week 1 IJune 14-19 Featured Artist- Maurice Clerc Saint-Benigne Cathedral in Dijon, France Improvisation in the French Manner, Organ Vespers

Week 21 June 21-26 Featured Artist- Bruce Neswick Indiana University- Royal School of Church Music Hymn Festival, Master Classes, Choral Evensong

Featured Topics • Hymn & Service Playing (Basic & Advanced)

Simon Berry

noticed it, and there's a negative vibe in the room. The time and place to say something never seem right: there's always

some ocher pressing matter. You must be neutral. It doesn't matter

if Frank is a star tenor or someone whose voice is never heard, the generous donor or

the person struggling to survive, the funny person or the one with personal hygiene problems. Frank is a member of your choir

and must be shown respect, given support, and allowed time to try to fix his tardiness. He may have ocher problems, but address only one problem at a time. You may be fortunate and find that helping him with

tardiness fixes other problems as he feels supported and valued.

When you speak to Frank, find time to

• Keyboard Skills & Improvisation (Basic & Advanced)

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• Organ Literature, Registration & Performance Practice

• Anthem Literature for the Church Year • Morning & Evening Prayer

sit quietly and talk and listen to each other. If you don't allow time to hear him speak and for him to hear you speak, then the message will probably not be received.

Ir's important to speak in specifics rather than generalizations. Ir's tempting to say, "You're always late," hue it proba­bly isn't true. The answer to this is to

keep an accurate record of attendance. Here's an example of the type I use:

A = present

E = excused absence

S = absence because of sickness

X = unexcused absence

L15 = 15 minutes late

I fill out the attendance table at the end of the break in my rehearsals, calling every

June 21-26 Offered concurrently with Church Music Institute Week 2

Featured Topics and Activities • Private Lessons • Hymn Playing & Improvisation • Exploring the Harpsichord • Organ Design & Construction • Visit to Taylor & Boody Organ Shop • Evening Programs of CM/ • Recreation

THE AMERICAN ORGANIST

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name aloud, and letting everyone know where the absentees are. For instance "Morris is sick tonight, pray for his heal­ing"; "Anne is on vacation in Rome."

This way everyone knows chat you are aware of the reason for absences, except the unexcused absences; and notification

of absences always improves once chis sys­tem is in place!

When you meet with Frank, you will be able to cell him, gently, chat he's been late to eight out of twelve choir events,

and he was 15-20 minutes lace each time. Your record will also remind you of the easily overlooked fact that he was on time four times (33%) . It's worthwhile asking

Frank about his tardiness. He may blame it on a transport schedule. Listen and do your best to understand what's going on, but let him know if chis is not an accept­

able excuse. In the end, a carrot is always better

than the stick. As I've said to musicians

myself, the anxiery caused by lateness

erodes well-being and creates stress. En­

courage people to be five minutes early,

to enjoy feeling relaxed and being able to chat with colleagues. When they are early,

make a point of saying (privately) that

you've noticed and are grateful.

With attendance and punctuality, peo­

ple need to know what is acceptable. For

attendance, I aim to have my choir mem­

bers present 85% of the total calls. And I

ask for absolute punctuality. Having set a high standard, I'm very careful to adhere

to it myself: rehearsals always start on

time, and I don't stop for latecomers.

Finally, is the clock in your rehearsal room absolutely accurate, and can you see

it without turning your head? Noting a tardy arrival should not interrupt the flow

of the rehearsal and should not be a point

of tension for you and the rest of the choir.

It may come as a surprise, but with a

bit of patience and attention judiciously

applied, you can turn your Franks into real assets in your choir.

Simon Berry is dean of the San Francisco

chapter and director of music and liturgy at Sc. Dominic's Catholic Church in San Francisco.

He is a project consultant with Letourneau

Pipe Organs. He is a native of Bristol, UK, and

came co the United States in 1996. He studied

at Bristol, the University of Warwick, and the

Royal College of Music.

