You are appreciated

Filed in Thoughts on December 18, 2009



This Christmas season has been pretty tough.  I only scheduled one Christmas concert (in Pittsburgh this Sunday).  But since I have not done much arranging of Christmas music in the past, I had to learn the whole concert in a few months, and will be performing the music for the first time this weekend.

In addition to that, I had the normal holiday music requirements.  I played for the cantata at my church, accompanied in recitals for my children, recorded some Christmas music with Kelsey on her violin, played for a Christmas banquet, and so on.

I am like pretty much any other pianist.  I want (and usually need) to practice the music I perform whether it is accompanying the choir or playing solos.  But the reality is that during this time of year, church pianists are often overloaded and have to settle for trying to do the best they can without enough practice.

Much of what I played this season was largely unpracticed.  I wish that were not the case, but that is just the way it had to be.  Many church pianists know exactly what I am talking about.

Playing without practice is a nerve-wracking thing because the pianist often carries an awful lot of responsibility.  In churches where the piano is the primary instrument, mistakes can cause a train wreck.  If a choir member or string player makes major mistakes, no one will likely ever know.  But the pianist cannot afford to make those kinds of mistakes.

I know many of you are in the same boat, so here is my advice:

1) Don't feel guilty if you don't have time to practice enough to make every song perfect.  Just do the best you can.

2) Remember that you will normally be performing with people that will make their share of mistakes too.  Perfection is not a realistic goal in volunteer settings.

3) Say "no" as much as you need to.

4) Don't get discouraged.  I have said before that there is likely no other volunteer position in a typical church that requires more time, skill, and responsibility.  I know that the accolades usually do not match the responsibility.  But try not to worry about accolades.  As the Bible says, "don't do things for the praise of men."

I am only a part time church pianist now, but I remember how hard many of you work and how difficult your job is.  My hat is off to you.


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James
12/19/2009 12:56:27 AM

Hey, Greg... Good advice. As a church pianist, it's easy to get stressed. At our church we're constantly looking at ways we can spread the burden between multiple accompanists. Many churches aren't fortunate to have that option. My hat goes off to the single church pianists who do it all!

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