WIBU to say that choirs full of people who can't sing (Rock Choir) are awful?

I was a leader in Rock Choir for a few years, and every outside performance is sung to stereo tracks. It used to really annoy me that they never trusted us as musicians to lead our choirs with just backing tracks.
Sometimes the stereo tracks were so loud you could clearly hear Rock Choir leaders and Caroline's voices, and yet it was a false impression on the people of your choirs you had on the day of the event.

Can't stand the BIG company and they took so much money from our earnings. 50% to the company and a further 15% went to the admin HQ team, who some were out as quick as they came in. I am pleased it's been years since I have been out and good luck to them, but not for me. It's a cult of brain washing!

I started vocal training at age 12 and, over the years, have done stage work in the West End, studio and backing work, fronted quite a few live bands…basically a ‘jobbing’ singer and vocal teacher. I’m also now 56 years old and a Rock Choir member.

before you write everyone off, I’ve toured with Rose Royce, Womack and Womack, Paula Abdul in the 80s and 90s and I love Rock Choir.

it’s not elitist, it’s not ‘up itself’ and we all have a great time.

oh, and the choir directors you’re taking a shot at? All have degrees in music, are highly experienced and before they’re allowed near a choir have to undergo another year of intensive training.

we aren’t rock stars, we don’t pretend to be, but what we are is part of a huge, warm, loving group of 20,000+ members who have each others’ backs and genuinely love music, with a 4 album recording deal under our belts.

singing is for everyone, not just trained professionals and the massive amount of joy we both give and get? Couldn’t buy it.

you don’t like? Don’t listen. But don’t slag off those who do, please.

…and no, I’m purely and simply a choir member, no affiliations otherwise.

OP I get what you mean. YANBU.

I had a taster session at rock choir about a month ago, I found it very enjoyable, but everything changed as soon as I joined (payed my first terms money). I found that everyone was in friendship groups and seemed reluctant to include me in conversations. I decided I needed to give it a few weeks of trying and kept going, but after the 3rd time of sitting on my own again not having a conversation with anyone I decided to leave. I e mailed the choir leader and explained why I wasn't coming back, she didnt even have the decency to reply. I think they are very keen to get you signed up and it is a business after all, but it is very expensive, and they do need to welcome new members and help them to settle in more. My advice would be to try and go with existing members rather than going on your own as it can be an isolating experience.

Why do they have to do performances? I'm an atrocious singer but would be quite happy just singing with a group for the fun of it. I wouldn't inflict it on anyone else though. As for flash mob singing, I run from it unless they are Really Good. I hate all these public performances unless it's something you GO TO and specifically pay to hear. Otherwise it's just annoying busking as much louder so difficult to escape from.

I agree about the cost - it's quite shocking. A community choir is one thing but loads of people paying a tenner each to a commercial enterprise?! I can go to hear a really good speaker at the local history society and pay only £2 at the most (£1 members, membership £5 pa); that covers hall hire, speakers, and tea and biscuits. WTF are they providing for £10 per week?

This is a zombie thread - long dead, hope attitudes are changing.

As mum of two and gran of four, I feel saddened by the level of hate and nastiness towards something as harmless as Rock Choir (in which I have no vested interest!). This coming from some women who have the privilege of having major impact on the wonderful minds of the next generation is really worrying. 😔😢

MNHQ it is not choirs that are a divisive topic, it is ageism with a hint of sexism.

I have read most of this thread but not all of it. The Glee on HRT and Care in the Community comments are offensive. I am pleased that so many people have called them out. MN can sometimes be so insulting to older women. So many people complain about there MIL's interference and wish she would get a life then older people are laughed at when they find an enjoyable hobby.

As mum of two and gran of four, I feel saddened by the level of hate and nastiness towards something as harmless as Rock Choir (in which I have no vested interest!). This coming from some women who have the privilege of having major impact on the wonderful minds of the next generation is really worrying. 😔😢

You will be scum yourself one day

I was thinking about this thread at Rock Choir last night, Zhx3. Great minds think alike;)

I've done Wembley, singing with Rock Choir, and I've also been to rugby as a spectator (not as a fan, it bores the f* out of me, but other half and DD are big Sarries fans). It's not as if there's anything else going on at half time that you miss by the choir being there instead is it? The game still happens. They don't plan to book Take That but accidentally get Rock Choir instead.

