In many choruses, there’s often an unspoken (and sometimes spoken) belief that some people are natural leaders and some are not. We all know those members of the chorus who seem like they’ve been singing since birth, who always seem to nail their notes, rhythms, and lyrics, and who we instinctively rely on to hold everything together. They’re the ones who have taken private lessons, who can read music like it’s their second language, and who sing loudly and confidently enough to keep the section anchored.
When those “anchors” aren’t there, things can feel shaky. Maybe the section doesn’t sound as strong, or it feels harder to stay on track without that person to rely on. And for the non-anchor members, there’s a comfort in that dynamic. It can feel safe to follow someone else’s lead—to count on that anchor to come through when the pressure is on. It’s not as stressful if you miss a rehearsal or forget a lyric, because you can always jump back in when you hear that solid voice right next to you. There’s safety in numbers, after all.
But what if this mindset is actually hurting your chorus? What if it’s hurting YOU?
Let me tell you something important: every single member of your chorus is valuable. And when we place all the weight of responsibility on just a few people, we’re not only putting too much pressure on those individuals—we’re missing out on the full potential of what our chorus can be.
If You’re an Anchor: You Don’t Have to Carry It All
If you’re one of the anchors in your section, you probably feel the pressure to be perfect. You feel like you can’t afford to miss a rehearsal, let alone miss an entrance or a note. You’ve probably shown up to practice when you’re sick, stressed, or just plain exhausted, because you know your chorus needs you. You might feel like without you, the section will fall apart.
That’s an enormous amount of weight to carry on your shoulders. But let me be clear—you are a valuable part of your chorus, not the only part. It shouldn’t fall on just a handful of people to hold the group together. You don’t have to carry that burden alone, and you shouldn’t have to. We are all here to support each other and to learn from one another. No one should feel like the entire chorus depends on them showing up perfectly every single time.
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If You’re Not an Anchor: You’re More Important Than You Think
Now, if you’re not one of the so-called anchors in your chorus, you might think your role is less important. You might feel like your absence won’t make a big difference, or that it’s okay if you don’t have everything down perfectly—because someone else will. But that’s not true. Your chorus needs you, too.
Every person in the chorus matters. Whether you’ve been singing your whole life or this is your first ensemble, whether you read music fluently or learn by ear, whether you’ve memorized every note or you’re still working on it—you are important. You are a vital part of your chorus. When you’re not there, you are missed. Your voice contributes to the overall sound, your presence adds to the culture of the group, and your growth as a musician is essential to the growth of the entire chorus.
A Chorus of Equals: We’re All in This Together
In a healthy, thriving ensemble, every single person matters. We’re all learning, no matter our level of experience. We all have skills to improve, whether it’s tuning that tricky interval, holding your part confidently when others are singing something different, or locking into that perfectly tuned chord. No one is perfect, and no one knows everything—not even your director!
That’s the beauty of being part of a chorus: we grow together. We learn from each other, and we become better as a team. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been singing for decades or if you’re just finding your voice—you belong.
Your Chorus Needs You
Your chorus needs you to be present, both physically and emotionally. Your chorus needs you to take ownership of the music, to learn and grow right alongside everyone else. Your chorus needs you to be a positive, encouraging part of the group culture, helping to lift each other up and inspire each other to be the best we can be.
So, next time you step into rehearsal, remember this: you matter. Every voice is essential to the chorus. You have something valuable to contribute, and your presence makes a difference. The magic of a chorus comes from the collective effort of everyone involved, and when we each step up and take responsibility for our part, we create something truly beautiful.
Let’s make a commitment to each other—not to be perfect, but to be present, to be engaged, and to give our best. Together, we’ll make music that inspires not just our audiences, but each other.
❤
Rachel
SPARK! Music & Artistr 
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