With the ever growing popularity of television shows based around singing, is the school choir becoming a place for the cool kids to hang out?
When I was at primary school, many moons ago, I was not interested in the school choir. I thought that anyone wanting to join the choir must have had something up with them, or cruel parents.
That was nothing to do with the fact that when I sing the clouds appear to turn grey, the milk sour and people around me off their ears. No, not at all.
Now my son has decided to join his school choir.
I'll have some of that
I have positively encouraged him, rather than pushing him. Some other parents -particularly the dads – have commented on joining the choir disparagingly, but I don’t agree. I think it is great.
The advent of High School Musical, massive exposure of shows like the X Factor and the Glee phenomenon has most likely increased the cred of joining a school choir. But I think my boy has joined for different reasons.
He has sat through choir performances at various school events, can see how much fun the other kids have singing, and has thought: ‘I’ll have some of that’.
I found someone else who agrees with me. Sarah Moore who ran a choir for six to eleven-year-olds, thought the club aspect and slight competiveness of getting through an audition added to her choir’s kudos.
Kate C also thinks that sitting through some brilliant school choir performances has her children itching to join in.
Alexandra Topping of The Guardian says it is Glee making choirs cool.
Allison Marshall’s daughter doesn’t care if it’s cool, she just loves to sing. And isn’t that how it should be?
Whatever the reasons, the popularity of school choirs has increased, to such an extent that the Choir of the Year competition has seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of entrants.
So, have your children joined their school choir? Or is it a big no-no for your brood?
Further resources
Choirzone is a lovely website uniting choirs and displaying some wonderful achievements.
Find out all about the chart-topping St Winifred's School Choir.
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editor
10 November, 2010
I'd always fancied the idea of my girls being in a choir - regardless of how they felt about it! But their junior school didn't have one until they were in Year Five, they did give it a go as so many of their friends did too, but when one dropped out, they all followed really, they sang in a couple of assemblies and that was it. I'd have loved to see them stay involved but it was all a bit half-hearted.
mum
10 November, 2010
I sang in a semi-professional choir as a teenager and I still feel a little embarrassed saying that, so there is perhaps still some uncoolness about choirs. I'd love my daughter to join the school choir because she's got a good singing voice. At the moment she is too shy but I think it would help boost her confidence.
admin
10 November, 2010
Wow Rosie you should be proud to say so - singing is the most beautiful gift (if you can do it in tune that is).
I sang in the school choir in primary school and loved it. It was a bit of a nerdy thing to do, but I sang my heart out nontheless. My daughter's school doesn't have a choir (that I know of) but she loves to sing, and if they did have one I would encourage her to sing in it!
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
11 November, 2010
My daughter is actually 10 now but my friend and I started running a choir at her school 3 years ago. The choir has gone from strength to strength and we now have 48 KS2 members (a few of which are boys)! We too, have come across parents that discourage their sons from joining the choir as it's seen as a girly thing to do! I find this totally shocking in this day and age - have they not heard of Zach Efron, Robbie Williams or even Xfactor?!
We have always given the children a real mix of music to keep them interested such as High School Musical, old musicals, pop songs, xmas songs plus songs I've written myself. I am also a musical director of a ladies choir so have led or been part of a choir now for 27 years! Some of the children in our choir have gained so much confidence through singing and have 'come out of their shell' so to speak. Even their parents can't believe the change (for the better) in them. Music should be a part of everyones life and I really feel that schools don't do enough in this field.
Rachel
11 November, 2010
My 8 year old auditioned for the choir this term.He's been influenced by watching Glee and the X Factor.He got in and is one of five boys in the choir.I'm very proud of him.
mum
15 November, 2010
My boys are both very musical. They play guitar (think Slipknot and Linkin Park here) and are constantly plugged into iPods. They may be rockers, but both of them are in the school choir and my oldest is singing a solo (in Latin!) at the Cathedral carol concert this December. They don't see any difference between singing along to rock music and singing Oh Holy Night. And long may it continue!
editor
15 November, 2010
Wow RachGrif sounds like you have done such an amazing job! And so you should be proud, Alison, that's a brilliant achievement.