Why does the choir sing from memory?

Everyone knows that eye contact is vital.  If we tell our spouse, "I love you," yet we look at the floor while saying it, our words have little impact.  Each Sunday, hen we are telling people "I love Jesus," or "Listen to what I am saying about Jesus," yet we don't care enough to look at them...the message is watered down.  The following is how we help you learn notes, rhythm, and words on a weekly basis without being stressed out!

• An audio demonstration and online copy of the music is available for your weekly rehearsal on this blog.  Please do not download or copy these, but use them online.  This is the agreement we have with the publishers/copyright holders.
• We try to rehearse the songs a minimum of three weeks in advance in our Wednesday rehearsals.  Repetition is the best natural teacher.
• We are fortunate to have a stage display TV on the back wall to feed us words and minimal cues to help us sing our anthems.  While it is a great help, it should not be used as an excuse for not memorizing music.  It's purpose is to provide us confidence.  Basically, you only have to memorize the notes and the rhythms.

A final reason for memory is that this format is the only hope for a decent sound mix each week.  The choir mics can't pick up sound from the top of your head...only your mouth.  

Special Note:  There may be weeks when we just can't pull of the musical demands of a certain song.  Thus we may use music and folders.  Remember, when you enter the loft, carry folders in the hand which is away from the congregation