Do you have any idea how much work goes into a concert (whether its orchestra, choir, soloist, band)? Let’s talk TIME! I’ll use Christmas music as an example.

It starts with the first music lessons. Maybe it was on the piano, or another instrument, or in a music class in school, a choir; the musical training began with several hours a week, maybe more depending on how much one enjoys the practice time and can study independently at a young age. And, then the practice increases! As you got older, more minutes, more hours a day. By the time I was a music major in college, music was the study of my life,, so at least a full time’s job worth, maybe more! 

Next, the gig preparation. There’s practicing independently, and then the additional time with the ensemble (opera, choir, band, etc….) to put it together. Depending on the efficiency of the musician and difficulty of music, that ranges in the amount of time.

Now let’s think about something like a choir you hear on Christmas Eve. “How much time did this choir need to prepare these songs?”

Consider: 

• Their own independent study of the songs. If they are motivated and really care about musical excellence, they will likly practice some on their own. This includes listening, plunking out notes on piano, etc. Let’s average that at a total of 2-3 hours. Some do a lot more. 

• The practice time as a group, with the choir. In my church choir, two hour-long rehearsals per week, plus additional time on Sundays. 

• We start the Christmas repertoire SIX-WEEKS OUT (mid-November)! So, practicing as an ensemble for Christmas music alone is at least 15 hours! 

• The amount of previous musical and vocal study is unchartable. There is no way to tabulate the exact amount of time and years/decades of study that has brought a singer to the point in which they can learn music more efficiently and accurately, technically! We are talking hundreds, if not thousands of hours.

So, when you sit in the church Christmas Eve, say a prayer of thanks and gratitude for this Christmas gift; the thousands of hours that these musicians and singers have given this glorious art form during their lives. They have worked hard to be able to present such beautiful music for you, their congregation, so that you may feel connected to God through music ministry. Thanks be to God and Merry Christmas!