I’m a choir member now, but for a long time, I was in the pew. In fact, I was in the very last pew in the very back of the Church. But, there was never a Sunday when I wasn’t singing… taking my lead from those standing in the choir loft.
Finally, one Wednesday night, I did it. I. JOINED. THE. CHOIR.
There were many reasons behind my decision to join – my wanting to serve, my love of singing, my desire to honor a promise I made to God, but there’s one reason I don’t talk about much… I wanted to be one of the choir members smiling down from the loft and generally looking like I loved what I was called to do — joyfully singing my praises to the Lord. Why? Because I wanted those looking up to see engaged choir members leading in worship.
Which leads me to today’s “View From the Pew”: Why don’t choir members smile? Seriously, why aren’t they smiling?
Psalm 33:1 says, “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”
Notice, it doesn’t say sing solemnly. Or sadly. It’s says, “Sing JOYFULLY.” By definition, joyfully means: showing or expressing joy, as looks, actions, or speech. And what better way to show joy than to smile.
So I ask, “How many times have you sat in the pew, looking up at the choir loft filled with choir members, and wondered, ‘Why aren’t they smiling’?” Or at least looking like they are praising God. Or taking to heart what they are singing. Yeah. Me too.
Now, to be fair, I’m Southern Baptist to the core. Raising hands and clapping were just not how I was raised, so I get it. But a little smiling, even crying, can be seen all the way to the back of the Church. I promise.
So here’s what I know: It’s almost impossible to tell the Minister of Music that his choir needs to smile. It’s definitely impossible to tell a choir member they need to look like they want to be there. In fact, I’m fairly certain only an 80-year-old woman can get away with that!
So, as choir members, knowing there could be a millions reasons why we’re not smiling, what can we do to help each other sing joyfully to the Lord? Because no one else is going to tell us (except maybe the 80-year-old lady).
First step:
Be excited to be part of the choir. It is a privilege to lead from the loft each Sunday. Your heart will show… all the way to the very last row. Really.
Second step:
Be encouraging to fellow choir members. If you see they’re struggling, encourage them. Remind them why they are there… to lead others, but to also be led.
Third step:
Listen to the music. From the favorite hymns to the praise-filled anthems, the music sets the tone of our worship. Whether it’s joyful or reverent, let your face, gestures and presence show your emotion.
Fourth step:
Think of those in the pews. They are watching you sing. Whether you’re singing joyfully or tearfully, these are precious moments God uses to bring His people closer to Him. Psalm 40:3 says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will SEE and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
And the last (and most important) Fifth step:
Remember to whom you are singing. Would you stand in front of Jesus and sing without enthusiasm or emotion? OR, would you stand in front of Jesus and sing with all the love and joy in your heart?
As someone that sat in the pews for a long time, I can tell you, I wanted to see the choir singing with emotion – whatever that may be – joyfully, reverently, or tearfully. Just know… every smile, every praise, every tear makes a huge difference to those looking up from the pew. Even to the very last pew in the very back of the Church.
Beautifully Blessed and Truly Thankful,
Chasity
Side note to Ministers of Music and Worship Pastors: You have a tough job… and we are so thankful for your service. All of the above applies to you as well, but even more so… with more steps. From rehearsals to productions and everything in between (devotions, team building, announcements, and more…), remember music is your language, not your message. Therefore, it is incredibly important to teach your choir members how to lead worship. As my friend Mike Harland once said, “Choirs full of people giving their worship to God are choirs that will lead the worship of others in a powerful way.”
Chasity Phillips is the Marketing Strategist for Lifeway Worship. She’s also a choir member at Brentwood Baptist Church AND an EVERY Sunday nursery worker. She loves being creative. Her “Happy Place”: Worship Music + Creativity (add a palm tree, and that’s how she imagines Heaven). She also loves social media… so BEWARE, you might find yourself on the pages of Lifeway Worship’s FB page or Twitter feed. Outside of Lifeway and Church, she can be found at a baseball field somewhere…watching her three baseball-loving boys (husband, Brent and two boys, Peyton & Palmer) play baseball OR cheering on her Alma Mater, The Florida State University Seminoles. Psalm 143:8
I loved this and will pass it on! I have a few health issues and sometimes have to stay in the pews. I have thought the very same thing.
