The longer this site is around, the more emails I’m getting from churches who want to implement a training program for their a/v teams. I always respond with links to training companies, books, and videos. However, I’m finding myself talking even more about teamwork. The more I read other church tech blogs and forums, the more I realize that teamwork isn’t something we can take for granted.
I hear from plenty of people who say the techs and the band have a great relationship…but there are significant numbers of folks who don’t have a positive relationship.
One of the best ways to build synergy and confidence with your a/v team and the worship bands is to explain to the worship bands that the sound tech is part of the team. The mixing board is a musical instrument. When the band can give the sound tech the best sound possible then the tech can produce the best sound possible to come out of the loudspeakers.
During a recent meeting between me, my pastor, and our worship coordinator, we talked about how the worship teams and sound/video teams could work better together. Right now, it’s pretty good but it could be better. Our issues surround practice times and expectations on both sides about what the other should provide – primarily around the video side. We have drafted an email template that will go out to the sound/video person who is working each upcoming Sunday. It will list the practice times, the song lists, the worship team members (they have varied a lot recently), and any special needs such as extra instruments.
It comes down to this; relationships among the teams need to be reviewed on a regular basis. "Good" is not the same as "great."
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I'm Chris Huff and I've been working behind a mixer for over twenty years. Since 2008, I've been helping other sound techs learn all about the art of church audio through behindthemixer.com.
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