A Case for Creative Collaboration in Music

WWe have come to realize that the most profound and memorable music experiences for our students and for us have been the result of collaboration. This is not simply the process of the students and teacher working together, but it is the creative teamwork of a music director with other colleagues from either within or outside of music. This article will make the case for and offer examples of effective collaboration for music directors to create excellent experiences, products, and performances.

Why use collaboration?

Patrick Lencioni (2012) wrote, “Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare” (Lencioni, 2012, p. vii). It is through this powerful use of teamwork that music directors can create experiences for both the performers and the audience that will far outreach experiences created by the music director alone. Although it can often be simpler to have total creative control of the concert, recording, or other event, the result of collaboration justifies the extra effort. When you choose to bring other people into the process, they can add their areas of strength and expertise that can complement your areas of weakness.

Not all collaboration will lead to effective results, however. In fact, poor collaboration is worse than not having any collaboration. It is therefore essential that the director creates effective and disciplined collaboration with their colleagues. Morten T. Hansen (2009) explained, “The idea of disciplined collaboration can be summed up in one phrase: the leadership practice of properly assessing when to collaborate (and when not to) and instilling in people both the willingness and the ability to collaborate when required” (p. 33).

Collaboration for Music Ensembles

I (Zachary Thompson) would like to offer two examples of creative collaboration that have resulted in profound experiences for my choirs. In the first example, I worked with my former high school choir teacher to combine both of our choirs to perform Vivaldi’s Gloria with an orchestra and soloists. This was a great experience that resulted in choirs from different states coming together to learn from each other and experience a timeless masterwork. Due to the relatively small size of our choirs, it would have been very difficult for each choir alone to perform this work. By combining our resources and our singers, we were

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A Case for Creative Collaboration in Music

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able to effectively perform in collaboration.

The second example comes from combining three different musical ensembles that would not normally meet together. For Covenant Day School’s Easter chapel service, I chose to arrange two modern worship songs for band, choir, and string orchestra. I worked with the band teacher to have him prepare the brass players separately and to make sure my writing would fit the skill level of his players. I worked with the chaplain to organize the details of the event. I worked with the sound and media coordinator to provide effective introduction videos, lighting, and audio for the service. I worked with our fine arts director to advertise the service to people both on and off our campus and to take care of all the logistics to make the event a success. These collaborations resulted in an amazing experience not only for the performers but also for the faculty and students at my school. The rehearsals and performance provided an opportunity for the students involved in the various music ensembles to realize they are a part of the larger school music community who were brought together for the common purpose of providing impactful worship music. This form of collaboration brought the entire high school together for the first time in over a year to worship. As a result, we have been asked to create a Lessons and Carols service for the entire school (lower, middle, and high school), providing a greater platform to display musical excellence.

Collaboration in Musical Theatre

Musical theatre is one area in my career that I (Zachary Thompson) have witnessed the power of effective collaboration. In the spirit of promoting collaboration, the following section of this article was written by Covenant Day School’s theatre director, Michael T. Eubanks.

In musical theatre, it is essential for the director and the music director to work in partnership. When it is done well, it causes the audience to feel like a part of the musical. It can produce the feeling of heartbreak for their favorite character’s losses or joy when the protagonist wins. These moments are possible only if all parties involved work together. Talking through the script, adjusting to one another’s needs, and making the show line up to the vision are all a part of the process.

In productions where I (Michael T. Eubanks) have been involved as a director, I have leaned heavily on my team, especially the music director. In this essential role, he helps to direct, adjust, and conduct our productions. He can notice things within the score that I cannot, creating opportunity for deeper character development. Together, we provide a healthy environment that shows what can be accomplished when these two positions work as partners. Our collaboration provides teaching moments that encourage students to be more involved that wouldn’t be possible without the teamwork and respect we have for each other.

Conclusion

It is through creative and effective collaboration that you and your ensembles can experience profound and memorable music rehearsals and performances. We encourage you seek out ways to collaborate with others both within and outside of the music discipline. It is as John C. Maxwell (2002) wrote: “To be collaborative team members, completing one another is more important than competing with one another” (p. 14). Collaborating with others has been a great source of joy for us and has had a positive impact on our careers.

Zachary Thompson is the middle and high school choir and worship band teacher at Covenant Day School and the director of music at Dilworth United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C. He holds the MM in choral conducting and the BME.

Michael T. Eubanks is the middle and high school theatre director at Covenant Day School in Matthews, N.C. He holds the BFA in theatre arts from East Carolina University. He is the director for the middle and high school musicals and high school plays at Covenant Day School.

References

Hansen, M. (2009) Collaboration. Harvard Business School

Publishing. Lencioni, P. (2012). The five dysfunctions of a team. Jossey-Bass. Maxwell, J. (2002) The 17 essential qualities of a team player.

Thomas Nelson Inc.