1. Kids don’t care if you can’t hit all the notes. Unfortunately for us, the Children’s Songbook is written for children’s slightly higher voices. Don’t be discouraged if your vocal chords fall flat on each high E note (mine does…). Your primary will love you just the same. And hey, in my mind, a less-than-perfect voice range makes you more endearing.
2. GAK (the Gospel Art Kit) is your best friend. Panicked when I did not own a color printer, I had a new GAK shipped overnight to me, priority mail, with shipping costs paid from the piggy bank. Trust me, it’s worth it.
3. Your pianist is the fount of all knowledge. I peppered my pianist with question after question when I was first called. How much time do I have for singing time again? Do we sing a welcome song each Sunday? Are the kids always this adorable? Sometimes choristers forget to acknowledge the brilliance that sits in the corner of the primary room, hidden behind the upright piano.
4. Invest in a laminator, or buy a lot of clear tape and page protectors. Low-budget me uses page protectors because I’m too cool for laminators. Okay I take it back, my mouth waters at those gorgeous thermal, two roller system, quick warm-up Scotch laminators. Sighhhh. A hint for other penny-pinchers out there: you can “laminate” small items by adhering wide clear tape to each side.
5. Get real friendly with your local dollar store. Seriously, if you’re not a block away from a dollar store, your gas bills WILL be higher this year. Poster board, glue sticks, plastic eggs, tri-fold boards, wrapping paper, construction paper, paper, paper, more paper, musical instruments, mustaches, paper cups, fuzzy conducting wands, silly hats, popsicle sticks, jars and plastic containers, tape, balloons, big dice, blah blah blah blah…
What do you wish you knew before starting as a Primary Chorister? I'd love to hear any advice you have to give! Oh, how I love free advice.
2. GAK (the Gospel Art Kit) is your best friend. Panicked when I did not own a color printer, I had a new GAK shipped overnight to me, priority mail, with shipping costs paid from the piggy bank. Trust me, it’s worth it.
3. Your pianist is the fount of all knowledge. I peppered my pianist with question after question when I was first called. How much time do I have for singing time again? Do we sing a welcome song each Sunday? Are the kids always this adorable? Sometimes choristers forget to acknowledge the brilliance that sits in the corner of the primary room, hidden behind the upright piano.
4. Invest in a laminator, or buy a lot of clear tape and page protectors. Low-budget me uses page protectors because I’m too cool for laminators. Okay I take it back, my mouth waters at those gorgeous thermal, two roller system, quick warm-up Scotch laminators. Sighhhh. A hint for other penny-pinchers out there: you can “laminate” small items by adhering wide clear tape to each side.
5. Get real friendly with your local dollar store. Seriously, if you’re not a block away from a dollar store, your gas bills WILL be higher this year. Poster board, glue sticks, plastic eggs, tri-fold boards, wrapping paper, construction paper, paper, paper, more paper, musical instruments, mustaches, paper cups, fuzzy conducting wands, silly hats, popsicle sticks, jars and plastic containers, tape, balloons, big dice, blah blah blah blah…
What do you wish you knew before starting as a Primary Chorister? I'd love to hear any advice you have to give! Oh, how I love free advice.