June 30, 2008  

Practical Tools
Vern Sanders

The Singer Link

This month we asked two of our fellow MME writers, Doug Lawrence and Hugh Ballou, a few questions about the new online community for singers: The Singer Link. We've been involved as an "advice giver" in the start up process for TSL, because of the MME connection, although Creator has no financial or other relationship to it. I know that many of you who are reading this may not consider your primary vocation or avocation to be that of a singer, but singing is universal to humans, and you may have some relationship to a singer or singers, either in your family or in your choir <smile>. TSL is brand new (in fact, when I joined just before writing this week's MME, there were only 9 members--now, as I write this paragraph, there are at least 20), but it has the potential to serve you and your singers well, and Creator is exploring ways (perhaps by offering Master Classes for singers and conductors) that we can work together with TSL to serve the church music and worship community even better. In any event, here is more about TSL.

• What led you to create The Singer Link? 

  Doug: We believe that singers are among the most social people on the face of the earth. They love to laugh, eat, cry, and generally hug a lot! That's why we want to find new ways to bring them together and provide a forum for exchange of experiences, history, and talk of what's new in their singing world. The new Web 2.0 communities are making that possible in a way that has never been available before. We're excited!

  Hugh: Every person has a voice and can sing. Many have participated in a great choral experience, but some no longer have an opportunity to sing with a choir of their choice. This virtual community allows people anywhere to share stories and resources about singing from the comfort of home. We hope that TSL will bring people of different cultures, beliefs, and political viewpoints together around the joy and spirit filled nature of singing.
  

• Who are you trying to serve, and why? 

  Doug: Our target audience is everyone who has ever had the thrill of making music with the original musical instrument—the human voice. Whether that was in a choir, a barbershop quartet, a bunch of street singers, band singers, or, maybe, just even in the bathroom when you think nobody is listening! We believe that the lump in the throat experience of singing belongs to everyone and we want to share this common bond through internet technology. 

• When someone joins TSL what do they get out of it? 

  Doug: We are just beginning to realize the full benefits of this community-based, shared-experience enterprise. The very people who join will help us shape the content, benefits, and value-add materials we make available. This is a live, organic phenomenon that we will all build together. Initially, however, there will be news of events, gatherings, and things of interest to singers of all kinds. We will make available new recordings, tickets, and other perks at discount prices. Some of that good stuff you're for sure going to want to take advantage of as soon as it becomes available!

  Hugh: Many people are living where they don't have access to a singing experience that they want. This is a way to find about workshops, festivals and other short-term singing opportunities to attend or observe. Often we all miss out on great concerts because we just don’t know about the opportunity to attend. Once The Singer Link members establish interest groups and ask for relevant activities and content related to that group, then there will be announcements on calendars and CDs available for purchase. There are also opportunities to share concert recordings and videos with the world. We want choirs and other singing groups to join the community and share their schedules, recordings and invite singers to join. Basically this resource helps choral groups recruit, maintain and promote their organizations and helps singers find ways to connect with great choral music making opportunities in their neighborhood or around the world. We will also be offering online educational opportunities and live interviews with nationally renowned composers, conductors, and clinicians. Learn from the best while staying at home. There will also be a resource library for learning as well as a strategy for posting questions and getting feedback from the singing community. We will also establish a group for soloists and offer resources for those singers as well.

• What would you tell people who will say "This sounds kind of like Facebook or MySpace, but I have never tried those because I don't understand why anyone would want to have their personal information available to anyone with a computer. I know the kids "get it" on this, but help me understand how it works?" 

  Doug: There is not a person on earth that can't "get into" the world of computer connection. It's easy, it's fun, and it gets you "hooked" pretty fast. I know people in assisted living facilities who interact on the internet more often than they play bridge or even eat. This kind of community is not the exclusive playpen of the young—it's for everyone. Once you log into your computer and go to the webpage you will be held by the hand if you need it, and left to roam free if you don't.

  Hugh: The way it works is that everyone is free to share as little or as much information as they choose. You can also post a picture of yourself, and you will see others' pictures so you can have a sense of who you are talking to if you'd like. It is amazing how these connections can multiply as we connect with people that enhance our lives in ways we least expected. The other thing is that personal profile information can be changed at any time if you'd like to share more information after trying it for a while. It's all easy to do.
  

• How do you protect people's privacy? 

  Doug: Each person only shares information they want to share--the degree of security is absolutely up to them. Even if they have put information in their profile that they were requested to provide, only that which they have expressly said they want to share with others will be available to those others. Privacy is a big deal to us.
  

• You hear about predators taking advantage of people in these communities...will it be safe for children? 

  Doug: Again, safety first. We will take every precaution necessary to make this a safe experience. Also if you you're under 18, you're going to have to wait to join the fun.

  Hugh: Administrators for TSL will be watching for inappropriate content and will delete any such material as soon as it is added. We  will maintain standards acceptable to all users at all times. Anyone who finds inappropriate postings is encouraged to report the offensive content to the administrator who will take immediate action. 

• Is this site mainly for professional singers? I sing in a very amateur choir. 

  Hugh: We have interest from people of all abilities – those with a higher level of gifts are encouraged to share with those wanting to learn. It is also a place to find others that share your level of interest or skill. Professionals want to find other professional singers and opportunities to find concert opportunities – this is the same for amateur singers. Find your interest area or establish one. Connect with people who you like and will help you find ways to meet your singing goals. Some professional singers are also conductors. Conductors need amateurs and professionals to sing in choirs they conduct. The Singer Link is also a recruiting tool for conductors. It is also a training resource for conductors to help their singers continue to grow in skill and interest. 

  Doug: And best of all - it is free! That doesn't mean you won't have things made available that you can buy or subscribe to or join in on—it does mean that the service and community are for your benefit without fees. And choir directors will want to know that we're working on some exciting things to help your choir members get better as singers, so we encourage you to tell your singers about TSL.

   

Final Thoughts 

If you would like more information, or to join The Singer Link, just click here.

 Blessings.

  Vern Sanders

Vern is the publisher of Creator Magazine. He has served in some form of church music and worship leadership for 40 years in a variety of denominations both in the US and in Canada. He is currently Director of Worship at First Presbyterian Church, Grover Beach, California. Vern regularly consults with churches and church leaders. Click on his name above to email him.  

View my page on The Singer Link

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