I had about the same experience playing in an orchestra. I usually play cello (that’s serious business!) but one time I got to play the timpani and had a blast. An audience member told me later that I was the only one up there looking like I as enjoying it. So I make an effort to look slightly happy no matter what I’m playing.
i for one didn’t realize that I wasn’t smiling until someone told me, but I think I am concentrating so hard on not messing up that it is hard to remember to smile! Believe me though-I enjoying every note and praising God just the same!
Thank you! I’am a Choir Member in my church, and I do the same.thing. (Seems I can’t do two things at once, and it takes a lot of concentration to sing it right. Just because we don’t smile, it doesn’t mean we’re not joyful. You may not be able to see it, but I’am smiling on the inside! I love singing in the Choir, and praising the Lord!
As a former choir director, I discovered that a lot of choir members were “dry wells” instead of springs of living water. They had an attitude of “I am a senior member of this choir and I am not going to do anything that I don’t want to do. I changed the format with the pastors blessing and used some sanctified “happy clappy” folks on a praise team and used the choir one Sunday a month. When asked why, I showed them the videos of the praise team with congregation on their feet and singing and then the dour looking choir members standing there with no joy and asked “Which would you rTher worship with?” Then we started having choir and praise team prayer sessions. If you didn’t pray before service, you couldn’t sing on the platform. There is a natural filtering that occurs when you hold everyone to a spiritual stand. Did we lose some folks? Yep but we also broke out in spontaneous revival and added people to the church.
Amen brother and Amen !!!!!
Amen! Prayer that Jesus Christ shine thru you not how you feel!!
I have said many times Smile!!! You are singing to our Lord. No one will believe that you are singing for the joy of it if you look like you are a grump. I’m pretty close to 80 and will sing and smile untill i have no voice,; but still a smile. Thank you, thank you…
I have sung in the choir from my youth until my present age of 54 and have been frustrated for years by the lack of authenticity in worship. Your last recommendation hit the nail on the head! If we remember to whom we are singing it should make all the difference. Would you stand in front of Jesus and sing without enthusiasm or emotion? OR, would you stand in front of Jesus and sing with all the love and joy in your heart? Thank you so much for this article that we need to address.
Here is another reason to smile while singing coming from a musician and singer… It has been proven that smiling while singing not only improves volume but also helps eith keeping the proper pitch.
I have to politely disagree. You are a singer, so you know how to produce a sound. Most church choirs are made up of volunteers, many of whom are not “singers” and need to learn to produce a certain sound and have vowels that match. The best way to do that is by pulling in the sides of the mouth, fish-like. Make a fish face and smile at the same time? I don’t think so 🙂
Very true. It’s hard to meld the two ideas together.
I understand what you are saying, but the human face is remarkably expressive. Even while positioning your mouth correctly for good sound, the eyes can still be smiling. During measures of rest while waiting for the next entry, the mouth also can be smiling.
Karen one smiles not only with the mouth but the eyes….:)
amen to that!
Steps 4 and 5 are essentially the same step for the choir. That is, our turning our praise to God is extended to the congregation because we are there to lead them in worship. That said, we have a responsibility to God to not fail his people while leading them in worship. It’s only marginally less important than the pastor’s responsibility to not lead them astray in his preaching.
Thanks for this, I have often wondered that very thing. With memories of my mom singing, loudly, in the pew. Poor thing couldn’t carry a tune, and knew it. When I’d look at her with pleading in my eyes, I didn’t ever want to stop. Just tone it down a bit. Her response was always the same “it says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” With a happy grin. And those in the choir, who all knew her, smiled back at her, every time!
Having been a minister of music/worship leader for over 40 years in Southern Baptist churches, I appreciate this very well-written article. Two of the churches I served in had television ministries and I was reminded constantly of the importance of choir members expressions as they are singing. Your article would be a good reminder for anyone who sings in a church choir. Thanks for your contribution. .
I love to sing and am a smiler….and what we see looking back at us from the pews I could also say would be welcomed by a smile…..sometimes looking out into the crowd it is like a dead sea of faces!
