In May 2025, I wrote an article entitled “When Our Ministries Minister to Us.” It was based on a survey I gave to my church choir with questions about why they sing in the choir. This was an eye-opening exercise because it made me appreciate how dedicated they are to this ministry. As a follow-up to that article, I now share my reflections on the joys and challenges of working with an older choir from a choral director’s perspective.
Back in 2023, when I stepped into the role of choir director at St. George’s, West Kelowna I had no idea what lay ahead. It was my first time in over 40 years of choral conducting where most of the singers were 65+; many of whom had little or no music training. The first challenge was to gain their trust. Legitimately, they didn’t know what to expect from me and were afraid I would make drastic changes because I was their first leader who was a formally trained choir director. I expected them the sing choral warms, follow printed music, and come early to rehearse for Sunday services. Surprisingly, they adjusted very well. It was I who had a lot to learn; a process that has taken a good few years.
What I learned was that I had to slow down, to be patient, to be sensitive to their needs, to adjust my expectations, to not assume they knew musical things I take for granted, to remember that praise and encouragement is important, and to have fun. This required quite an adjustment for me because I was used to conducting cathedral choirs, university choirs, and high-level auditioned choirs – serious stuff with trained musicians that learn at a faster pace!
When working with a senior-aged choir, patience, slowing down, and sensitivity are so important. I have learned to take into account the limitations within the group, such as hearing and sight impairments, mobility issues, and vocal ranges. (As one who is now in the 65+ age bracket I have become much more sympathetic to these issues.) Practically speaking I have had to remember to speak louder, slower, and expect to repeat instructions more than once as some of my singers take longer to process information and to find page numbers. By the same token, it is my job to train them in choir protocol and etiquette, and to stay focused. This means teaching them that it is not okay to chat as soon as they stop singing or when another part is rehearsing; teaching them to organize their music and turn to the next hymn once they are done singing the previous one; teaching them to look up from their music to watch me for tempos, entrances, cut offs, cues, and dynamics. All this has had to be accomplished while constantly reminding myself to be patient (which I admit is still sometimes difficult for me). I must reinforce what it means to be a choral singer through repetition, encouragement, and praise.
From a musical perspective one of the main issues with an older choir is their limited vocal range. As one gets older high notes aren’t as easy to sing as they once were. I must transpose or choose music in comfortable keys and choose music within their capabilities. I have to teach them how to listen to each other and to shape their vowels and consonants with uniformity so their voices blend into one choral sound rather than a group of individuals because they are responsible for leading and supporting the congregational singing.
Creating a bond and working as a team is probably my most important learning. I make sure to greet the members and have conversations with them before rehearsals, listen to and share news, stories and jokes, as well as spend time getting to know them at coffee hour and other church events. Good choral leadership is more than just getting down to business. Because of St. George’s choir I have grown and learned to a better conductor and a better person, and for that I am truly thankful.
