“Well, duh,” you think.

But there are music directors who actually don’t give their choirs, instrumentalists, accompanists or cantors much advance notice about what’s going on—thereby crippling their best efforts. Communications isn’t just about telling people what has to be done; it’s more about facilitating their ministry and making it easier for them to do what needs doing.

I do know people who are so organized they have the music picked out for the next six months or so—not every single piece of music, but a solid overall concept. I’m not that organized, and I know that things outside one’s control (natural disasters, new parish leadership, funerals) can impact the music ministry in unforeseen ways. But planning at least a couple of months in advance allows flexibility while providing time to schedule everyone affected—choir singers, instrumentalists, accompanists, cantors—and email them the details. Obviously, funerals just happen when they happen—but you can help parishioners plan for funerals. (Some will think that’s creepy and won’t do it, but others will find it a blessing to choose their own readings and music.)

One thing few music directors take sufficient advantage of is the weekly bulletin. In addition to the schedules of rehearsals, cantor assignments and so forth, it would be good to always include something brief about the music ministry: “Mary S_______, who cantors at 9am, just had an 8-lb. baby girl!” “An anonymous donor has given the choir a nice donation for the purchase of new music!” “It’s the week after Christmas, so there’s no choir rehearsal. Thanks to all the music ministry for their dedication!” The music ministry page on the parish website can provide another means of outreach. If that’s beyond your skill level, find someone who can do it, or teach you how.

Effective communication helps music ministers do their best work, and helps parishioners relate to the music ministry more personally as an essential part of the community.