5 Keys for a Successful Music Group Retreat

MCO and Conductor, Dr. Dan Mattix

Nothing launches a music group or ministry team into a new school year or ministry season quite like a retreat!

Last month several Moody music ensembles spent a focused weekend together—playing, practicing, and praying. The Moody Campus Orchestra (MCO) and the Worship Collectives (WC) stayed on campus this year—and made the most of what Chicago has to offer. A meaningful “retreat” doesn’t always require a lot of money—or even a change of location.

The Moody Chorale held its retreat at a Korean church in a northern suburb of Chicago. At the end of their retreat, the Chorale was invited to sing at the church’s 51st anniversary celebration—a joy-filled end to their day.

Our ensemble conductors and their student exec teams have learned—through some trial and error—what makes for a successful retreat. Here are a few of their tips and tricks.

If you’re a part of a worship group, a music ensemble, or any sort of ministry team, we hope you’ll find these points helpful. If you’ve led or attended a similar retreat, we’d love to hear what made it great!

1.      Begin with goofy games and good food.

Sharing a delicious meal can set the tone for your time together. It can put group members at ease and communicate your appreciation. And a silly game can provide a relaxed opportunity for attendees to laugh together.

The Moody Chorale

Moody Chorale members unanimously agreed that the Korean food provided by the Korean church was one of the highlights of their retreat. Both lunch and dinner were lovingly prepared by the leadership and congregation of the church, and the evening Korean BBQ feast was abundant beyond measure. (Is your mouth watering?)

The Worship Collectives started their retreat with a brief photo shoot. Then they ate a catered dinner from Raising Cane’s and played a long game of Mafia. The game was a highlight of their evening. Those who were “angels” were selfishly saving themselves over and over again, allowing the “mafia” to continue round after round—causing lots of laughter among the group and creating shared memories.

The MCO exec team made sure that their weekend felt more like a family gathering than a class. They organized a picnic lunch with games, group photos, and a chance to casually connect. (Check out their MCO Instagram for lots of photos, videos and good times!)

They ended at the beach with team games and a spirited sandcastle-building competition. (Their members are creative even with buckets and shovels!) Finishing on this note meant that the MCO left energized, not exhausted, and ready to step into the semester with confidence.

2.      Build their bond.

One of the biggest benefits of a retreat is that you can provide extended time for group members to get to know each other on a deeper level.

Bonding is especially important when the group is adding new members. This year, over half of the musicians in the Worship Collectives are incoming freshmen, so it was particularly important for them to focus their Fall Social on getting to know one another, having fun, and laughing together.

MCO members expressed that the best part of their retreat was the way the whole weekend knit them together as a community. By the end of their retreat, new members and returning students felt like teammates.

One MCO member said, “The secret to a great retreat isn’t just what you do...it’s who you do it with. A weekend of rehearsals is valuable, but when you add prayer, laughter, worship, and community-building, it becomes something much more.”

MCO can already see how their connection shows up in their sound. The more they trust each other, the more beautifully they can play together.

3.      Give members ownership.

Each ensemble member—especially new members—should come away with a sense of ownership in the group. Give group members responsibilities. Hear their voices. And receive their influence.

MCO credits its student exec team for the success of their retreat. Their servant leadership shaped the entire experience—from leading games, to sharing Dr. Mattix’s theme for this year of being “Rooted” (Colossians 2).

They also made sure every orchestra member felt included. Dr. Mattix said, “When group members take ownership, the retreat doesn’t just set the tone for one weekend, it sets the foundation for an entire year of ministry and music-making.”

Chorale conductor, Dr. Yongmin Kim, also praised his student leadership exec team for their devoted service during the retreat. “[Their commitment] was the most essential factor,” he said. “Their investment of time, clear communication, and servant-hearted example ensured that nothing was wasted and everything was effective. Planning for the retreat began in July, and their two months of continual preparation and communication produced excellent results. Thanks to the faithful service of our Chorale student exec team, the retreat began and ended with joy and energy.”

4.      Practice with purpose.

Of course, another main benefit of a retreat is the extended and focused time to rehearse. That rehearsal will be most effective if you establish concrete and measurable goals for your group—goals that are both challenging and attainable. Working hard together and reaching those goals will provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that will fuel future rehearsals.

From the first moment of their retreat, MCO members were preparing music for Candlelight Carols (December 5 & 6) and their 55th MCO Reunion during Founder’s Week (October 23). 

The Moody Chorale had the immediate goal of performing that evening at the church’s 51st anniversary celebration. This event served as the final chapter of the Chorale’s ministry from their Korea Tour in June. It marked both the conclusion of that journey and the beginning of a new season of unity with new incoming members.

On retreat day, they focused on sound development as the ensemble found a new and beautiful cohesion.

Dr. Kim said, “Creating music together and sharing an inspiring concert was a vital element in making the retreat both meaningful and memorable. The evening concert was a time filled with grace, leaving a deep impression not only on the church congregation but also on many guests from the community.”

5.      Create culture.

Lastly, a retreat is a wonderful opportunity to establish and deepen the values and norms that shape the group’s identity.

The new members of the Moody Chorale expressed how the retreat and the concert allowed them to experience firsthand how the Chorale carries out its ministry. They were both inspired and energized. Having this retreat during the very first week of the semester fostered a culture of mutual encouragement and support which can grow throughout the year.

MCO spent time in prayer, including a time of prayer over Dr. Mattix and their student leaders.

Professor Aaron Wong, advisor of the Worship Collectives, said, “[Ecclesia and EverPraise] are more than just musicians and singers who lead worship. They are also a group of tightly-connected students who love and care for one another. They pray as a group on a weekly basis in their rehearsals. And they are excited to see how God will be using them in this academic year!”

Have you planned or participated in a music group or ministry team retreat? Let us know what worked well!