8 Ways to Grow Your Church Orchestra

by Camp Kirkland

If you live in the United States, there are a wealth of instrumental musicians who are playing or who have played due to the legacy of the music education system in this country. The church has the ability to offer the unique opportunity to rehearse and play regularly like no other institution because of weekly services.

These opportunities also include the ability to strengthen the spiritual lives of these musicians connected through the power of God’s music and fellowship with other believers. Here are some suggestions to find these musicians and encourage them to be in your ministry -

Ask the pastor to regularly mention the need for instrumental musicians either generally or with specific instrument needs. He is the leader of the church and his support is vital. This is a big deal!
Do an annual Talent Survey of all areas of ministry including instrumental music. You may find instrumentalists who are still playing or those who have not played in years. It’s like riding a bicycle - It comes back quickly!
Connect with schools in the area to let music teachers know about the instrumental music program and how it will improve their students. Offer to be available to assist them.
Reach out to music teachers for their involvement.
Reach out to professional musicians in the area for their involvement.
Word of mouth “advertisement” by your existing musicians in their daily activities can be the best kind of recruitment.
Try an “All Church Orchestra” one day event inviting all who have ever played an instrument to participate in a service with no further commitment. You will always gain players from this kind of event who will become regulars.
As with anything else, don’t be afraid to “ask.” Many times people are just waiting to be invited.