These are all big concerns for college a cappella groups, but as I conduct workshops with groups around the country, the questions I get asked most often have to do with interpersonal relationships. Invariably when I finish a workshop, a few stragglers stay behind to ask how to deal with a member of the group who is difficult to handle. I follow up by asking them if the group member is replaceable, and they usually tell me the difficult person is their best singer.
So, what can be done? How do you deal with that one person who adds so much to the group musically but is unable to handle constructive criticism or support ideas from others?
First of all, understand that interpersonal problems are not limited to collegiate groups.
Performing arts groups at every level have been breaking up and reforming since before any of us were alive. Performers usually possess a hunger to succeed and have learned to overcome any obstacle placed in their path. They let nothing stand in their way including group members, the ones who are supposed to be on the same team.
The immature "me first" mentality is a group killer when it comes to the high-pressure, high-energy world of performance art. If talented artists can learn to let go of their own ambitions for the greater good of the group, they will be able to achieve their personal goals while taking others with them to acclaim and success.
So the problem is clear, but what is the solution? The key is humility. Group members must be humble in order to effectively resolve conflict without wasting time that could otherwise be spent improving the group's product: music.
When I visit college groups, I always highlight the fact that the only reason to perform is so the audience can enjoy it. The audience is the meter by which we measure our own ability to entertain and enlighten, and every decision should be derived from what it can provide to them. This is the first responsibility of any entertainer, but often the music suffers because group members are unable to deal with and respect each other.
In cases where the audience will not be affected either way, the good of the group is the question we turn to when making decisions. After the audience and the group are taken care of, only then should individual needs be considered.
Here are some ways to keep the "me first" mentality from destroying a group:
Spend time together in social settings. Set aside the stresses of the group and go
out and enjoy each other as people. A night out with the group can help
eliminate bad feelings because group members get to see the other side of
people's personalities the no-pressure side.
Choose leaders from within the group to have the last word regarding decisions
in their area of expertise or talent (i.e. a music director, an artistic director, a
finance manager, an equipment manager, etc.) This person should listen to all
sides and make the decision based on the greater good for the audience or
group. Remember, the best leader for the group is often a person who doesn't
want the job.
Concede your opinion to the person who has the final word in his/her area of
expertise. Nobody will get their own way all of the time. If you respect the role of
designated leaders, they will respect you in your area of expertise.
If group members are not carrying their part, talk to them. Get the whole group
together and reason with them. If they are unreachable or despondent, let them
know you are thinking about replacing them. Remember not to threaten this
unless you are willing to follow through.
Give 110 percent. No one wants to listen to the person who has not been trying.
Part of giving 110 percent includes showing up on time, staying in shape
musically and physically, and performing at your best.
Disagreements will always be part of the stresses performers deal with. Some disagreements cannot be resolved because different people look at problems with different background experiences and ideologies. The ones that can be resolved, though, can be a benefit to the group as group members grow and learn to work together.
The important thing is that each person in a group find a niche and act within that niche to contribute to audience enjoyment and group success. This is winner thinking, and groups with winners will be much more productive and satisfying.
Greg Baird is an ICCA certified judge, a former member of Brigham Young University's Vocal Point, and a general a cappella enthusiast. In the past six months he has held 15 workshops with collegiate a cappella groups on the east and west coasts. He enjoys when groups find new purpose in performance through a good workshop.
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