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Stick Time: Just One Way to Attract More Guys

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Most of us in the choral profession are on a near-constant hunt for more male singers.  That is not to say that the females in our choirs are not valued; it’s just that, well, guys are somewhat scarce by comparison.  It is a challenge for choirs representing all ages; from boys to adult singers.
 
Yes, we discussed this in a ChoralBuzz column last month that featured a boychoir.  You can bet your last dollar we’ll discuss it again.
 
Among the many factors in the cultivation of male singers is the selection of repertoire.  In this selection from the 2009 ACDA National Conference, a male ensemble sings a work from the barbershop repertoire.  That uniquely American genre has been demonstrated to be interesting to both the singers and the audience (as evidenced by the enthusiastic roar that begins well before the piece has concluded).  Imagine what an infusion of barbershop literature could do toward enhancing the ratio of male-to-female singers in your choral program.
 

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  1. This, of course, is a constant source of concern for directors.  A couple of things about this video makes me think that:
     
    1.  It’s taking full advantage of the “movement” factor that, at least at the elementary and middle school levels, directors have commented about as being something quintessential to getting and keeping guys in choir.
     
    2.  The fundamental humor of the song itself is a VERY strong factor.  If it makes people smile or be enthusiastic, guys are all for it!  This isn’t to say that ladies aren’t, but it’s the sort of music that’ll bring out all that “guy” sensibility. 
     
    3.  Something I heard a choral director (a man) say to a middle school barbershop quartet (a very good one, for their ages) at a competitive festival:  “Guys, let me share a little secret with you:  guys can get away with ANYthing!”  His point was that people’s expectations are low when it comes to what male voices, especially at the middle and high school levels, can do, that when they do something well, enthusiastically and with superabundant energy, people are blown away.
     
    4.  Unfortunately, this approach has limited applicability in certain church situations.  If one is a director in a church where rousing, uplifting, rip-roaring song is a constant, the approaches mentioned above can work.  However, in circumstances such as my own, there is a constant care necessary to tie what is sung to what is being read and preached for the day, and that focus CANNOT be drawn to the choir’s singing as mere “performance.”  Readers on this site know where I have come down on the distinction between “presentation” and “performance.”  What this video shows is “performance” – and a great one – and the circumstances allow, no, even encourage it.  But in the type of sacred setting in which I work, it has to be “presentation” – and all focused on the point of worship.  So this sort of music and approach has almost no applicability to the types of circumstances in which directors such as I find ourselves.  I will admit, however, to occasionally picking a hymn that I KNOW the congregation will get into – but it doesn’t draw men in as a result.  (But at least I see some singing!)
     
    Where this approach to men singing can work, use it – and the rest of us will love it!
     
    Chantez bien!
     
    Ron

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