[this is a version of a post which first appeared on my blog From the Front of the Choir]
People sometimes welcome a distraction from watching rows of identically dressed choristers singing with books in front of their faces.
That’s where programmes come in.
Sometimes when we’ve done a significant concert (choir anniversary, charity event) or played a posh or ‘proper’ (you know, the ones where they do ‘real’ music and everyone is formal, dressed up and well-behaved) the issue of programmes comes up.
But I don’t like programmes at concerts.
In my view it stops people from listening to the singing. I guess it’s OK if you’re doing a classical piece which lasts 30 minutes, but if you do short songs like we do (a tyypical concert might have over 30 songs in it), then the song’s over before anyone’s read about it in the programme.
There will be shuffling, digging in bags for spectacles, craning necks and extending arms to shed a bit of light on the programme so it can be read. All very distracting for us singers on stage, and totally distracting for the audience member.
I always give lengthy and detailed background (delivered, I hope, in a light-hearted and witty manner) to each of the songs that we do. Then people can focus on the song itself when we sing it.
If they need to take the information home with them, then they can buy a CD (with extensive information booklet).
Alternatively, we could sell programmes after the concert has finished. A little souvenir of the evening to take home.
Because of our repertoire and style of singing, there is seldom mention of composers, never mention of soloists (there aren’t any) and no mention of instrumentalists (we don’t have any). What people get in our programmes (the rare times that we do produce them) is a little piece about the choir and information about each of the songs we’ve sung. Maybe we should put a few pictures in too so people have even more to look at and entertain them whilst we’re singing!
Do you use programmes in your concerts? Do you think they are a useful thing (or just a way of making some extra money)? Do leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Chris Rowbury: chrisrowbury.com
