Choral Ethics: Don’t Waste My Time!

“If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality.” Benjamin Franklin

ChoralNetter, Kristie*, wrote to me a few weeks ago about a problem she is seeing—AGAIN–as rehearsals begin this fall; the lack of punctuality of her fellow choral singers. I wrote about something similar a few years ago but it is a perpetual problem for choral singers.

I believe tardiness is a respect issue. It is not only time management and respect for the other singers, the accompanist and the director but a lack of respect for other people’s TIME. It wastes time, waiting to begin rehearsal for those who are late, or if rehearsal has already begun, having to repeat markings or announcements for those who walk in late, oblivious. It is a huge waste of time for all of those in rehearsal who are there when they are supposed to be, in their seats with pencils ready, waiting for the downbeat.

Maybe some who are always late look at themselves as “just singers” and not “real” musicians. Instrumentalists, especially if they are in a professional orchestra, are taught to be “on-time” or they will be docked pay and, as a result, are not usually late unless there are extenuating circumstances. 

Kristie, I know your choral directors appreciate your punctuality. I also know that your being “on-time” or even early will influence their decisions for solos. Being dependable and professional is something that can’t be overlooked in our business! 

Amy* told me she was a bit afraid to contact me. She was worried I would think her problem wasn’t a problem. Amy had no way of knowing I had been in her shoes more than once in my career.

A mother of two young children, Amy has two part-time jobs. She is the director of choirs at a small church and directs a community children’s chorus. As part of those jobs, she is required to attend committee and board meetings regularly. She also has a regular once-a-month staff meeting at the church.

Her church staff meetings are not the problem. It is usually the same Wednesday morning every month, except when Easter and Holy Week fall either right before or right after. That meeting is rescheduled so everyone, from church secretary to clergy to musicians to sexton, can be on the same page for Holy Week and Easter. The staff knows when their rescheduled meeting will be almost a year in advance because, at their Lenten meeting, they look at the next year’s calendar and choose the date. The clergy respects everyone’s time and for that, Amy is grateful.

Amy attends her Children’s Chorus’s Board meetings regularly. It irks her that half the board is late with no apologies but expects to be brought up to speed when they walk in. This takes time and often causes the scheduled 90-minute meeting to extend to two hours. Amy has young children and often must leave at a certain time due to childcare issues or needs to pick up a child from Brownies or other activities. She is made to feel guilty for needing to leave when the meeting is scheduled to end, mostly by members of the Late Board! It is those same Board members who bring their own children late to rehearsal and then complain their kids don’t know their music. Amy feels her time is not being respected—as well as the Board members who are on time– when they come late to a meeting or bring their child after rehearsal has begun.

I understand Amy’s dilemma and gave her some advice. I tell people I am flexible, except when I’m not. I’ve been using that line myself in similar situations for a long, long time. It does two things. One, it makes people think about what you’ve just said. And two, it is the truth. Oh, and it’s time to think about a tardy policy for that chorus!

*Name Withheld