Anyone else really annoyed about Albert Hall choir ticket prices

[LTEMT09]

Hi All!

I'm at a loss what to do about this. Our school signed up to the Armonico Consort Royal Albert Hall choir showcase which is next week - already paid for T-shirts and school spending so much time and effort training kids. They have to be at RAH all afternoon and evening on a MONDAY - singing in this show. Parents expected to pay £25 EACH for tickets - no free tickets and only discount if we booked in bulk months ago. Seems like a big con to me. Our kids being used for the show and they know parents will be obliged to come and see. Who actually profits here. Great opportunity for kids, for sure, but at what cost!
Anyone else in same boat?

[PatriciaHolm]

It's a charity -
beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1103159&subid=0

Our school did something similar with Young Voices, it's very popular with the children. I think tickets cost about 22.

[BubblesBuddy]

Both my children performed at the RAH. Schools Prom. We all loved it and I do not see why it should be free for parents. It does cost money to put on any show at the RAH and if a charity benefits, then that's good too. We saw it as an honour that our fantastic Local Authority music centre was chosen to be part of the Prom.

[Moominmammacat]

I really resented paying for this ... but after I went to the concert, I thought it was all worthwhile, really good setup, excellent for children and actually enjoyable.

[LTEMT09]

Thanks Moominmammacat - I suspect I will feel the same re show - but I do think it's unfair to parents - we have families on very low incomes at our school who just won't be able to go. Kids were in a similar show (admittedly not at RAH!) at Xmas and it was incredible - but that was free to go to. I don't mind paying a bit, I just think they are asking too much and playing on parents and kids egos wanting to perform at RAH - I'd rather it be somewhere less grand and accessible to all the families involved. The school are really struggling with the work load too.

[BubblesBuddy]

You should have a charges and remissions policy to help with trips and perhaps the pta funds could help out. It’s a shame to stop something worthwhile for the children because of a few parents. I don’t see why the school should dumb down. High aspiration starts young in my view. You can go local anytime! Also, parents don’t have to go. It’s a choice.

[LTEMT09]

Hi BubblesBuddy, PTA don't have funds to pay for parents - we did discuss it. There is a difference between aspiration and elitism. I do agree it is a wonderful opportunity but I think the way they are fleecing parents is underhanded and unfair.
Of course parents have to go! Can you imagine the disappointment of your child if you don't show up to a performance which is being pitched to them as incredibly grand and important at THE most important show venue in London.... Its emotional blackmail. That's why I'm so furious!

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Thing is Armonico do this every year so you know well in advance.

[catkind]

Absolutely standard if your kids do musical things I'm afraid. What's unusual is the low income family kids getting to take part at all. Normally with things like this it's the kids who have had years of expensive music lessons who get to be involved.

I think it needs to be pitched as this is the away fixture. You've already heard them perform close to home; not all supporters are expected to go to the away match. I think that's fine. Even when my private school put on a RAH show (with other schools), a coachload of kids went up, any spare seats were available to parents, but plenty of parents didn't go too.

Perhaps you could suggest they do a repeat performance of the things they've prepared back at school for those that can't travel?

[LTEMT09]

Tomorrow - school seem to have not been properly informed about the details. I think it's first time they've done it.
Catkind - I think you've hit the nail on the head! Sadly, I suspect our school was targeted to be involved because they presumed we were full of high income families. A repeat performance is a great idea - though I imagine it won't sound very good as they haven't had time to prep all the songs properly and will likely be propped up by the other kids in the big show!
I'm still furious but thank you all for input and suggestions X

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Oh ok, ds’ school is in a poor area and they did it last year too.

[ridinghighinapril]

PTA don't have funds to pay for parents - we did discuss it. There is a difference between aspiration and elitism. I do agree it is a wonderful opportunity but I think the way they are fleecing parents is underhanded and unfair.
Of course parents have to go! Can you imagine the disappointment of your child if you don't show up to a performance which is being pitched to them as incredibly grand and important at THE most important show venue in London.... Its emotional blackmail. That's why I'm so furious!

This is such a shame - I really feel for those kids who won't have their parents there to see them due to finance. Kids do notice and it does make a difference to them esp at such a big event, they want to have that support and share the feeling of pride with their parents.

Is it a large number of parents that are affected or just one or two? If the latter, then that'll be even worse for the kids whose parents can't go. Any way to fundraise for the few without seeming to be doing it out of pity?

[LTEMT09]

Lala - Camden schools one (last week) seems to have been subsidised by local authority (and possibly schools as I know a few people from dif schools who have paid dif prices!). A tenner seems reasonable, doesn't it?! However all tickets for next week are £23 or £25, so looking at £50 for 2 parents/ carers.

Ridinghigh - I so so agree. It's a bit too late to fundraise, it's less than a week away. 27 kids in choir and prob about 2/3 are low income (though some may be more able / willing to pay than others). Some just won't be able to go, but if they get funded it seems unfair to those who can't afford it but will pay out of obligation etc. It's a horrible thing to do to people.

[gillybeanz]

Welcome to my world OP, it costs a bloody fortune for these things.
Factor in another £5 for a programme, £10 for a dvd of them close up?
We can't afford for both parents to go, my dd has done hundreds of concerts, we have to pick and choose carefully.

However, this is one that they'll always remember, oh, yes and a souvenir keyring, pencil, etc.

[deplorabelle]

We've just gone one of these at Wembley 25 quid plus child tshirt plus coaches. Programmes were SEVEN pounds and loads more tat optionally on sale. Ours was not a charity though

[musicteacher616]

I'm a PTA Chair and our school choir took part, I was quite involved in this, Armonico were really good and sent the school loads of information back in October / November which all went out in a letter to parents, plus rehearsal tracks for all the songs. My daughter was singing the songs continually from January onwards! Some parents opted not to come but have ordered a DVD. The RAH is expensive to hire so the ticket price is about right for this venue, have a look at other events there to compare (I can't speak for Camden but perhaps as a London music authority they can hire it for cheaper, I don't know). The concert was brilliant and my kids loved the experience and want to sing there again! I think the school used some of its Pupil Premium money to help with t-shirt and coach costs for some of the children. Young Voices costs are similar I think, we haven't done one of those concerts though so I don't know much about them.