Elizabeth, I agree. When you are singing your heart out and you are so full of emotion, you look out in the pews and rarely do I see a face looking back that is smiling at us ( choir ). I keep right on smiling and singing. And when I am in the pew looking back, I always try to smile up at whoever is singing to let them know I am receiving their message and my heart is full.
I’m a smiling choir singer. .. sometimes. That usually happens when I know the music well so am not having to concentrate too hard on the physical act of singing correctly. Those of you in the choir know what I mean.
Other reasons for not smiling. .. well, sometimes the lyrics are not meant to be sung with a smile. For instance, Jane Marshall’s anthem “My Eternal King.” Look up the lyrics if you don’t know it.
There are other reasons, too, personal ones. Sometimes a choir member is going through deep waters and may not feel happy, but does that mean he shouldn’t offer praise to God?
Thankfully, in our current sanctuary the choir is in the balcony in the back of the church, so we can really concentrate on presenting an offering to God, instead of worrying about what our faces look like. It’s not a performance…it’s worship, and that is a weighty matter.
I had trouble finding a webpage with the lyrics of “My Eternal King,” so here they are. Don’t you think it would be strange to see choir members smiling while singing about people dying eternally?
“My God, I love Thee;
not because I hope for heav’n thereby,
Nor yet because who love Thee not
Must die eternally.
Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails, the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace.
Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heav’n,
Or of escaping hell;
Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving Lord!
E’en so I love Thee, and will love,
And in Thy praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God,
And my Eternal King.”
One of my favorites from school choir in 1964! Today I would absolutely have to raise my hands in praise and thankfulness at the end!
Exactly this! I grew up in churches from southern Babtist to first assembly of God to open denominations living in both the north and south. I started off being in choir in school then while still in high school I joined the choir for the Babtist church we were members at. Then later joined the choir at the open domination church my husband and I were going to.
All the while, all my choir directors would remind us to smile. But to watch them, while they were leading us, they usually wouldn’t either. When your up there, smiling is the last thing from your mind. Making sure you don’t fall off, making sure you don’t push into the person next to you, remembering the lyrics is always present and fighting for your attention. Plus, the best way I can help lead is to honestly and fully be up there worshiping the Lord, not trying to perform because people can spot a fake smile more than a nonexistent one. Plus, its not always about the smile. At one of our practices our director showed us a video from hillsong because we were going to learn that new song. You could tell by looking at her she was really worshiping, her heart was completely on the Lord. But not once did she smile and she even kept her eyes closed the whole time.
Yes, in theory smiling would be a good addition, but only if it is an upbeat song and the smile comes naturally as part of that person’s worship.
The writer also mentioned reverence and tears. She was basically saying show an emotion to go with what you are singing. Sing it like you mean it, and believe it, and live it. My wife is a smiler when she sings. She is always getting positive comments from people that can tell she loves what she is doing. She simply loves to sing! She has often stated, if anything ever happened to her where she couldn’t sing, pull the plug. Because she can’t even imagine her life without singing.
Thank you for this perspective. I’ve been a coir member for many years, and smiling is hard for me to do. Not because I don’t feel it, but because I’m either concentrating on a song I haven’t completely memorized, which is most of the time, or singing a song which to me portrays an attitude of humility. Singing while smiling I tend to connect with the familiar feel good hymns that we all know and love – Amazing Grace, for one. Up From The Grave He Arose is another. In an independent baptist church sometimes a little swaying and clapping is frowned on, but I have, on occasion, and am not embarrassed to do so. I’m more concerned with the congregation hearing the words than I am them seeing Glory on my face. Sometimes a beaming smile can be a distraction to the message of the song. And sometimes smiling just because the choir director prompts you to so it isn’t good either. People know when it’s fake. Do as the spirit leads. Period.
Amen!
Thanks Jenny for your thoughts. Concentration is the biggest reason that choir members dont smile all the time. I agree totally with what you had to say. Im a minister of music of some 35 years, and i constantly remind people, including the congregation, to smile, but not grin. There is a difference.
Rick Grammer
could it be that choristers are practicing proper enunciation to produce the most beautiful sound? We are taught that if your mouth is “wide”, East-West, you cannot produce a beautiful tonal quality. To make beautiful music you must open your mouth in a “north-south”, “O” shape. That doesn’t look like a smile at all, but the music the choir makes is beautiful.
as a worship leader and choir director I often remind the musicians Who we are singing to, and to be worshippers first. On the flip side I often think the same as I watch the congregation. When I see those who are loving Jesus as they sing it lifts me up as well.
