A few years ago, Ali Burns had the idea to lay Mazlow’s Hierarchy of Needs over planning for a singing workshop or choir development. Each layer must be securely executed in order for the next level to be actualised. See the triangle diagram below for a visual interpretation, with the text only version underneath it.
Layer 1 The fundamental needs
- Excellent Communication – so people know what to expect before they arrive
- A welcome email the week before – with details of time and venue, especially outlining access details
- Publicity that reflects the choir’s / workshop ideals
- A booking procedure that includes a receipt or ticket with all the details
- Getting the venue right – accessible, on transport links, etc
Layer 2 Security & safety
- Singers are welcomed at the door as they arrive
- Registration as people arrive
- Housekeeping information given to participants
- Overview of how the day / session will run / when the breaks will be.
- All Policies in place – generally demonstrating that everything has been thought through and that everyone’s needs will be taken care of
- Taking the singing at a pace that suits building on it in incremental steps so that nobody is left behind
Layer 3 Belonging
- Singers are welcomed as they arrive
- Fostering a sense of connection by making opportunities for singers to get to know each other a little: learning names – doing introductions – playing warm up games
- Teaching songs that unite the group
- Being positive and praising singers for small achievements
- Celebrate birthdays or achievements of individuals in the group – Who’s had a birthday this week?
- Shared lunches; singers take turns to bring cake for tea-breaks; group goes to the pub after rehearsal
Layer 4 Confidence, status, achievement
- The group welcome each other as they arrive
- The group forms and has a sense of achievement as they learn repertoire
- There’s a growing respect for each other and what they bring to the group
- Confidence is growing
- Singers take part in a concert or showcase what they’ve been doing
- Recordings are made and shared with the group
- Perhaps they join with another choir or group for a concert or workshop to build on the sense of ‘this is who we are and this is what we sing’
Layer 5 Realising full potential – pursuing personal growth
- Singers’ voices are stronger through regular singing
- Singers have learnt about singing and building a community and can acknowledge their own progress
- Perhaps there are opportunities for solos or improvisation