by Dr. Matthew J. Packer, ACDA-MI Marketing/Advertising Chair
I guess you could say I’m at the mid-point of my career, about 30 years in and around 20 remaining until I can consider that mythical “R” word. In all honesty though, I love what I do and can’t imagine retiring completely unless I am no longer physically able to perform the duties of my calling.
While I remain on this side of the sod, I think it is important to learn and grow so that my teaching is not “tired” long before I re-tire. Think of it as adding tools to the skill set tool box. One such tool that has piqued my curiosity is leadership development. I recently completed a book by a master in this field, John Maxwell, entitled How Successful People Think (New York: Center Street, 2009). I highly recommend this book and feel there are applications throughout the text for a choral director. Let me offer a few thoughts to stir your imagination and encourage you to purchase the book and envision for yourself.
Maxwell devotes eleven chapters to developing ideas on the types and qualities of thought employed by people who are leaders in their field or industry. I will highlight three—focused thinking, creative thinking, and realistic thinking—begin with Maxwell’s insights, then offer my own thoughts as to their application within a choral setting.
Focused Thinking
Maxwell states, “Focused thinking removes distractions and mental clutter so that you can concentrate on an issue and think with clarity” (p. 11). Focused thinking gives ideas necessary time to develop, brings clarity to your target, and takes you to the next level beyond generalized thinking. It helps us identify our priorities, discover our gifts and develop our dreams. We remain focused by removing distractions, making time to think, setting goals, and questioning our progress.
Mastering a choral selection takes concentrated time, attention to detail, repetition, and all the members of the ensemble working together at a high level. In other words, mastery requires focus. In an era of 30-second commercials, three-and-a-half-minute pop songs, half-hour sitcoms, and myriad distractions (e.g. cell phones, social media), focusing is something we must practice and develop. The choir rehearsal is an excellent place for this, in part, because it is a team effort. An individual tends to work harder to not let down the group. When a team goal is accomplished, there is a special sense of being a part of something greater than what could be achieved on one’s own. All of the goals that are set, all of the progress that is made, all of the concentration toward the best possible effort pays off in a performance that all can be proud of.
Creative Thinking
Maxwell asserts that we shouldn’t confuse creative thinking with original thinking. “Most often creative thinking is a composite of other thoughts discovered along the way. Even the great artists, whom we consider highly original, learned from their masters, modeled their work on that of others, and brought together a host of ideas and styles to create their own work” (p. 23-24). Creative thinkers value ideas, explore options, celebrate the offbeat, and don’t fear failure. Engaging in creative thinking adds value to everything, draws people to you and your ideas, helps you learn more, and challenges the status quo.
When I am learning a new piece of music, I enjoy listening to examples from conductors and choruses that I respect. I also appreciate the less-than-stellar performances (YouTube usually has both!). In these performances I hear what worked and what didn’t, what I would try with my groups and what I wouldn’t, and ways of performing the piece I might not have thought of. I use these creative thoughts to lead my choir, based upon our personnel, experience level, strengths and weaknesses, to make the composition sound the best we are able. Mistakes are not failure, they are part of being human, part of the learning process.
Realistic Thinking
“Reality is the difference between what we wish for and what is,” states Maxwell (p. 38). Realistic thinking provides a target and a game plan, is a catalyst for change, gives you credibility, and provides a foundation upon which to build. To be a realistic thinker you should develop an appreciation for the truth, do your homework and get the facts, think through the pros and cons, and align your thinking with your resources.
I am fortunate to direct a number of choirs: two small community college choirs, a male chorus, a church choir, and two inner city high school choirs. Thinking that my college groups should sound like the Cambridge Singers, my male chorus like the Turtle Creek Chorale, or my church choir like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sets us all up for disappointment. It is an unrealistic, “apples and oranges” comparison. Using realistic thinking, we do the best we can with what we have, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of both the choir and the director. Once we know, we can constantly strive to improve, constantly praise and encourage, constantly celebrate each step of progress, and constantly love these people and these groups. When all is said and done, it’s about more than making beautiful music, it’s about enriching lives and developing others who will go on to be enrichers in whatever their field of endeavor. That, my friends, is what changes the world!
Conclusion
At the 2016 fall workshop of the Genesee Intermediate School District, Manny Scott was the guest speaker. Manny was one of the original Freedom Writers whose story was part of the 2007 movie starring Hilary Swank. This man came through unspeakable poverty, domestic violence, being labeled as a failure by his step-father and his school system, and basically dropping out in the 9th grade. He has become a husband and father of two, a small aircraft pilot, a Ph.D. student, and an internationally known public speaker who has inspired thousands of kids just like him and the teachers who work with them. What changed to bring this about? 1) He decided to alter his course, and 2) there were others willing to work with him, love and encourage him, and motivate him to succeed.
Manny shared a story of a workshop he held in Texas. One of the teachers asked him how he would get through to a student who possessed many of the characteristics Manny exhibited in his youth. Manny responded using the adage, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” From the back of the audience a man with a 10 gallon hat and Texas-sized belt buckle piped up. “That is true” he drawled, “you can’t make them drink, but you can give them a salt lick which will make them WANT to drink.”
What are we as educators, as choral conductors? We are that salt lick! We provide the opportunities for music to change a person’s life for the better. We employ focused thinking, creative thinking, realistic thinking and every other type of thinking mentioned in Maxwell’s text in an attempt to reach our students in a significant and meaningful way. As we begin our new seasons this fall, I hope this brings some encouragement to be the salt that inspires the thirst for more and the light that illuminates the gift in each individual. What you have to offer is important and unique to you alone. Fight the fight, run the race, and never give up. What is at stake is too important!
Dr. Matthew J. Packer directs the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers and teaches Applied Voice and Piano Proficiency at Mott Community College in Flint. He also directs the Maverick Singers and Maverick Madrigals at Mott Middle College, the Flint Male Chorus, and the Centrum Choir at the Flushing United Methodist Church. He begins his workday at Swartz Creek High School as their Choir Accompanist. Matt is also involved as Music Director for Swartz Creek Center Stage Community Theater and performs with the duo, Brother 2 Brother, in a variety of sacred and civic settings. He is married to Kristi and the proud father of three adult daughters and one high school aged son.
