In days gone by, people used to get together and sing for all kinds of reasons. They sang at picnics and barn raisings. They sang while working in the field or around the house. They sang for entertainment, to express sorrow or grief, and to bond with other people. In today’s world, singing is not as common as it once was. We often tend to turn on the TV, radio, or stereo system when we want to hear some music, rather than creating it ourselves. Because we all see and hear professional musicians performing every day through the media, we begin to think that our amateur efforts are not good enough to be heard by anyone. This is an unfortunate development, and it is a good thing that churches still offer a place where people can sing together without the pressure of a polished, Hollywood-style presentation.

If you are an aspiring singer, you will find no better training ground for your skills than your local church. Many famous musicians got their start in churches. Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Gordon Lightfoot, Kelly Clarkson, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Chuck Berry all began their careers by singing in a house of worship. Even though church choir directors, pianists, and organists are often amateur musicians, that doesn’t mean that those folks will not have some valuable advice to offer you as a singer.

If you enjoy singing but are anxious at the thought of performing in front of a crowd, you have an excellent reason to join a church singing group. First of all, being part of a choir is not nearly as nerve-wracking as singing a solo. You can learn a lot about breath support, posture, intonation, pitch, rhythm, and diction as a choir member. Attending choir practice every week will teach you a number of warm-ups and vocal exercises you can use to improve your voice. Once you get some confidence as a member of the group, volunteer to sing a solo as part of your choir’s anthem. Even if your part is only a few measures long, performing it well will do a lot to build your poise when singing for others. The more you do it, the easier it will become.

A church congregation is usually a very supportive audience for an inexperienced singer. If you progress in your skills by belonging to the choir, you may feel ready to sing alone after a few months. Very large churches may have an audition process that soloists go through before they sing at a Sunday service, but smaller groups often welcome anyone who is willing to sing during worship. Be sure that you choose a song you feel confident with for your first solo attempt. Practice it until you have no doubts about remembering the words or phrasing. Ask to rehearse in the sanctuary with the same accompanist and sound system that you will be using for your performance. When the time comes, do your best, but be assured that you will not be judged too harshly even if things to not go perfectly. If you sing from the heart, with a humble attitude, your church family will appreciate your efforts and you will have taken an important first step toward becoming an accomplished singer.

Filed under: Singing Success

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