JUNE 2015

morrSr\g.ftar MUSIC PUBLISHERS

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come Four Thanksgiving Preludes for Organ Matthew Corl Fresh arrangements that will find many uses in worship: ST. GEORGE' s WINDSOR; DIX; NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT; KREMSER. Accessible pieces, set in a variety of styles. 10-778 $12.00

Angels We Have Heard on High 5 Organ Pieces for Advent and Christmas Rebecca K. Owens Two preludes, a toccata, and two carol medleys using tunes: CAROL OF THE BELLS; DIV/­NUM MYSTER/UM; GLORIA; GREENSLEEVES; HAGEN; MUELLER/AWAY IN A MANGER; NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HE/LAND; 0 FILI/ ET FILIAE; PICARDY.

10-175 $16.00

Evensong Charles Callahan A sublime, transcendent piece. Includes the tunes AR HYD y NOS and TALLIS' CANON.

10-656 $8.00

Morning Song Five Accessible Hymn Preludes David 5chelat A unique take on hymn tunes, which is fresh and fun. Contents: ABERYSTWYTH; ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVOGELEIN (WOODBIRD); JESUS LOVES ME; MONKLAND; MORNING SONG.

10-658 $12.00

Processional and Trumpet Tune on Cwm Rhondda Wayne L. Wold Commissioned by the Tidewater, Virginia chapter of the AGO to honor John Dixon, this is a substantial setting of this beloved tune. Sweeping and majestic. 10-659 $8.00

A Kingsfold Suite David P. Dahl The first movement of six, sets the tone for this suite as it puts the tune through vari­ous paces. Requires only a modest organ. 10-779 $10.00

Five Chorale Preludes & Free Hymn Accompaniments Faythe Freese Five hymn tunes are given multiple settings in a striking, contemporary tonal language by this noted concert organist: BUNESSAN; CRUC/FER; INN/SFREE FARM; NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HE/LAND; and WACHET AUF.

10-657 $17.00

Three Postludes on Gospel Hymns Robert J. Powell Upbeat and lively arrangements: TO GOD BE THE GLORY; MESSAGE ("We've a Story to Tell to the Nations"); and CHRIST AROSE ("Up from the Grave He Arose"). 10-781 $9.00

NEW MUSIC FOR FALL 2015 Visit ()Ill" 11,cl,sitc for

audio a11d PDF sm;1p/cs.

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Prayerful Preludes, Set 5 Robert J. Powell Easy, expressive arrangements of: I AM THINE; MARTYRDOM; NEAR THE CROSS; and SOLID ROCK.

10-647 $9.00

Three Lyric Solos for Organ Raymond H. Haan This suite of pieces in C Major (Lyric Processional, Organ Hymn, and Chaconne) is suited for exploring the tonal resources of any instrument. Recital or worship. 10-692 $10.00

Four Trumpet Tunes David Lasky All four pieces are winsomely melodic and ideal for weddings, postludes, or as a festive recital opener. Traditional yet innovative. 10-699 $10.00

Praise to the Lord: Classic Chorale Preludes for Keyboard & Solo Instrument Paul Manz/Tr. Benjamin M. Culli One of our most comprehensive collec­tions for solo instrument and piano or organ. Chorale preludes by Manz skillfully adapted. Visit our website for content listing. 20-721 $27.00

Advent & Christmas: Two Preludes for Solo Instrument and Organ Charles Callahan An Advent Prelude includes tunes VEN/ EMMANUEL and CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM. A Christmas Prelude includes ADESTE FIDELES, STILLE NACHT. THE FIRST NOWELL, DIVINUM MYSTER/UM, ES /STEIN ROS, and MENDELSSOHN. 20-110 $12.00

Five Preludes for Cello and Organ Raymond H. Haan This collection offers cellist and organist opportunity to display the wide variety of color, range, and style: MILES LANE; MELCOMBE; WYE VALLEY; AZMON; JESU DULC/5 MEMORIA.

20-985 $19.00

Four Psalm Preludes Flute or Violin, Organ or Piano Charles Callahan Newly composed pieces written with Psalm texts in mind (Psalms 23, 84, 96, and 100). Accompaniments are moderately easy, the solo parts are for a good intermediate player or beyond. 20-718 $14.00

Rejoice, the Lord Is King Samuel Metzger A congregational hymn setting on the tune DARWALL'S 14BTH for brass quartet (two trumpets, trombone, bass trombone) and organ, with optional timpani, suspended cymbal, and descant. 20-783 $25.00

Phone: 800.647.2117 E-mail: MorningStarc@MorningStarmusic.com

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