When I was a M-O-M, I was forever reminding my choir members to smile by smiling at them and sketching a smile in front of myself – this tickled them and they smiled for a while. Whenever I sang in choir (like at SBTS) I was always reminding myself to smile. I did it because I simply love music.
sometimes it’s impossible to form your mouth correctly to sing a phrase or song and smile at the same time. Holding notes, singing fast, reading ahead so you don’t miss any words, counting a beat so you know where to come in. Not smiling is not deliberate, it’s sometimes necessary. Watch one of your favorite singers on TV or at a concert…they won’t smile too much either while they’re singing, but will afterwards. It’s not because the choir is not into worshipping.
Elaine said it all. I have led worship and directed choirs for years. People are uninformed about choir, and think that because you are not “smiling,” you are not worshipping. Nothing is farther from the truth.
It could be a reaction of what the choir sees in the congregation. I try to do my part by reflecting back to our choir that I enjoy what I hear. Both smiles and frowns are contagious; wear one appropriately in appreciation.
Sunday morning, just before preaching, I looked at the choir engaging in corporate worship. There she was. She is relatively new to our church. She is just now beginning (about 6-7 months) her journey with Christ. She had a beautiful smile on her face as she sang. I was encouraged. After the service, I commented how I appreciated her enjoying worship and being a model and encouragement for us in the audience. She said, “This week I read an article about choir members smiling. It impacted me. I wanted to put it into practice.” Kudos to both of you!
I’m a choir member. One week after church, and a particularly upbeat classic hymn, someone came up to me and said “You look like you’re having too much fun up there!” At first I was humbly pleased. Later I thought that my exuberance could have been a distraction to someone in the congregation. It’s a double-edged sword.
is fun and worship mutually exclusive? Let that member of the church focus on their own worship and you on your own…nothing wrong in feeling the emotions that are stirred within us when singing – that’s one of its purposes in my opinion.
I agree with Elaine. As a music minister & choir director, I try to teach singers proper mouth shape…and smiling isn’t it. The proper mouth shape for good singing is to open more vertically. But when a person smiles, the mouth spreads horizontally. When a singer’s mouth spreads horizontally, it affects the sound. (Go ahead, try it.) So instead of harping at my choir for not smiling, I tell them to “smile with their eyes.” The mouth does not have to be spread for one to look excited and enthusiastic. Usually raised eyebrows (also important for good vocal technique) will do the trick.
K-Ray,
That’s right. A smile includes far more than the shape of the mouth. The whole countenance is involved. Practicing well-placed vowels will alter the shape of the mouth, but also help singing well to become natural for singers. That means that they can become more focused on expressing the content on Sunday morning. Also, “smiling” often includes muscles that people can’t see, like the raising of the fleshy back part of the palate. That too will help the choir to sing better.
While there may be a congregation before us, we sing for an audience of ONE GOD.
judging by the posted comments, I’m about to be in the minority. It’s not always possible to smile during a particular piece. Sometimes it would be inappropriate. Sometimes the choir is just concentrating very hard. But if the writer means that a choir should show emotion–joy, pleasure, poignancy, even sadness– not just smiling–I agree and it is a point well taken. My choir loves to sing. They work very hard, volunteer a lot of time, and I believe that their singing is an effort to make a spiritual connection to God and to the congregation.
Physical expressions during singing cut both ways. Often the congregation is a sea of expressionless faces. Maybe they reflect the visage of the choir; maybe the choir is reflecting their audience. Hmmm.
In any case, the posted comments are well worth thinking about, and I appreciate them.
I read the article because I found the topic to be very interesting. The one thing I would like to add that may slightly factor into the discussion; the denomination of the congregation (hence directly affecting the song selections).
