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I've heard some say that being the primary pianist or music leader was a terrible experience, while others love, love, loved it. What makes the difference? Hear from some primary pianists and music leaders about their experiences and thoughts... as well as what pianists, music leaders, and primary presidency members can do to support each other and make things better all-round!

Sophie, in her post on primary pianists shared: 

Recently a good friend of mine told me that being a primary pianist was her least favorite calling ever. I was flabbergasted. Stunned!

Because I loved, loved, loved being a primary pianist.

I enjoyed watching and learning. Seeing what worked. What didn't.

I loved the children and when I wasn't playing the piano, I was sitting with them.

In fact, there was one rowdy lil' guy that I took under my wing and we were buddies.

I asked my friend why she didn't enjoy it and she said quote,

"It's a lonely calling. You're in the corner all by yourself."

Well friends. This is not a Three Dog Night music video.

This is real. And this needs to be fixed.

MANY PRIMARY MUSIC LEADERS ALSO FEEL VERY UNDERAPPRECIATED. 

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO SUPORT EACH OTHER?

I've heard some say that being the primary pianist or music leader was a terrible experience, while others love, love, loved it. What makes the difference? Hear from some primary pianists and music leaders about their experiences and thoughts... as well as what pianists, music leaders, and primary presidency members can do to support each other and make things better all-round!

Sophie, in her post on primary pianists shared: 

Recently a good friend of mine told me that being a primary pianist was her least favorite calling ever. I was flabbergasted. Stunned!

Because I loved, loved, loved being a primary pianist.

I enjoyed watching and learning. Seeing what worked. What didn't.

I loved the children and when I wasn't playing the piano, I was sitting with them.

In fact, there was one rowdy lil' guy that I took under my wing and we were buddies.

I asked my friend why she didn't enjoy it and she said quote,

"It's a lonely calling. You're in the corner all by yourself."

Well friends. This is not a Three Dog Night music video.

This is real. And this needs to be fixed.

MANY PRIMARY MUSIC LEADERS ALSO FEEL VERY UNDERAPPRECIATED. 

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO SUPORT EACH OTHER?

SHOW APPRECIATION

Express appreciation for each other in front of the kids and privately.

HAVE OPEN COMMUNICATION

One music leader share: It is helpful when I can bounce ideas off of my pianist and presidency and we can make decisions together. My pianist helped me know which songs for the program needed more reviewing time.

CONNECT/BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER

One music leader shared: Our pianist switch weekly between two and both hold multiple other callings. I don’t feel very connected to them. But I think I would love to have a leader pianist relationship.

PRIMARY MUSIC LEADERS: 

• Find out how far in advance your pianist wants the songs and give them the schedule ahead of time - I try to give my pianist all the songs for a month at once so she had plenty of time to practice, and I love when she shares suggestions to improve songs! / My current pianist likes to know the songs for the month and then the order for the week as well as any specific things like play only the melody this week, or I’m going to do a story song so you won’t need to play that one."
• Ask the pianist if they are ready before just jumping in to a song so they don’t feel alone.
• Make sure they know it's ok to just play the melody lines and not play for acapella singing.
• Have realistic goals and expectations for the pianist based on their ability levels. 
• Keep the pianist informed on what songs you are doing, what order songs will go in, etc.
• Include your pianists in primary singing time in ways other than just playing. One primary pianist

shared:  When I was a pianist, I ALWAYS appreciated when my chorister included me during singing time by asking me to share my testimony, play the song in funny ways, and loved when they thanked me for being there. Appreciation goes a long way!

• GIVE PIANIST THE PAGE NUMBERS - One pianist shared: Pianists want page numbers, not titles. I also want to be told if I’m playing too loud or soft.
• GIVE SPECIFIC THANKS - Thank you Sister D for that beautiful prelude music. You help invite the spirit every week and we are so grateful for your service. Thank you Sister D for always playing so peppy. If the songs were too slow we'd fall asleep, but your lovely playing makes us want to sing even more!! Thank you Sister D for that beautiful prelude music. You help invite the spirit every week and we are so grateful for your service!  Thank you Sister D for always playing so peppy. If the songs were too slow we'd fall asleep, but your lovely playing makes us want to sing even more!! (Credit: Sofia's Primary Ideas)

• Have a good attitude - Whether you get gratitude and more involvement or not, one day before the throngs of eternity you will be praised for your smiling face and voice that helped his little ones grow and prosper.

