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Essentials in
Lead the Chapter
Recreational chapters are the foundation of our Society
It starts with having fun week in and week out.
Updated: 12/12/2005 10:20:52 AM
Admit it. Most of your chapter members don’t want to work hard to perfect their craft. They just want the fun of ringing chords with friends. Nothing wrong with that.
Consider that most people don’t take bowling lessons, they just go bowling. Songbirds sing.
The first time I walked into a barbershop chapter, I didn’t go to improve my singing, I just went to sing. Probably you did too. Upwards of 80% of our chapters are primarily recreational, and maybe that is a good thing.
Maybe we are best helping our members in this fast-paced, stressful world by providing a harmonious haven from the cares of the day. “Singing is a tonic for the careworn, doctors say it’s good for our morale,” in the words of an early Society song.
Psychologists (and ministers at funerals) often encourage us to “live in the moment,” fully savoring our lives. “Who cares what the morrow shall bring.” Recreational chapters, with their focus on enjoying fellowship in a song, not focusing on the next contest and not judging chords and weeks by whether they show improvement, may offer the purest form of barbershop enjoyment. Such chapters can feature spontaneity and joy.
We should honor the choice of men who believe that they already have enough work, competitiveness, and striving in their lives, and don’t want to add any more on Tuesday nights.
So it is just as legitimate to be a recreational chapter as an improvement-oriented or competitive one. Our Society wisely believes in helping each chapter reach its goals. Now that we’ve gotten that figured out, where does the director fit in?
The smart director of a recreational chapter doesn’t try to change its goals. Not only would that frustrating for you, it would not honor the choice of the chapter members. Don’t worry, their singing will probably improve anyway, as the men gain in experience singing together and the group grows in energy and attendance.
Look inside yourself. Is there a director within who needs to lighten up a little? Laugh a little more? A director who could have the mission of helping the men have so much fun that they will want to bring their friends?
There is no need to feel inferior as the director of a chapter that is not “serious.” Consider the strengths of a recreational chapter. The men relate to each other and to the music in a recreational way. It is not about who is the best. It is all about the relationships, making harmony together. You can have a ton of fun, live longer, enjoy life.
In future articles we’ll explore how to nurture and build the recreational chapter, pumping in fun and energy so it thrives.
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