I was raised as a Catholic and found that there was very little joy in ANY of the musical selections we sang each Sunday for mass…..and very little joy in the congregation singing those same selections. Each hymn seemed to possess a somber and reflective tone. Please don’t get me wrong, a somber and reflective song is well received as long as it isn’t the bulk of the material. But as I grew in the church and in the choir, it was quickly realized that there was a stodgy hierarchy based on seniority. The older more rigid choir members couldn’t be shaken, liked the old ‘tried and trues’, and were firm in sticking to their position regarding bringing/learning any new material. Their attitudes sucked the life out of the joy of singing. When one is concerned more about simply ‘showing up on time’ than the REAL reason they are there….it is a problem. It may have changed since I left the church, but I have finally found a place that shares my enthusiasm.
I’m happy to report that I’m all for smiling when I look out at the congregation…..just not exactly ‘while’ singing. But before, during natural breaks in the song, and afterwards…….absolutely. I also tend to agree with Gretchen about the expressionless faces of the congregation (as I witnessed in the Catholic church, no matter what I did or didn’t do). But I have found that happiness *IS* contagious and it definitely has an impact….even if it takes them a while to come around….even if they don’t smile back at you. Our behavior is also directly influencing the young people of our church in later roles of service. We are true ambassadors of the Holy Spirit!
As a former choir member, I want to challenge the congregation to SMILE….sometimes it feels as if the people in the pews are dead and can’t wait to get out of there.
I have never thought about whether or not I smile while singing, but I am sure that I do smile when we get a real powerful hymn to sing. I do know that when I am not singing I am trying to pay attention to the other elements of the service going on around me, and in doing so I am trying to concentrate on that. Also as someone who has done training on speechmaking I know that you may take attention away from the rest of the service and “put yourself out there.” I would rather do my part for the worship in humility and with as little attention as possible and place Him in front.
Just watch the choir members who didn’t grow up in your church, come to your church by marriage, or come because they moved to your town. Watch the newly rescued, who had to swim upstream against a current that was sweeping them into the mouth of Hell. It might be the man who first entered your church to attend the AA meeting in the basement. It might be the woman who came to your church after the church which she had served all her life let her down in her hour of need. These are the blessed for whom your church is the far shore that they thought they would never reach until an unseen hand buoyed them up. They will teach you how to smile or sometimes cry.
I have been singing in the choir all my life (going on 47 years), i have always tried to smile and enjoy what you do, as my dad (pastor) always says, sing by “letter”…. Rare back and “letter fly”… It should be something you enjoy and if your happy and you know it, Show it!… The Bible tells us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, I don’t sing for others i sing for my Lord
Good article. However, I speak from experience when I say, it is just as discouraging to be in the choir or praise team and look out into the audience and see the congregation scowling like they’ve just sucked on persimmons. The choir and praise team members work very hard to prepare for the service. It is there job to lead worship. It would help if the congregation would take part in the worship instead of wanting to be entertained or not worshipping because they didn’t like the choice of music for that particular service. I understand this does not apply to every member of every congregation. When the congregation gets behind the choir or praise team, it makes their jobs so much easier. And just a side note-I would much rather hear someone sing, who can’t carry a tune in a bucket who is anointed of God than someone sing every note on key who is just singing to be seen.
I was a longtime member at churches I attended. Now I’m director at my present church. I can tell you from my own point of view: It is hard to put on a smile if you’re concentrating. Concentration — focus — these things just naturally cause a person to assume a scowl. You have to train yourself to keep the smile in place. Also, you are opening and closing your mouth. Have you ever tried to smile with your mouth open? It doesn’t physically work.
I give the choir the benefit of the doubt in this. I don’t nag at them to plaster on a smile. I just do things that I think will put them in a good mood just before, and sometimes during, a song. I assume a goofy expression during the song. I have them try to sing the song backwards just before going onstage. Sometimes I try to put on as angry a face as I can, knowing that they’ll see that and know that I’m just making faces… which will make them smile. It works. When they glance at me, they see that and suddenly they just smile. I also coach them, not to smile, but to raise their eyebrows while singing. People will perceive raised eyebrows as a smile, even if there is no smile. Try it. It’s true. And it’s possible, whereas holding a smile with your mouth open wide may not be..
But never assume the people are unhappy just because they aren’t smiling. They’re trying to do a good job, and that kind of focus shows in their face.
Thank you for posting this! I am a choir member, but I know I don’t always smile because it is hard to concentrate and focus AND smile! I don’t read music, so I’m paying attention even more so to the music and the director trying to keep it all together!
