There is no I in TEAM..? But....

I'll start off each post with an A Capella video for your enjoyment :)
Featured this week is a friend of RoF's.... Boston University's Mustard Seed! Whether you're a Christian or not, I think you'll find this video pretty amazing. The passion, both musical and Christ-driven, is intense. I hear Mustard Seed is almost celebrity status at BU...
This video is from Jam More in Baltimore that was held at Johns Hopkins University last semester. RoF had the opportunity to meet other awesome A Capella groups.
Note: Take precaution regulating your breathing. The soloist at 0:51 may just take your breath away.  You may also want to watch out for the female beatboxer... too awesome for words. I wish I was that awesome.

In my last post I complained about potential danger of a lack of unity in our group. I think in any group it's very easy for the status-quo to be shaken or perhaps even turned upside down due to the dynamics of the individuals. Especially in a group of performers, our "center-stage" personalities can get the better of us. However, today, interestingly enough, I'd like to make a note on the complete opposite end of the spectrum.
In RoF, we all participate together, and each is expected to pull his/her own weight in order for the group to move forward as a whole. Sure it can be unhealthy for the group when one tries to stick out a little too much; but what is the group to do when a member tries to stick out a little too little?
One of RoF's warm-up exercises is the Folger's coffee jingle: "Oh the best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup!" The exercise begins with one of the basses, and each individual sings the line a half-step higher than the one before him. It's a fun exercise where no matter what type of voice you have, you get the chance to see a little bit of lighthearted spotlight. It's also a hilarious opportunity to hear the basses sing at a not-so-comfortable range after we go full circle around the group.
However, we have one member that refuses to sing it. Every single time we ever sing this exercise, she will never sing it. Ever. We tried all sorts of encouragement, but nothing ever went through. Now if this attitude was only applicable to the warm-up exercise, it wouldn't be much of a problem. But when the soprano section is rather lacking in the quantity department and every voice counts, it can be demoralizing for the group if not everyone participates with their 110%.
This person also happens to be a rather close friend of mine. I've tried to encourage her and talk to her about it, but to avail. Does anyone have any suggestions? What to do when a member of a team is intensely shy, or seems to have no enthusiasm for the group effort? Advice please. :]

Currently on RoF's practice playlist:
Seasons of Love from the Broadway musical RENT
True Colors (w/ revised lyrics) by Cyndi Lauper [also seen on GLEE! :D]

And so begins my second semester as a "Roffer"...

This Wednesday was just like the others that had come and gone before it. I looked over at my clock, and watched as the minutes went by, counting down the precious moments I had before I would have to venture out onto the icy tundra to my A Capella group's practice. Don't get me wrong, I love to sing, and I love being a "Roffer". But every Wednesday at 6:45 pm, when I'm all warm and cozy in my room after a long day, it takes every fiber in my body to get my butt out of my chair and into the biting cold.
So this Wednesday, I sped-walked my usual route to the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center and stepped into Room 212 to greet my Rhythm of Faith (RoF) family. I was met with old faces, smiling at me in welcome. In the midst of the familiar faces, I spotted our newest members, smiling at me in the curiosity and uncertainty that had failed to fade since our first meeting last week.
I can already sense that with the loss of our old members and the addition of our new ones, Rhythm of Faith will experience a change in the overall atmosphere of the group. Our new members seem feisty, and I'm hoping that this new mood won't upset the balance of the group. As a Christian A Capella group, RoF strives to embody the heart of a true worshipper, emphasizing passion over skill. Last semester, our unity as a group greatly improved over the semester. Members became soloists by a process of volunteering through a conviction of the heart; soloists became musicians and beautiful instruments of praise through a dedication of time and effort. However, with the entrance of the new members, I pray for the group's ability to stay unified. I assume the transition period for any musical group, or any team oriented organization for that matter, is just as awkward and uneasy. I hope that Rhythm of Faith will emerge from this awkward transitioning phase with our passion, musicality, and unity intact!

Currently on RoF's practice playlist:
True Colors (w/ revised lyrics) by Cyndi Lauper [also seen on GLEE! :D]
Siyahamba (South African Hymn)
Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle

Stay tuned for more updates on Rhythm of Faith's practices, whether they be days of perfect harmony or days of slightly off-beats.