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my life in church music
May. 26th, 2019 12:02 pmI serve a medium sized church, so the pool of musicians isn't terribly big. The standout female singer, since before I arrived, is someone we'll call the Diva. I quickly learned she was notoriously a late arriver, and always had lots of suggestions for improving on what I had planned.
She took early retirement last year, 20 years on a government job (she's probably in her late 40s). She wanted to spend more time with her teenage daughters, one of whom has some special challenges, but I think she's terribly bored. Suddenly she's quite sure she knows how to do every job best-- mine, the church admin's, the deacons, etc.-- and frequently goes ahead and changes plans that have been made, but never steps up to help with early planning. As for music, the chronic lateness has gotten worse to a major degree, mostly blamed on family stuff at home. Some weeks she comes after worship has started, joins the choir and sings. She signs up for solos and then backs out, often very late.
Today is feeling like a last straw. I put out my usual request for 'special music' because of the holiday weekend, and she was the only responder, so I sighed and marked her down. When I got pastor's sermon info, "God Help the Outcasts" was an obvious fit, and I know Diva and her elder daughter have sung it so I suggested it. It's a favorite song of two other singers, including my daughter. I hesitated because I wasn't sure how well Diva would work with one of the others, but asked if I could invite them to join in, and she said yes.
Then last night I got email that Diva's family had a schedule problem and might not make it; if they came they'd have to leave right after singing. I sent back that it was up to them; daughter and I could do it by ourselves or with the other singer if they'd rather not have such a complicated morning.
At rehearsal time this morning, it's just daughter, other singer, and me. Other singer is hurt that I was letting anyone else do "her" song (spare me) but we worked on it and it was sounding pretty good. Then the Diva walks in, 20 minutes late. At this point clearly I have no options that don't insult someone. Other Singer has just commented that she didn't feel good about the final high note, so I ask her if she'd like some backup, as Diva is a soprano... .and Other Singer says Diva can just do it, and stomps out of the room. I just look at Diva, and she follows, and eventually they came back, and ultimately they did sing (along with my stalwart daughter).
Pastor and I will confer later this week, but at this point my inclination is to refuse to schedule Diva again; or at least to only schedule her for solos, and if they fall through, let that fall on her.
And the other shoe? Diva is the Elder in charge of Personnel. She's my boss.
She took early retirement last year, 20 years on a government job (she's probably in her late 40s). She wanted to spend more time with her teenage daughters, one of whom has some special challenges, but I think she's terribly bored. Suddenly she's quite sure she knows how to do every job best-- mine, the church admin's, the deacons, etc.-- and frequently goes ahead and changes plans that have been made, but never steps up to help with early planning. As for music, the chronic lateness has gotten worse to a major degree, mostly blamed on family stuff at home. Some weeks she comes after worship has started, joins the choir and sings. She signs up for solos and then backs out, often very late.
Today is feeling like a last straw. I put out my usual request for 'special music' because of the holiday weekend, and she was the only responder, so I sighed and marked her down. When I got pastor's sermon info, "God Help the Outcasts" was an obvious fit, and I know Diva and her elder daughter have sung it so I suggested it. It's a favorite song of two other singers, including my daughter. I hesitated because I wasn't sure how well Diva would work with one of the others, but asked if I could invite them to join in, and she said yes.
Then last night I got email that Diva's family had a schedule problem and might not make it; if they came they'd have to leave right after singing. I sent back that it was up to them; daughter and I could do it by ourselves or with the other singer if they'd rather not have such a complicated morning.
At rehearsal time this morning, it's just daughter, other singer, and me. Other singer is hurt that I was letting anyone else do "her" song (spare me) but we worked on it and it was sounding pretty good. Then the Diva walks in, 20 minutes late. At this point clearly I have no options that don't insult someone. Other Singer has just commented that she didn't feel good about the final high note, so I ask her if she'd like some backup, as Diva is a soprano... .and Other Singer says Diva can just do it, and stomps out of the room. I just look at Diva, and she follows, and eventually they came back, and ultimately they did sing (along with my stalwart daughter).
Pastor and I will confer later this week, but at this point my inclination is to refuse to schedule Diva again; or at least to only schedule her for solos, and if they fall through, let that fall on her.
And the other shoe? Diva is the Elder in charge of Personnel. She's my boss.