Good article — good words — will pass along to my choir members
On a side note, choirs facing congregations is relatively new — the choir loft used to be the balcony in the back of the church facing the pulpit (as in many churches today of the liturgical tradition) or behind the altar facing each other but not the congregation (like many Catholic churches), so the congregation never saw them, only heard them. It did not matter.
Still, one would think after all these years that in churches where the choir faces the congregation we would not have to work so hard at this.
Remember, too, that the choir is composed of people. Sometimes people are just going through life’s circumstances, and smiling is the last thing that comes genuinely. It’s easy to post a fake smile on, but does that help anyone worship? I’d say no.
Also, if we’re not careful, we make it too much of a performance. The occasional reminder to “sing joyfully” or “smile because the words speak of God’s goodness” is well placed. Telling everyone to smile is phony and reduces the choir members to mere actors on a stage.
A smile may look better and is usually the best demeanor, but one that is forced does not reflect the true heart of worship. Sometimes we have to deal with what’s in our hearts. We can have peace, assurance, and comfort in our worship–but that doesn’t mean a smile is always right.
The reason many choir members don’t smile is that we are simply reflecting what we see from the members out in the congregation who look like they have been beaten up and can hardly stand up. Some are half asleep and not tuned in to this world it seems. Many are out there texting and on their iphones and computers. It’s very hard to sing to someone who looks like they don’t like you or could care less about singing.
Worship is not a production. It is a heart matter! I have been in this boat and I can tell you first hand that I know in my heart that my worship is authentic. By the way, to say someone does not appear to be worshipping is very close to judging. Only God knows the condition of the heart. I know people who get up on Sunday’s, put their face on and stand up on stage and worship like nobody’s business and then live for the world the next day. I would rather see a choir with blank faces and worshipping our Savior with authenticity then to put on a fake show! Be careful that you are not judging because as the word says , you will be judged the same way. You don’t know people’s heart! Worship comes from the heart not a smile.
How do you know choir members aren’t enjoying singing for God? People show their feelings in different ways. Doesn’t mean they’re wrong. Sometimes the joy in the heart just doesn’t translate that well.
Good choirs smile when it is appropriate. During singing it is rarely appropriate since a smile often will lead to bad sound formation. Obviously our writer does not knoe much about what is involved in singing.
They have to look ar all the the Sour faces in the congregation!,
Proper singing requires the mouth to be open vertically. Smiling spreads the mouth horizontally. The two do not mesh, and we need to stop telling choir members to smile. I tell my choir to smile with their eyes. A similar issue is choir members who feel they need to look at the congregation or close their eyes. Soloists can do that all they want, but the only place a choir singer’s eyes should ever be is on the director.
I have been a choir member for years, and think that this is really more about being genuine in your worship. If you are, the congregation will get it; maybe not today, but eventually! I am a very sensitive person and it is not uncommon for me to cry during a powerful anthem. Whatever feelings you show, just show feeling. Show that you are moved by the spirit; worshipping, not just performing. God commands us to disciple, and as a choir member, we are leaders of our congregation. We are disciples. That goes for our singing, as well as all time in the choir loft. It is just as important to reflect God’s love any time we are in the choir loft. There is always somebody in the congregation watching, and God is always watching. I love singing, and I want the congregation to know it without having to say it! Be genuine.
I am school member. There are many reasons why we might not smile: 1) It’s a really difficult song and we’re concentrating hard 2) we’re dealing with our problems 3) we don’t like the style of the song 3) we don’t feel good 4) we forget 5) it takes too much effort 6) we’re doing good just to get to church much less the choir loft..
Choir members don’t smile because for most, it takes all the concentration to get the job done, done correctly and thus, their minds are on different things. Unlike the folks on Broadway who sing the same music 7 or 8 times a week for months, maybe years on end (all from memory), choirs only perform a song once – – or once a year at best with the choral scores in their faces. Broadway singers can concentrate on how they look because ALL of the words, notes, and dance steps are so ingrained their ‘muscle memory’ they no longer have to make a conscious effort at it – – freeing themselves to now relate to the audience – – and smile – – as if to say – – “isn’t this spectacular? I hope you love it as much as I love doing it.” (or, at least faking loving it). Choirs rarely have such a privilege.
