How to foster that sense of family

So directors……does your performing group have a pre-performance ritual?  Perhaps a song sung together or a chant?  I ask this because I feel that such a thing is of the utmost importance for your group.  I have coached several groups and each has had its own ritual. 

First group stood in a circle and sung a song that was from a Broadway musical that instilled the sense of family in the whole group.  This song was even performed at our home shows when the show was over as the crowd was leaving.  Members, parents and supporters were include in the circle and this formed a bond throughout the community that is still talked about today.

The second group stood in a very close circle and repeated a chant that was begun very early in the guard's history and was carried on throughout the history of the group.  This was done through the changes in personnel and staff.

Both groups stood in circles.  This is done to make sure that every member can see each and everyone of the group.  This magnifies the sense of ONE….one family, one guard, one performance…..each depending on the other and fostering a real sense of love and understanding and dependence on each other.

The use of a common song or chant throughout the years in each group helps to foster that feeling of history….how the members before them put their time and efforts and love of the group into making the group become who it had become.

Long after the feelings for the show, the feelings of success, and the fun times have faded……….the rememberance of that preshow ritual will live on in their memories.  When they look back on their time with the group that ritual will spark memories of love, family and friendship and in the end isn't that what we want them to remember?