I really don't get people stressing about things that they don't like that really don't affect them. Life's short.
The OP should lighten up, maybe even give singing a go, you might like it after all;)

There are also loads of other choirs around, if you don't like Rock Choir, or if you'd prefer to sing a different genre. I know I'd never get into a choir that required auditions!

I must admit, I thought of this thread as I went to Rock Choir this morning! Hate to say that the negative comments weighed on my mind more than I would have liked them to, but I had a lovely time as always. Singing really is good for the soul. No requirement whatsoever for you to perform in public at our choir, but the requests from organisations for us to support their cause come in regularly.

I don't begrudge my £10 per session (1.5 hours) - venue hire, salaries, song rights etc. need to be paid and of course every business is looking to make a profit.

If anyone reading this thread has been encouraged to join a choir, I'd totally recommend it. Rock Choir is accessible in that it doesn't require you to be able to read music or audition. I don't need to spend a lot of time on the songs, which suits me now.

As a very regular rugby and cricket goer I've seen many, many choirs and performers over the years. It hardly intrudes and to be honest more often than not the crowd all join in!

Agree re rugby. I work for the major sponsor and we are offered as many tickets as we like at a fiver each ( they are up in the gods) but lots of us use the opprtunity to take friends and family or take youth groups along. I assume it would seem empty otherwise. Go get a burger if you dont like it!
I used to love communal singing at school but wouldnt join a proper choir. Moving soon so might use this as a way of meeting people.

"Are they actually singing during the match? Are they caterwauling over the announcements? Are they stopping the players getting onto the pitch?"

I can assure you we do none of these things! To be clear, I've never done the Wembley fixture but I know the drill and have done football fixtures.

I'm honestly bemused at the comments about the Wembley fixture being 'disliked', season ticket holders refusing to go, and it being a good thing that it might be the last one. I mean, really? As I said, when I go to football, which I do regularly, I barely notice any entertainment. Sometimes when I do notice it it's not to my taste, but - meh - why on earth should I let that bother me, for the sake of a few minutes of my life? I just talk to my family or play on my phone or pop to the loo or whatever. What's the big deal?!

And as for not liking people attending who don't normally go to rugby, that doesn't sound very inclusive! What about bringing your sport to a wider audience who don't normally see it? I thought that was normally seen as a good thing?! Many Rock Choir people who sing at these fixtures bring their families along as well, and as a result I'm sure several kids have engaged in rugby who otherwise might not have done. Surely a good thing?!

I've sung some Whitacre. It was bloody difficult.

I know lots of people who are talented musicians and some who are professional musicians .

I don't know anyone who thinks that anyone less talented or experienced that them should not be allowed to sing, play and perform. On the contrary, most of them feel that their lives have been enriched by music and they want others to have that pleasure too.

They may choose not to pay to hear them, or perform with them, but that's another matter.

The snobbery displayed by the OP is most unpleasant.

Sorry - that link just goes to his FB page - the post I am referring to is a few posts down the page - headed "Why we sing, and why it is so important."

Here's the composer, Eric Whitacre, on why choral singing is so good for people.

What a thread! I love the idea of public group singing. Why should we stop doing these things when we are adults if we are not professionals. I love singing, don't live in the UK but I think I would join in if I did.

Are they actually singing during the match? Are they caterwauling over the announcements? Are they stopping the players getting onto the pitch? Or are they, as I assume, singing before, after or at half time? If the former then I agree with you. If the latter then, well, tough shit.

"flowery did you see upthread where it's suggested you're invited to be bums on seats for attendance calculations rather than because the music adds to the experience?"

Yes I saw that. May or may not be the case, who knows, but the key is we are invited, we don't just turn up for our own benefit! If people who attend matches really find it so unbearable they should take it up with the organisers.

Personally when I go to football and there's half time entertainment I pay very little attention to it anyway. Can't imagine getting worked up over it to the extent some people seem to.

Wow, I must have missed the bit where I get frog marched to concerts I don't want to go to and chained to my seat.

It's very fucking simple. Don't go if you don't like it. Quite why anyone has problems understanding that, I don't know.