from  Singing In The Church Choir
 by Roger Deschner

 Seek Ensemble with All Your Heart

 "..at its best, the church choir fulfills its function in the worship and life of the church because the choir itself has become what the church should be: a community, a body, an ensemble that is mutually sensitive to each member, yet together acts in the name of Jesus Christ."
Certainly one of the most important tasks of every choir member is to listen carefully to [other members]. By so doing, we sing together as in a true body."
"That means that you will do your best to match the pitch, the variations of loudness, the tone quality, the rhythm and tempo, the pronunciation, and most important, the spirit of those around you. The [printed] music itself and the director will give indications about how these things should be done together. But you must agree to become a part of this body and to seek ensemble with every muscle of your talent and nerve of your attention."

Lou Pulis, former Director of Music