COLLABORAT

ION IN

THE

ENSEMBLE A

RTS

W O R K I N G A N D P L A Y I N G W E L L

W I T H O T H E R S

T I M S H A R P

WORDS WITH FRIENDS

Co-existence-existing peacefully together.

Mediation-negotiation to resolve differences.

Negotiation-discussion to reach agreement.

Arbitration-submitting differences to impartial judge.

Compromise-settlement of a dispute by concessions.

Collaboration-working to create something.

CHORAL CONDUCTORS

“As choral directors, we are masters of collaboration within our ensembles, and disasters at collaboration outside our ensemble.”

Anon.

THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS

Imagine a collaboration you would like to see happen for your class or work?

What are two reasons this collaboration would be good for your work?

What are two reasons this collaboration would be good for your collaborator?

What is the primary perceived deal-breaker in the way of this collaboration?

THE MOTIVATION OF COLLABORATION

Collaboration is motivated by a common goal held between two or more entities:

• that moves them closer to their mission,

• that cannot be achieved alone,

• that will not be able to be achieved with current resources, or

• that will not be able to be achieved as effectively without a partner.

THE “Y” PARABLE

QUIET

THE “Y” PARABLE

QUI(y)ET

THE “Y” PARABLE

QUIET

CHARACTERISTICS OF COLLABORATION

Complementarity (Diversity)

Tension

Emergence

OUTCOMES OF COLLABORATION

Collaboration achieves a common goal.

Collaboration can provide insurance.

Collaboration may widen the scope of intrinsic motivation.

Collaboration bolsters unstable self-discipline.

Connective motivation maximizes the energies various partners bring.

ESTABLISHING THE ENVIRONMENT

We work with those who are interested in working with us.

We start with the elements we have in common, investing in "we", and carefully watching the "I”.

We identify or create a unifying goal.

STEPS TO COLLABORATION

• Identify or create a unifying goal

• Incite a common value of teamwork

• Continually speak the language of collaboration

• Watch the behavior of the emerging collaboration

• As we work together, we empower each other to change the culture

• Celebrate our results

PERSONAL CHALLENGES OF COLLABORATION

The Fear of…

Lower performance

Stress and control issues

Conformity of thought

Imbalance of workload

Personality clashes

Competition

ENDIGENOUS CHALLENGES OF COLLABORATION

Impatience

Ownership

Conflict

Unfriendliness

REFERENCES

Conkling, Susan. (2000) “Collaboration in the Choral Ensemble” (Oklahoma City: Choral Journal, Vol . 41, No. 2). 

Hansen, Morten T. (2009) Collaboration (Boston: Harvard Business Press).

Lutz, Jim, and Sharp, T. (2004) “Thinking Outside the (Music) Box.” in Collaborative Creativity (London: Free Association Books).

Sharp, Tim (2014) Collaboration in the Ensemble Arts: Working and Playing Well With Others (Chicago: GIA Publications).