Sitting up in the chancel means you are being watched. It is not entertainment but the congregation is educated in all of it. Details are being noticed, similar to sports events. My approach is to look at what is going on in the service attentatively, among other things that means look at the pastor (‘s neck) while he holds the sermon, he may turn around suddenly and look straight at you. Further try not to scan the congregation or rather do it gracefully and covertly (yes I admit I make marks in the bench when certain people appear, I know it all!), and when there is someone singing a solo, do not follow along in your music but look at the singer (‘s neck) and put on a smile. Also, when gettting ready and there is the connection between the director and the choir, typically the director looks at us with a concentrated but smiling face when he gives the sign to raise the music, so we all smile back. That already makes a big difference.
Excuses, excuses! Grow up and smile. Some of you act like you’re conducting the most difficult science experiment in the world. It’s just a little smile, people. You are not assuming God has the power if you think that He cannot overcome an intonation problem through a smile. I guarantee a joyous choir is a far better gift to God and. Representation of His love for us than a choir with no joy shown at all. You are not only worshipping God, but don’t you see that may be inspiring others to worship as well? Can’t you overcome your excuses and reach out beyond yourselves? Try. God is so much bigger than your fears and excuses.
I taught elementary music for 30+ years. And for most of that time, to the present, I’ve also directed children/adult choirs. Now as a director of a church choir, I find that many of the same ‘tricks’ I used with my young students work equally well with adults! As a previous replier stated, an exaggerated smile or a silly frown will elicit smiles from the choir just before singing. That only applies to songs that are upbeat, joyful in theme, and usually easy to sing. Again, the raised eyebrows and eye expressions will do as much, or more, to convey emotion to the congregation as a smile. And as many have already commented, we are not in the choir loft to entertain or perform. We are there to exalt God’s holy name, to lift up Jesus and rejoice in His amazing grace to us! Often, I have found, the congregation needs the understanding of true worship more than the choir. Blessings to all directors and singers, who proclaim and praise our God!
Here is a choir members point of view!!! I have often looked into the pews to see so many blank faces and wondered why they do not smile when we are singing and yet and the end of service they come to tell the choir how beautiful and inspirational the song is. I do not believe that people are aware that they are not filled with joy. The music of the lord is so uplifting it should create incredible energy and join all souls together with amazing grace.
This is more about marketing than it is about worship. We all have different ways of expressing ourselves in worship. God is looking at something besides our facial expression,He’s looking at our heart. I’m not sure I’ll be able to do anything but fall prostrate before Him when we finally meet. If we concentrate on true worship I’m sure we won’t notice whether or not our neighbors are smiling.
My dear, perhaps you should learn a bit more about singing technique – as well as paying attention to pitch and blending your sound into your section. Smiling is often difficult when one is concentrating on production of the best sound.
Do you expect orchestral musicians to smile while they perform? Does your pianist or organist smile as they play? Being a musician is a serious task, one that is never truly mastered. Respect your craft.
I am always having people come up to me after services and tell me that they got a blessing out of watching me sing to my Lord. I let it show…. sometimes I cry a bit, sometimes my hands go up some… and sometimes I’m one giant smile. I wish my fellow choir members would join me in my joy for serving God. They sometimes think I’m showing off… but me and God know that I’m praising him with the voice He gave me. I’ve read enough to make me think about having the choir taped and letting them see what everybody else sees.
Hon, people worship God differently. You can’t expect your way to be everyone else’s. There are many people who worship internally, showing nothing on their face.
This is a great article. I read it as showing emotion. More feeling the music, feeling the message than actual smiling from ear to ear. This is certainly a great alternative to frowning & looking angry. And you can show emotion while using proper vocal techniques. I fact, it’s a part of proper vocal techniques.
Great READ.
Being a Seminole and a saved child God is all you need to smile..Thank you God and Go Noles!!!!
Outstanding post! A great read. What an incredible writer!
Churches still have choirs??????
Personally, my choir doesn’t smile. Why? The director puts a lot of focus and stress on the shape of the mouth, We are supposed to have “tall” mouths a majority of the time, and smiling messes up the shape. We are also supposed to have similar mouth shape, and smiles vary from person to person. This means different mouth shapes. Now, one could take time to make every smile the same, but then it would become staged smiles.
