Magical Moments with Music Props in Church Choir Rehearsal Part 3
Welcome back from the sometimes lazy days of summer, to an always exciting fall, filled with opportunities to try new activities with your props from Bear Paw Creek! In this installment of “Magical Moments” we will explore the wonders that ribbon streamers and movement scarves can work in your church choir.
In this third blog on making magical moments with music props in church choir rehearsal, I will share activities using scarves and streamers that are tailor-made for your sacred choral ensembles. In addition, I will give you tips on how to acquire a set of scarves or ribbon streamers for your group, no matter your budget, including DIY ideas.
Magical moments are within reach the instant that you take out the scarves and streamers, because they are enjoyable! When the brightly-colored chiffon and satin start making their rounds through the room, the Holy Spirit starts moving singers to smile. This affords you the opportunity to “break the ice”, by having your singers get moving to their anthem, or any song that will get their hearts pumping and their energy for the rehearsal in full gear!
Scarves and Ribbon Streamers
Use scarves and ribbon rings for self-expression, easing kids and adults into dance and movement. If an anthem has a dance time signature like 3/4 or dance-like rhythm, scarves and ribbon rings can help them to internalize the dance-like feel.
- Big Budget- here at Bear Paw Creek you can purchase scarves and streamers.
- Moderate Budget- Bear Paw Creek also has Make Your Own Hoop Streamers available. These are 4” polycarbonate hoops, to which you would add your own ribbons: Make-your-own Hoop Streamers
- Small Budget- go to the thrift store for scarves or buy plastic bracelets and loop ribbons onto them
- No Budget- have members and families donate their unused scarves or lengths of ribbon (which can be used successfully on their own without rings)
STEPS-
- Cut plastic tape or ribbon to double desired length
- Fold ribbon in half
- Place ring a couple of inches below the top of the loop you have made. Take the loop in your hand and tails in the other and reach through the loop to grasp the tails and pull them through. Pull the knot firmly to make it tight.
- Repeat on the same ring until you have your preferred number of ribbons/streamers
TIPS:
– For a good deal, look at the craft store for ribbon remnants, I find grosgrain ribbon to be tougher than satin.
-For ribbons the float in the air well use strips of flagging (not sticky) tape from the hardware store. It can be found next to the caution tape
-You can also use rigid bangle bracelets or I have even used my daughters’ cast-off baby stacking rings. If you use shower curtain rings be sure that they are in an O-ring closed circle so the ribbons can’t slide off
– For increased durability use glue at the ends of ribbons that may unravel
– You can even just loop the ribbon halfway over the bangle and sew into position.
Magical moments are within reach the instant that you take out the scarves and streamers, because they... afford you the opportunity to “break the ice”, by having your singers get moving, their hearts pumping and their energy for the… Share on X
Scarf and Streamer Music Props Activities
Activities
Difficult Section or Pitch - Use the streamers to follow the melodic contour of the difficult section in order to give singers a visual and kinesthetic learning opportunity and minimize the time spent in rehearsal fixing the section.
Kids
Move Expressively - to a recorded Praise and Worship song like:
Jesus is My Superhero – by Hillsong Kids, Gagnam Style - Christian Remix, or God Made Me by Casey Darnell and John Delich
Holy Spirit - Have the children show how they think Holy Spirit moves: up and down, through, side to side, or any way at all.
Pitch Exploration - Have one student stand before the group and however they move the scarf up and down the choristers reflect that in singing
Pitch Matching Hello - Sing hello followed by a chorister’s name on Sol Mi, then roll up and toss the scarf to that chorister and repeat.
Turn, Turn, Turn - Use scarves to create motions to match the text of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, or to the Byrds rendition of that same biblical text altered and set to music in “Turn! Turn! Turn!”.
12 Apostles - Sing “The Twelve Apostles” song to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me”. Have 12 children stand before the rest of the group represent each apostle. Each child representing an apostle creates a motion to go with their apostle’s name. As the whole group sings along they can do the motion for each apostle.
TIPS: Scarves and streamers can create a bonding and team building experience for adults in choir because they may be doing something new and unusual for them.
- Keep an eye on the edges of handmade ribbons and scarves because with boisterous use they will need some minor maintenance to prevent fraying.
I hope these ideas of how to get your choir moving with scarves and ribbon streamers have gotten you in the mood to try some new things with your church choir this season. When you give these props a try with your choir members of any age, you will find your singers energized, and able to pick up tough passages even faster when the element of movement is added to the rehearsal mix. Happy rehearsing!
