APRIL 2022


“Ever since I can remember, I have had stage fright when performing. I am a pianist, and my hands would get cold, sweaty, and shaky. I would feel my heart racing out of my chest. When I would try to sing, my voice would be shaky and out of tune.” ~ Krista S.


“I felt hot surges throughout my body, with my heart pounding so fast. I was hot yet felt frozen; my hands and feet pulsed like living popsicles.” ~ Lucien S.


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ound familiar? All musicians feel nervous, adrenaline-charged, anxious, or downright scared at times. Our ministry puts us in the


position of possibly being evaluated by others every time we sound a note or lift a baton. Fortunate is the singer who has never experienced the terror of trembling limbs and voice, tone cracking, or lyrics forgotten. What pianist in their years of lessons, recitals, and juries, has not forgotten some of the music or been so nervous that her hands become stiff claws, unable to play smoothly?


Disappointment cascades after practicing diligently, then becoming so nervous that embarrassing gaffes ensue. We want to minister as the best we can be, yet too often we seem to have to accept something less than the heavenly beauty for which we strive. Fulfilling a ministerial task should bring peace and joy, not regret. Ministering should bring those “unique, suspended moment[s] when you actually become the emotional (spiritual) or sensory quality of the music”. 1


Peak performance in music, sports, and business has been a popular topic since the 1970s. Tim Gallwey’s book Te Inner Game of Tennis sold well and spurred the writing of other books, as well as college courses and seminars on the subject. Barry Green, who wrote Te Inner Game of Music along with Gallwey, applies Gallwey’s theories to music performance. Te “inner game” consists of the internal obstacles of self-doubt and fear. Music instruction most commonly focuses on the external “game” of learning to play the instrument or sing with excellent technique. Te "inner game" ends up affecting performance greatly but is less often addressed by teachers and can even be exacerbated by non-constructive or cutting comments.


Dr. Don Greene, a sports psychologist and specialist in peak performance, has written several books and developed training plans to address the issue


of performance anxiety. If such anxiety significantly harms the quality of your music ministry efforts, then reading and assiduously following the sequential training plans available in these books, or even working with a therapist, might be necessary. If you would like to reduce your overall anxiety and play, sing, or conduct more effectively, the following summary and tips may help.


Spirituality


Pastoral musicians have ready access to the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit and a centuries-long tradition of believers engaging in meditative or contemplative prayer. One hopes that we minister in an atmosphere centered on prayer. Each author in the bibliography at the end of this article has their own particular method and language to discuss improving performance in a variety of endeavors. One thing that all the references lack is a sense of spirituality—developing faith and a deep prayer life. Using a psychologically-based program can be very helpful, but the potential for even greater success in leading musical prayer lies in basing one’s ministry on faith in the Lord.


As pastoral musicians, we should be clear in the overarching goal of music ministry: to support the prayer of the gathered assembled Church while praising God with all that we are. We are not there to impress, dazzle, cause envy in others, win a prize, or indulge in the deadly sin of pride, but rather to love God and His people with everything we’ve got. Praying musically at that moment’s best is a goal that a music minister can achieve. While we hope to stimulate intense prayer and deeper faith in the assembly, the behavior of others is ultimately beyond our control. Fully embracing this mission lessens fear and allows us to let go of the drive for perfection and accept completely that God loves our sincere, well-prepared efforts, no matter the exact result. Michael Carney, the founder of the educational resource Music Ministry 101, tells his students, “Remember that you are blessed to deliver God’s message, but don’t judge yourself as if you have to be perfect to deliver the message.” Krista Schupbach, the Director of Music at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Dayton, Ohio, brings her focus “back to the One who gave the gifts in the first place” to remind herself that the ministry is not about her, but the Lord.


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