Here are ten tips for church singers in regards to communication. What is the best way to communicate the message of your music to a congregation? Here are some fabulous ideas from my teacher and mentor, Ray Gibbs.
I hope that you are able to benefit from these words of wisdom about communication in church music. Please leave comments below if you have any additional thoughts. Ray Gibbs received his first degree in Voice Performance at San Diego State University, and then earned a Master of Music degree in Opera Theater at Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He made his debut with the New York City Opera Company in 1968, before he was out of graduate school. He joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1970 as the youngest baritone on the roster, then three years later made his debut as a tenor in the role of Romeo (Gounod's Romeo et Juliette). He performed a number of leading roles at the Met and has sung with regional Opera Companies all over the United States as well as with many Symphony Orchestras. He served as Distinguished Professor of Voice at Memphis State University and as Artist in Residence at Pensacola Christian College. He continues his singing ministry in churches throughout America with his wife, Ann, and daughter, Christina, and continues teaching voice in his private studio. See more at his website, raygibbs.com.
9 Comments
Bethany McDonnell
10/8/2012 10:53:10 am
I definitely appreciate Mr. Gibbs and his wise words of council to the Christian singer. What a great reminder!
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Shawn
10/9/2012 03:51:37 am
11. Memorize the song you're singing. Holding a CD insert in your hand tells the congregation - "I prepared, but not too much." Incumbent on Ministers of Music to schedule singers enough in advance for this to happen.
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8/28/2016 02:29:54 pm
Agreed on all above counts. Add these two to your list: (1) if you don't personally believe what you're singing when asked to present a solo in the church, find something in the lyrics that you can genuinely embrace, and deliver that bit of commitment to the best of your ability. Of course, if the lyrics are completely out of your belief circle, then exercise discretion and suggest an alternative solo of your choice which may be an acceptable substitute. (2) If a member of the congregation or, God forbid, that musicians shouldn't be paid for performing in churches, just remind them of King Solomon's proverb: "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn", and then casually slip in the fact that the Book of Leviticus makes it tremendously clear that the Temple priests and musicians were paid in grain and meat and other sustainable, from the offerings brought by the congregation of Israel. That ought to shut 'em up! We musicians don't put in countless thousands of hours and many years of dedicated study to perfect our art, only to have it de-valued by clueless people who probably think that even preachers shouldn't be paid!
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Mandy Y Loriot
9/11/2020 03:11:21 pm
I was glad to find this but unfortunately the URL to his website isn't working!
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Rick McD
9/19/2020 06:12:01 pm
Mandy, thanks for pointing that out. I'll see if I can get an updated link. Blessings!
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