Expert advice essential for choir area

By Sondra Washington

Changing trends in music and sound are causing many Alabama Baptist churches to rethink their music programs, materials and facilities in order to reach a broader audience, experts say.

Many churches even design their choir facilities to accommodate special events such as a “living Christmas tree” or a Judgement House.

But whether you are building a small choir loft or an elaborate facility for unique presentations, church construction professionals say there are guidelines all churches must follow to be effective.

Guides for design

Get professional assistance in the early design stages.

“We recommend that churches take advantage of the free service offered by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions worship leadership and church music office,” said Tommy Haralson, church building services special worker for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM).

These free services are made possible by the Cooperative Program.

But whether it is through the SBOM or independent research, Haralson recommended that churches contact an architect who has experience in building Southern Baptist facilities.

Visit at least three other churches with a building the size you are planning to build.

“Ask them if they were to build today, what would they do differently,” Haralson said. “If they have done something wrong, most times they will tell you.”

Visiting churches is also important in helping church leaders realize the actual size of the facility they are preparing to build, he added.

“People are visual learners, and they really need to see things already built in another church.”

Build a choir rehearsal room.

Ray Burdeshaw, director of the worship leadership and church music office for the SBOM, states if a church has a choir they need a choir room.

“People gather to worship in the main center, and it is very hard to have a choir rehearsal because people are always there,” he said.

Be careful of acoustics.

“Make sure that the sound (in the sanctuary) can project to the congregation,” Burdeshaw added.

Include adequate storerooms and music libraries.

The SBOM provides the following rules of thumb for churches building choir areas:

1. Choir loft: Each riser should be at least 12 inches higher than the last. If possible, use removable or retractable seats in the first two rows.
2. Rehearsal room: 15 to 20 square feet per person. Capacity at least 10 percent more than worship center choir area, preferably 50 percent. Setup identical to worship center.
3. Music minister’s office: Locate adjacent to choir room if possible.
4. Robing rooms: four to six square feet per person.
5. Music library: one to two square feet per choir member.
6. Orchestral rehearsal room: 25 square feet per person.
7. Handbell rehearsal room: 20 feet by 30 feet desirable (allows for a five-octave set of handbells with twelve ringers, 32 feet of tables).
8. Individual practice rooms: 10 to 15 persons at 10 square feet per person.
9. Voice and piano practice rooms: eight feet by 10 feet minimum.

For more information on building choir facilities, contact Ray Burdeshaw or Keith Hibbs at 1-800-264-1225.