Question:
The thread on music stands inspired me to ask for suggestions on a similiar problem. Our church has a choir that stands behind me and the praise band to help lead the worship. We have a large screen behind us for the congregation to view the words to the songs from a ceiling mounted projector, but unfortunately the choir cannot see the screen. I've been trying figure out what's the best way to get the words we have projected for the congregation also projected for the choir to see.
I have considered mounting another projector from the ceiling and projecting the words on the back wall of the church (nice white sheetrock back there!) I have also considered large TV monitors mounted strategically in front of the stage. Anybody here ever had to deal with this? Thanks for any suggestions!
Rick <><
Answer:
Sounds like you have the exact same setup we have. I lead from center stage with the praise band members off to each side. The choir stands directly behind me across the stage facing the congregation. The screen is over their heads and can only be seen by the congregation. We did price out an additional projector for the rear wall, but for now it is not in the budget. Ours would need to be suspended from the ceiling, so that runs up the cost (Power wiring, remote control etc..) In keeping with the music stand thread, each section of the choir (SATB) gets one stand to share. I type up the lyrics in very large font for them and provide a booklet each week with the songs in order of service. I dream of and pray for the day when it will be up on a screen in the back as our current method is very time consuming
Answer:
At my last church, we put a 60" TV in the balcony for them. It also came in handy during the World Series on Practice Night.
Answer:
I am against projecting lyrics on the back wall. It may work with some groups of people, but the choir at my church is obviously now stuck on what is basically the formula bottle of music. Sorry to speak harshly, that's just what it's become. If it's worked at your church, good for you.
I've filled in for friends at other churches where they have tvs cleverly placed on stage (behind flowers, a monitor, whatever) and it works quite well. It is much less of a constant thing, and more of a "I forgot the last word in this line...*looks at screen* oh yeah!" kind of thing. And thats definitely ok in my book.
Answer:
Why do choir members need the words in front of them?
Answer:
Originally Posted by passinthru Why do choir members need the words in front of them?
so they sing the right words?
We have a LCD monitor for the band and on the rare occasions that we have a choir whe do the back wall projection thing.
As worship leader there are maybe 250 songs in my file that I use. I don't know them all word for word, so how can I ask a choir to learn them all?
Answer:
What I've seen used and what works well is having the tv monitors hidden on the platform. Back wall projection can cause squinting.
Answer:
It's annoying if they become dependant on it. If you have a problem with it and it doesn't work, you're all of a sudden in trouble.
Answer:
If you have to do it, project on the back wall. This way, if someone completely doesn't know the words, it still looks like they're atleast singing to the audience instead of looking down. Just don't let anyone get too comfortable with not memorizing.
Answer:
I very much appreciate all the suggestions. I acknowledge what several folks have alluded to, that the choir should strive to memorize the words and not be too dependent on seeing them printed or projected somewhere. However, reality is that is probably unrealistic to expect them to have all our material memorized. For one thing, we still sing a fair amount of old hymns with lots of verses. The lyrics to the familiar hymns are no problem, but those that we sing only occasionally may be a bit harder to recall (even for me.)
The other reason is that our choir is probably like a lot of small church choirs, where we have few musically-trained folks who have the discipline and time to spend in memorizing the words. Even though I encourage the choir members to try to not stare at the words when they sing, reality is that they'll have to have the words in front of them to keep them on track. I just appreciate their willingness to serve the Lord in the capacity of 'assistant worship leader', even if they have to have cheat sheets!
Once again, I appreciate all of you and and your suggestions!
Rick <><
Answer:
We have a projector pointed to the back wall. When I say "back wall" I mean the wall the is behind the congregation, the wall that the choir and singers face when on stage looking out.
We have a balcony area of a sort that people stand on when we need video filmed or such. I'd almost have to draw a diagram, but it's in that area we have the projector mounted and it projects words (or just about anything we need projected for singers and choir) onto that wall.
Because of the balcony, nobody in the congregation is really able to see it unless they turn nearly 180 degrees and look up.
Our biggest problem with it is that the light seems to be staring to dim out on us a little bit. That and whoever is sitting at the computer that controls that screen (and the ones the congregation can see above the stage) sometimes doesn't pay attention and falls behind when changing lyrics.
If there's any possible way to install a projector and project lyrics on the back wall (assuming you have a room with a high enough wall), that might work for you.
Answer:
We use the back wall projection method. It clears some of the music stands in front of the stage though the musicians still need their music stands. I find it works very well but I would also prefer people to memorize their lyrics.
Answer:
A couple 27" to 32" TV's on the stage like floor monitors disguised by a couple big plants do the trick just fine for a lot less cash.
Answer:
I got a pair of 27" LCD TVs for $399 each.
Answer:
Where and what brand? You could get the same size standard TV for $150 or maybe less now...especially if it's a no-name brand like I would presume your $399 LCDs would've been.