Ch. 4: Supporting Services
When it comes to variables, it is not a matter of eliminating them, but managing them. Whether they are positive or more challenging, a strong VD will be ready and willing to think on their feet to find solutions.
In any variable situation, we are working to maximize excellence within the boundaries of our resources in a service. We know our God can do anything in the spiritual realm, and we depend on this supplication- but this does not mean we ignore what exists in the natural. Some examples of variables are as follows:
A vocalist calling out sick without time to find a replacement
A vocalist is significantly late to soundcheck
A vocalist is unprepared with their parts
Technical difficulties
Challenging in-ear mixes
A new song
A new song lead, WL, MD, or VD
A vocalists’ first time on the platform
Training a VD while also running a soundcheck
Multiple orientees onstage shadowing
We never want to shrink the limit of our situation, but rise to the level of our potential. That said, managing variables means assessing what they are, and how we accommodate them. This could mean proactive planning, such as assigning complicated harmonies to a seasoned vocalist rather than a first-timer, making the call during soundcheck to go over a chorus or bridge together in the back room, or even taking over a vocal part yourself another vocalist didn’t prepare for.
In the event you find yourself navigating unforeseen variables:
Remain calm: Stress begets stress- the more you peace you bring to a challenging moment, the more your team will reflect the same attitude.
Get informed: If someone is late, is it an emergency? If production hasn’t started soundcheck, are they fixing technical issues? We always want to ask questions to seek clarity rather than operate out of assumption.
Collaborate: We have an entire team ready to bear the weight of whatever these variables may be. Always collaborate with your MD, WL and production if unforeseen complications present themselves
Find solutions: It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by some variables, but there are always solutions. Stay positive, and don’t allow a variable to become a setback.
Debrief later: If someone came unprepared, talk to them about it. If a pack has issues every week, ask production if there's a potential workaround. Being solution orientated is not only for the moment, but for the future as well.
As a VD, our best offense is a great defense- the more we can prepare our vocalists for anything throughout the week and during soundcheck, the more flexible we will be during a service. Then, if unexpected variables hit, we will have a much easier time rolling with those changes.