Choral Potpourri: A Lesson in Creativity

“There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.” Henri Matisse

I am creative. Whether I am programming a concert or making a meal, I can’t help but be a bit outside the box from what others do. Sometimes my flashes of creativity are successful and sometimes they are not. I celebrate my successes and move on from the failures knowing I’ve at least learned something. Most choral directors/conductors I know are like that too; we have to be!

Much has to do with our training, knowledge of composers and what will work with whom we have to work with. We are able to be creative if we have a foundation and knowledge of repertoire. Or we can throw it all out the window if it makes sense. The better our training, the more tools we will have to be able to be creative, whatever our situation.

The more restrictions placed upon us, the more creative we have to become. After a perfectly creative solution to a perfectly restrictive situation, we feel better about similar situations, can relax and be more creative. Being creative and successful feeds our future creativity, if you will. Marcus* was thrown into a situation a few years back which changed his way of looking at things.

Marcus is the choir director for a Presbyterian church in a large metropolitan area. The Presbytery meets once a month, rotating through the churches within the Synod, with a worship service ending the afternoon/evening meetings. The Preaching Clergy chooses the topic of the sermon, with scripture reading reflecting the time of year as well as the Presbytery’s theme for the year. Music is the responsibility of the hosting church. The hosting church knows about eight months in advance so they may organize a meal for all of the attendees.

One September morning, Marcus was called in to the Senior Pastor’s office. He was told their church would be hosting the Presbytery’s December meeting. In fact, they were asked to host on short notice because the original hosting church was no longer able to. The Women’s Association’s president had just been told. She was storming out of the Pastor’s office, livid they would have to organize and serve a meal for over 100 people with less than three months’ notice when other churches often had eight or nine months to prepare. Marcus didn’t blame her!

Marcus was stunned, as you can imagine. He had had music for December anthems and an Advent cantata chosen for months. Pastor also told him he would have to work with a number of specifics, including the Preaching Clergy expecting to have final say as to anthem selection. The only “heads up” he was given for his selection before the October meeting with the Preaching Clergy was it should be somehow Advent related. His choir had heard “the buzz” before choir practice that week and was already up in arms about the short notice. Marcus wasn’t so happy himself.

When it came time for his meeting with Preaching Clergy, he gritted his teeth, bringing several anthem selections. Since he didn’t know the other specifics, he was really just winging it. The Preaching Clergy was a lovely person with very specific ideas of what she wanted, since the anthem would be sung right after her sermon. Marcus had already been told it was to be Advent related. As well, the Presbytery was highlighting children’s worship that day. The theme for the year was African-American worship contributions so the Preaching Clergy wanted something related to all three; Advent, children and African-American worship.

At first, Marcus was not able to come up with anything off the top of his head until the Senior Pastor suggested they go to the choir room. As soon as he stepped through the door, Marcus knew the piece he would suggest; an SATB setting of “Children, Go Where I Send Thee.” His choir had done it for a Christmas pageant a few years before and it was perfect for this occasion. Preaching Clergy loved it, so did his Senior Pastor and his choir was happy with the choice. When they sang it for the Presbytery, they clapped along to a person!

Now, Marcus isn’t concerned when something is thrown at him. He responds with good grace and thinks because of what happened he is more creative than he has ever been. Sometimes, he even enjoys restrictions!

*Name withheld