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Views from the Choir Loft

Are You a Servant Leader?

Richard J. Clark · December 13, 2013

URING THIS BUSY LITURGICAL SEASON, when music directors are often overwhelmed, there is little time to think, no less listen to others. However, it still might make sense to take stock of what kind of leaders we are. It is not enough to just be a good musician. We must be smart about our leadership.

A colleague recently sent me this article: How to Become a Servant Leader, by Emma Johnson. Although written for those in the business world, the wisdom here fits beautifully in the world of sacred music. Putting moral, ethical or even altruistic reasons aside, there is a simple pragmatism here of getting the very most productivity out of not only employees but also volunteers, especially if one is a director.

The opening line alone is intriguing: “Bossing around employees is so passé.” The very essence of what a conductor must do is tell people what to do. This doesn’t change, but giving people the tools and emotional environment to accomplish what a director asks is key.

Emma Johnson writes:

“Bossing around employees is so passé. Developing people, treating them with respect, encouraging their talents and input—these are trends that research has proven build strong companies and give them the competitive edge. Servant leadership—the philosophy of focusing first on the needs of employees and customers—has gained popularity in recent years, with numerous Fortune 500 firms like TDIndustries, Aflac and Synovus subscribing to its principles.

“If you really listen to your colleagues and figure out how to get them what they need, they will perform at a higher level, which improves the customer experience, which affects business results,” says Kent Keith, CEO of Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership…The essence of servant leadership—serve the employees first, and success with clients will follow—might appear to be the antithesis of modern business.”

She breaks down the basic areas of “Servant Leadership” into five areas:
• Listen
• Appreciate
• Respect
• Develop
• Unleash (Let the gifts of your musicians shine!)

This model is perfectly applicable to music ministry. Furthermore, leadership and authority are two very different things. Some with authority do not command respect. Many without authority have more influence than those in charge. Servant leadership in no way compromises authority or clarity of direction. It does not necessarily mean making everyone happy. In fact, a Servant Leader will usually earn the respect and trust of others. Do so, and you can change the world.

Finally, I offer a FREE DOWNLOAD (PDF) of a setting of Psalm 96 for the Christmas Mass at Midnight based on chant Puer natus for SATB, Schola, Organ, and 2 Trumpets. Were I a better servant leader, I would have made this tool available sooner! (One may discern much from negative example.)

The multipage PDF includes:
• Full score
• Trumpet parts
• Choir/Cantor part
• Congregation insert.

To find Responsorial Psalms for the entire liturgical year by several extraordinary composers, look to the Chabanel Responsorial Psalms. These are made available for FREE by a true servant leader, Jeff Ostrowski.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Servant Leader Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“One must pray to God not only with theologically precise formulas, but also in a beautiful and dignified way. The Christian community must make an examination of conscience so that the beauty of music and song will return increasingly to the liturgy.”

— Pope Saint John Paul II (26 February 2003)

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