PIANISTS: 

• Let the music leaders know what you can play in which pieces and what you are and aren't comfortable with (i.e. only melody on this, both hands, etc.).
• Don't be afraid to give opinions of what did or didn’t work - throw in your two cents: Wow! I just had to say, when you sweet primary children sang I got the chills!! That was so neat to feel the spirit that strongly! Thank you!! (Credit: Sofia's Primary Ideas)

• Practice if you need, so you are prepared.
• Stay involved with planning with the music leader(s). 
• Be willing to do other things: One music leader shared that pianists can support the music leaders by being willing to jump up from the piano to help pass out music tools or collect them and do other various things other than just playing.
• Have a good attitude:  Whether you get gratitude and more involvement or not, one day before the throngs of eternity you will be praised for your smiling face and fingers that helped his little ones grow and prosper.
• Get involved and don't wait to be invited: Aren't needed at the piano, see what else you can do. Are some kids chit chatty? Go sit by them and smile. How is their week going? Great! Let's listen to the lesson and after you can tell me all about it!
• Talk to the Kids: If the kids come visit you at the piano (before/after singing time), talk to them!

Show them things. Teach them things. Have they ever heard of a treble clef? Want to learn chopsticks on the piano?

• Be there for those children with special needs: Sometimes music can be soothing to children with special needs. Let them sit by you and watch your fingers move. Let them turn pages for you. Let them double check that you're on the right page. Pray and talk with the primary presidency and parents to see if this would be a good option. I remember one ward with a little girl in a wheelchair... she loved the pianist because she could see the wonderful possibilities one can do with their hands! (Credit: Sofia's Primary Ideas)

PRIMARY PRESIDENCY 

• Open Communication: 

            *BE OPEN - Don't immediately shut down your primary music leader ideas. Listen and be open and willing to give things a try. 

             *COMMUNICATE CHANGES AHEAD OF TIME - One music leader shared: I don't like finding out the day of that there won't be singing time, or that Jr and Sr primary will be combined for singing time, or that singing time will last the whole hour. If someone has asked us to sing for an event, I need plenty of notice - probably three to four weeks to make it happen.

              * CLEAR UP RESPONSIBILITIES: One music leader shared - In my primary, the presidency sometimes acts like I'm in charge. Some choristers may like that, but I don't want to be given responsibilities that aren't mine. I enjoy it when a presidency member is there to prepare the children for singing time, leads opening exercises, and is there to close the meeting. 

• COLLABORATE - Collaborate on songs, don't just tell your music leader what songs. Come up with shared goals, programs, etc. Ask your music leaders BEFORE volunteering the kids to sing for events. Don't micromanage. Coordinate and plan together. Communicate often.
• Be willing to help with difficult children or parents.
• ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in each singing time. DONT use singing time as an opportunity to hold meetings/have conversations. Show the kids music is important by participating yourself.
• Don't EVER say negative things in front of the kids to or about the music leader. Let your music leader(s) know you support them. Give suggestions kindly, positive feedback and show appreciation.
• GIVE MUSIC THE FULL ALLOTED TIME ACCORDING TO THE HANDBOOK - Opening and closing get 5 minutes each, not more. Advocate for music by instructing teachers to have their class to singing time ON TIME, and speak up in Ward Council if Sacrament meeting is going long and cutting into music or class time.
• HELP WITH THE KIDS - Help focus on the needs of those kids who need it (behavior, etc.).  Make sure primary is fully staffed so that teachers are consistently there and ready to participate. Make sure all kids who need one on one helpers have them. Know the ward disability specialist.
• BE A WILLING SUB - be willing to be a sub on a day that the music leader cannot be there or find a sub, or just need a break.
• GIVE THE MUSIC LEADER A BUDGET & TRAINING ON HOW TO TEACH EFFECTIVELY.

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