Summer is the season that we do things we don’t have time for in our normal life routines. Sometimes this is a great thing (vacations); sometimes….well, maybe not so much. But we all accept that these extracurricular events are the nature of summertime.

So how about an extracurricular activity that benefits your music ministry?

Have you thought about putting on a summer music camp? I can almost hear your collective groans as you think about planning and executing another VBS-type production for kids: bells, whistles, light shows, unhealthy junk foods, and all manner of craziness. These are the types of events that make us all yearn for the plodding routine of September through May.

But let’s take the kids out of the mix for a second. Have you ever planned a week of evening classes (or a series of classes during the summer choir break) for your ADULT CHOIR, and dedicated it to working on things for which you don’t have time in your normal rehearsals? Important things —- like learning to read music on a staff; how to read tricky rhythms; understanding theory; private voice lessons — just to name a few. These are things that would GREATLY enhance our choir experience, and yet we rarely have time to focus on these elements during our choir season. There’s just so much music to learn in such a short time. In my experience, there are many choir members who would LOVE to learn and grow in these areas. They just need someone to provide them the opportunity and tell them where to go.

Just imagine working with a choir that could read music better. Just imagine choir rehearsals that didn’t involve spending 15 minutes each rehearsal working through the same tricky rhythm of the same song for 4 weeks in a row. Imagine a choir rehearsal (and performance) where the singers use better vocal technique. Now imagine that this new and improved choir is YOUR choir! Am I making a case for this?

Of course, you can take this same concept and add the children back in. Summer Church Music Camp doesn’t need to revolve around learning and performing a children’s musical production in one week. What about a children’s Summer Worship Arts Camp, where they can choose from electives: worship sign language, drama, music games (ie: music theory, but we don’t let the kids know that, of course!), worship technology (sound systems and video making), drum circle, and the list can go on and on. You may have to pull out a few of those gross unhealthy snacks I mentioned above. All for a good cause, of course!

May you all have a summer blessed with both relaxation and productivity!

EDITOR’S NOTE:

While doing your extracurricular activities, cool off by listening to Heather’s new cantata, Little Lion, Little Lamb.