A Table Set to Serve: My Philosophy on the Role of a Choral Leader

A Table Set to Serve: My Philosophy on the Role of a Choral Leader

“Tentpoles” are often used when building creative endeavors, from filmmaking to book writing. These usually encompass the overarching reason for the existence of a creative work. They can extend beyond individual projects, too–Pixar has three tentpoles that help it stand, as described in Creativity Inc:

• We are here to make great films
• We believe there is power in safety
• We value change and technology

Tentpoles are the foundation on which something can stand. It’s a valuable metaphor, but as I applied it to my own creative endeavors, I found that it wasn’t the most accurate in describing what I am here to do. Instead, I found that a much more helpful analogy was a table.

A table has four legs that enable it to stand, but the function of a table is what encaptures me. A table is for gathering, for communing. It is a central location on which you can feast or debate. A table must be sturdy enough to withstand however much weight is put on it. But at the end of the day, a table exists to help serve. This is the core of my mission as a choral director: to serve my singers and community to the best of my ability.

When I moved into my last apartment in Washington DC, it was the first time I had enough space to have a table. I was so excited. I could already see it: sitting at my dining room table, score studying with a cup of hot chocolate. I was eager to make my dreams come true, but I knew I needed to wait for a table to come along. Being a firm believer in the Buy Nothing Project, I got on my local group and waited for someone to give away a table.

After a few weeks, one popped up. It was a hightop, but it was still a table. I jumped at the chance and got in my car to pick up the pieces of my new table. When I arrived home, the hard part started. I realized I had no idea how to put together a table…and, since this one was who knows how old, there were no instructions! How was I going to put this together? I was at a loss.

Creating a metaphorical table as a creative leader is just as difficult. There is no instruction manual for it. But unlike my dining room table, I couldn’t FaceTime a friend to walk me through what to do. Over time, I have continued to work on my table. Today I will share how I have built it, the legs on which it stands, and my philosophy about how it will continue to change (hint: all creative endeavors must endure a lot of change).

The legs of my table that serve my choirs:

• Authenticity
• Empowerment
• Connection
• Growth

If you have read my creative resumé, you may notice that some of these values overlap. That is intentional; who I am on the podium and what I stand for mirrors what matters in my everyday life.

With these four legs, my table is a powerful force that delivers the important needs of my choirs. My table is not made of wood; it is made of music. So, what does it look like when music is weaved through these four legs?

Authenticity

My first foundational philosophy of being a choral director is about giving my singers the courage to be themselves. Singing is one of the most vulnerable things that we can do. More than that, being in a choir is about so much more than just singing. The subjects we sing about can call us to have conversations on topics that truly matter. Before we can have these difficult discussions, there is groundwork that needs to be laid to build a more accepting community of everyone’s authentic selves.

“Being yourself” can be a tricky line to walk in group settings. Sometimes it can be used as a weapon to make hurtful or inappropriate comments, and then defend it by saying “I thought you wanted me to speak my mind!” Especially as we continue to make progress on more diverse and inclusive choral communities, it is crucial to ensure that every member feels safe. We want people to feel free to express themselves, yes, but how can we show them that their truest self, their most authentic self, is built on a character of kindness and respect?

Part of my mission is to bring out the best in others, and to show them how to seek out the best in others, too. Spreading goodwill and sharing the belief that there is greatness inside all of us can be so ingrained in the choir culture that no one has to even think about stopping themselves from saying something harmful; the thought never exists to begin with. What we think is what we believe. What we believe is what we become. If we create an environment where singers believe that they are all fundamentally good, we can begin to change the world.

Connection

One of the most energizing things about a choir is that it does not happen in isolation. There have been many scientific studies to prove the importance of human connection, and specifically how choir facilitates it, so my purpose here is not an attempt to convince you. Assuming you already buy into the impact of connection, how can we maximize it within our ensembles?

Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued. Achieving this as a person is one thing, but facilitating it as a leader is entirely different. In my experience, the biggest hurdle to achieving connection is fear. If someone is afraid they won’t fit in, they can’t truly belong. This also means that true belonging isn’t passive; it doesn’t occur just because someone joined the choir. As leaders, if we can eliminate the fear and replace it with safety to be oneself (see how authenticity comes into play here?) then we are one step closer to creating a space of true connection.

We live in a polarizing society. If the goal is connection between all people within our ensembles, we need to be sensitive to potential differences and ensure that in a world that sets us up to turn against each other, we are providing an environment that unquestionably unites us. This unity is possible through connection. 

Growth

Growth is the foundation from which everything else in the ensemble can flourish. The goal is not simply to teach them the mechanics of music but to empower them to think critically, reflect deeply, and become lifelong learners. When our paths no longer cross, they can continue to grow, both as musicians and as people, because of our time together.

True growth happens when we push beyond the familiar and comfortable. This is inherently, well, uncomfortable–and it is natural when there is resistance at first. But as choral leaders, we must strive to push beyond this discomfort so that we may “level up” as musicians and people. I frequently give myself pep talks, when I’m in the uncomfy stages of growth, telling myself that I need to stay the course if I want to become Elisha 2.0. (Realistically, I’ve reached Elisha 2.0 dozens of times now, but the symbol holds for me so I continue to use it.)

Growth is not just an individual endeavor but a shared commitment to becoming better together. We all have our own experiences, insights, and strengths. It is through our collective efforts that we truly evolve. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and mutual support, we create an environment where everyone feels empowered to take risks, make mistakes, and grow from them. 

Growth requires us to be brave, curious, and open to change. If this becomes our default setting, we can grow to new heights–as both individuals and as the collective group.

Empowerment

Another vital leg of our choral table is empowerment. What can I actually do? What am I capable of, and how do I know where to even start? These were questions I began pondering in my youth, and thanks to some empowering directors, I began to find my wings and fly. Not just musically, but as a human being. Every day since I realized how I was empowered to succeed, it has been one of my duties to pay it forward.

Empowerment is about action. The goal is to identify areas in which members can begin to take ownership, experiment with their own ideas, and ultimately push forward the mission of the ensemble. It is crucial to note that empowering a choir needs to include ways of pushing them in the direction of where you want the group to go. While it is a wonderful gesture to allow someone to start a new branch within your chorus, if it is taking away from what you’re trying to accomplish on a larger scale, then that “empowerment” may later become a distraction at best, and a crack in the foundation of your organization at worst. Always keep your efforts, and the efforts of those you lead, in focus of the bigger picture.

When empowering our choristers, it’s also important to take note of the subliminal messages we are sending. I go to great lengths to make sure I’m telling my members that they matter first as a person, second as a singer. This extends into the actions I encourage them to take. Their humanity and well-being are always put first. 

It is no surprise that when this translates to empowerment, I want them to feel unstoppable as humans, not just singers. While I do provide opportunities for them to lead musically, it is more important to me to give them avenues to grow as people.

Empowerment breeds ownership. When singers feel that their personal contribution matters, that is when real change begins.

Final Thoughts

The four legs of our choral table—Authenticity, Connection, Growth, and Empowerment—do not exist in isolation; they are interdependent, each reinforcing and sustaining the others. Just as a table requires all its legs to stand firm, a choir thrives when these values are equally strong.

Empowerment inspires action, based on the Growth we have experiences, bred by the Connection we experience as a collective, but only when we are being our Authentic selves. Without any one of these legs, the table falls. And remember, we aren’t building a table to serve ourselves; the table exists for others first. We cannot serve our people without the firm foundation of each. But together, they create a foundation that ensures we remain strong, balanced, and capable of serving our higher purpose.

In the end, the strength of our table reflects the strength of our community. When we commit to Authenticity, Connection, Growth, and Empowerment, we craft a choral experience that is transformative, not just for us as individuals, but for everyone who encounters the music we create. Then, and only then, can we begin to see a brighter future for the choirs we teach and the world at large for generations to come.