I’ve been a musical minister for almost 50 years, and am still learning how. Here are my thoughts on the matter of choirs smiling as they sing. Man looks on the outside; God looks on the heart. A fake smile is, well, fake. Don’t do it! Instead, let worship be genuine, and let it show in our posture, our countenance, whether we’re in choir or the check out line at WalMart. If we’re doing it right, worship never ends. Every act, every word, every attitude is an acknowledgement of Who God is, and who we are!
So instead of simply imploring my singers to “smile,” I ask them, often, to let the lyrics they sing be expressed by their whole body. Sure, sing with proper techniques in order to sing your best, every time, but don’t let that prevent you from truly communicating the meaning of your song. You see, that’s the key – communicating our song to BOTH God and to His people.
If you’re singing Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus, then your whole countenance should express “Hallelujah, for the Lord God, omnipotent, reigneth!” But don’t use that same countenance when you’re singing, “See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.” Yes, both are joyous, but they come from different emotions. Sing from the inside out! Don’t you dare sing “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll” with some fake, superficial, Miss America Smile pasted on your face. Be genuine! Don’t you dare sing, “Some glad morning when this life is o’er, I’ll fly away,” looking like someone just ran over your new puppy! Be genuine, in both your singing and your worship.
Yes, we are singing to God, and He sees our hearts, not just our faces. BUT, we are also singing to God’s people. That is, worship is cross-shaped, with one member going vertical and the other horizontal. “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” is vertical, addressed clearly to Him. “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” is horizontal. Cross-shaped worship reminds us that worship leaders are never just “entertaining the troops,” but we’re not in our private prayer closets, either. We’re leading others to worship, genuinely, authentically. With our hearts, souls, minds, strengths, and yes, even weaknesses!
So smile when it’s called for. But don’t apply that smile makeup when you’re singing a song that is talking about our brokenness, our pain, our bent to sinning. Let your countenance reflect the whole gospel, not just the praising part. (Don’t quibble here, you know what I mean.) Smiling when singing, “I was sinking deep in sin,” communicates that you enjoyed it. May as well add, “Wheeeee!” Okay, I’m exaggerating, but you get the point.
Singing is, in part, exaggerated speech. Exaggerated emotion. Deeper thought. More intense feeling! You will sing your best if your whole body is involved in conveying the meaning of what you are singing. Believe it or not, this is one thing that professional opera singers are taught! One does not have to sacrifice good singing technique on the altar of expression – good technique IS good expression! Genuine expression, authentically acted out!
There. I feel better. How ’bout you? Never mind, I see it on your face!
I know, I’m an old guy, and all my examples have been from traditional music. Don’t assume this is any less important for the praise team vocalists singing Chris Tomlin’s newest “hit.” Let your facial expression, your whole countenance, reflect the message you’re singing.
But the article didn’t even answer the question. I was expecting a real answer to the why and not just a solution.
I so agree. I was a member of the choir; front row, far left. As a child I recall watching them sing of joy unspeakable and full of glory while their faces looked as if their Alka Seltzer had expired…just no fizz fizz. How can you sing Joy Unspeakable and look like your praying for naptime? On the other hand, one can also go a little far. Save the cheerleading squad for the Friday night football team. ” Alright! Praise God! I said praise God! Is anybody with me out there? Oh? One person? Give me a P. Give me a R….” Simple rule of thumb, Look as if your heart is singing the words you sing straight from your heart to God’s ears and sing it from your own experience…not from the page.
You wouldn’t like the sound of the choir if they were made to smile while they sing. I want you to smile really big and sing “Jesus Loves Me.” See? I have always believed that people who go around telling people to smile are doing so because they are looking to feel better by how others act. To tell someone to “smile” is probably one of the most insulting, ridiculous things to tell a person. I’ll smile when it’s natural for me to, not on your command, thank you very much. Besides the choir is only mirroring what they see in the congregation. If you are living a life where you feel the need to tell people to smile, please stop that and look within. People will smile as a result of what you are offering to the world, not because you tell them to. The movie, “The Stepford Wives” comes to mind…… you gotta a sinister smile yourself, lady.