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Investing in Young Musicians

8/26/2013

5 Comments

 
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    I planted a pecan tree in my backyard last month.  It was hard work - I even broke a pick-axe doing it.  Now I water it everyday in hopes than it might produce pecans. So far it has been more work than reward but one day it will be more reward than work.  One of a worship arts director's most important roles is to invest time and energy in younger and less experienced musicians.  It will start out as more work that reward, but in time it will be more reward than work.  Here are a couple great ways to do this.

1.  Make young musicians an integral part of the worship community.  Give them important roles in get-togethers and every other aspect of your team besides up front leading.  Invite them to rehearsals and to learn the songs alongside other team members.  You will find some of the more experienced musicians will be drawn to be mentors, which makes this a blessing for everyone.


One of a worship arts director's most important roles is to invest time and energy in younger and less experienced musicians.

2.  Find out, and then chart out their favorite worship song for their instrument (violin, trumpet, tuba, guitar, whatever).  Arrange something that is fun to play and serves the song.  If you don't have the experience to write music find someone who does.  Then give them time to practice that one song at home until they think it is ready.  Take the time to meet with them and practice the song with them.  If they are ready next time that song is scheduled, invite them in for that song with the band and arrange for a new song for them.  There's no need to for them to play the entire set, just the one song they've learned.  This will set them up for success.  If, however, when you meet they aren't ready to play the song, then continue to work with them.  Don't give up.  Share the positive things about their performance, and encourage them in the things they can work on.  Meet with them again when they are ready and repeat the process!  This kind of mentorship will start out as more work that reward, but in time it will be more reward than work.
5 Comments
Wally Schmidt
8/26/2013 07:04:34 am

I think both are excellent ways to get youth involved/stay involved in the music of the church. I have many young musicians who serve on the worship teams at my church, and they all have a fairly large amount of responsibility, and in the work that I have done with them, it has produced great results as well as enthusiasm from the youth.

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Steve Zank
9/3/2013 11:54:28 pm

Wally, that is great to hear! Do you have any tips for us, or techniques you've found helpful in encouraging younger musicians?

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Chris Jack
9/2/2013 05:54:37 am

Great article! Investing time into others is such an integral part of ministry period. And especially in regards to the youth. As a worship leader it is absolutely essential to involve the youth! Not only do people seem to receive from the youth in a special way, but it is specifically healthy for the youth themselves to be involved in important aspects of the church, to be given a role, responsibility. Great article! Can't be emphasized enough!

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Steve Zank
9/3/2013 11:56:54 pm

Thanks for reading Chris. One of the things I think is hard to put into practice is also identifying and encouraging, investing in and supporting "younger" older musicians. People who might be even older than the music director but have less experience musically. It is really gratifying to see the invest impact over time.

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Paul Schwappach
9/5/2013 08:47:39 am

I agree with this one! I've been training and spending time working with 3-4 youth who are very green musicians. One never played anything before this summer and now he's rocking quarter and eighth notes fairly consistently! I gave him a bass and let him borrow my huge amp to practice at home with as well.
The hardest part is knowing how to teach what they need to know to be successful. I know how I got to where I am - a ton of playing and struggling through things like strumming until it clicked. There is a girl that I'm mentoring on guitar a bit and strumming is just hard for me to teach. Any pointers?

This has proven to be a lot of work and it will take much more before fruit is produced. I am however excited for those times and that motivates me when I feel lost and frustrated with what seems like my inability to teach them well. Prayers and advice are more than welcome!

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    Steve Zank is:

    A musician, songwriter, and worship arts leader. As an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod he is able to offer a unique perspective theologically and in accomplishing a vision with your team.  He is based in Austin, TX.

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