Inviting the Ward to Sing in the Choir | A How I Lead Interview with ToriAnn Perkey

ToriAnn Perkey has served as ward or stake choir director, as well as ward or stake music coordinator for most of her adult life in the Church. She has also served as a Primary counselor and a Young Women secretary. ToriAnn earned a bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies with History and Editing minors from Brigham Young University. In addition to raising four kids and homeschooling them for their entire education, she has also owned an online recruiting company and worked as an online business manager. She is now the executive director and English program director for a private educational company that provides a la carte classes for secondary homeschool students. ToriAnn has been happily married to her husband for 27 years and lives in Orem, Utah. Links SacredSheetMusic.org (not sacredsheetmusic.com) Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights ToriAnn shares her insights and experiences in leading ward and stake choirs and emphasizes the need for effective leadership in choir settings, particularly in revitalizing choirs that may have dwindled in participation. Throughout the episode, she outlines several key principles for successfully leading a choir. She stresses the importance of asking questions and gathering feedback from potential participants to understand their hesitations and preferences. This approach not only helps in addressing concerns but also fosters a sense of community and involvement. She advocates for proactive marketing strategies to ensure that choir activities are well-publicized and that members feel invited and excited to participate. ToriAnn also emphasizes the necessity of making participation easy and straightforward, ensuring that logistical details are well-organized to minimize barriers to attendance. Moreover, she discusses the significance of making choir practices spiritually enriching, suggesting that each session should include moments of reflection and testimony sharing to enhance the overall experience. ToriAnn shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the profound impact choir participation can have on individuals, including fostering connections and providing a sense of belonging. The episode concludes with ToriAnn encouraging choir directors to seek inspiration and guidance from their leadership, ensuring that the choir aligns with the broader goals of the ward or stake. Overall, this episode serves as a valuable resource for choir directors and leaders, offering practical advice and heartfelt insights into the transformative power of music and community within the church. 05:37 – Tori Ann’s Background in Choir Directing 06:55 – Demographics and Dynamics of Choir in Different Areas 09:02 – Initial Challenges and Leadership Expectations 11:34 – Principle 1: Ask Questions and Get Feedback 14:10 – Importance of Feedback in Leadership 15:37 – Principle 2: Market Like Crazy 18:32 – Engaging New Members and Building Interest 20:03 – Principle 3: Make It Easy and Simple to Participate 23:14 – Reducing Barriers to Participation 23:45 – Principle 4: Make It Worth Their Time 28:15 – Creating a Spiritual Experience in Choir 30:11 – Building Relationships Through Choir 30:29 – Working with the Bishopric and Stake Presidency 35:42 – Practical Tools and Resources for Choir Directors 39:11 – The Impact of Choir Leadership 41:04 – Reflection on Leadership and Following Christ The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.