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

Wow, what a bitchy thread. There's lots of things that make me cringe but I put up with them because I can see the people doing them get a lot of them. I've put up with the national obsession with football all my life - something I can't stand yet takes over the TV schedules etc at regular intervals.

I joined a choir last year that mostly does popular music and has no audition and I'm middle aged. I can sing and have been in more traditional choirs in the past. This one though has the best atmosphere by far and everyone supports each other. Yes, some of the solos can be a bit cringe worthy sometimes but who are they actually hurting if that's what they want to do and are brave enough to stand up and do it.

The whole idea makes me cringe.

But I can't sing at all, and I know this, donor a problem.

I'm not sure where the notion that they can't sing has come from - a quick google search and there seems to be nothing but praise from music professionals, TV, journalists and the public. The choirs seem to operate on a no audition basis so that they are available to anyone who is interested- surely this is a good thing? The range of abilities will be similar to any large group - some who can't sing but happy to be there to those who can perform as a soloist and feature at the concerts and CD's.

Thats fair enough, Laurie but I get the impression from a couple of posts that Rock choir may be ripping off some of the participants by taking their money and not helping them improve.

Don't know much about Rock choir, but choir is a hobby people get a great deal from. And so what if they're not much good? I object to the notion we should only do something if we're good at it.

If you don't like it, don't go to their concerts. I can't imagine you'd be missed.

ivykaty personally I wouldn't hold the spice girls up as an example of any kind of standard in music. They set a very low bar, IMO. But good for them being commercially succesful.
Having read through the rest of the thread I can see the OP's point of view a little bit more clearly. If it really is run as big business then it's fair to hold it to a higher standard. But thats a reflection on the owners, not the participants who I'm sure are doing their best. Also, judging from youtube, they do seem to have a very limited repetoire compared to other choirs (and not to my personal taste). Perhaps that will expand with time.

"Op, to be frank you sound very bitter about a particular choir. did they not give you a solo? Rather than being spiteful and mean and putting others off joining a choir that might provide them with a fun, uplifting activity, how about dealing with your baggage offline. "

Exactly what I believe is behind this op!

I used to be part of one, not at the moment as due to my own ill health can't attend but when I did go I made friends, had fun, got support through some tough times, and performing in public is a great confidence boost. Never had any complaints and raised money for great causes - those considering - go for it!

"And no I have never been in or wanted to join a rock choir." Aye right you seem to know a lot about the inner workings for someone who's never been

Awful mean spirited idea for a thread.

Yes it's a business and as such has overheads - the leaders salaries, admin, website, downloads to rehearse at home to, making the backing tracks, and of course the rights to the songs which I imagine isn't cheap!

But usually at least 6 fundraising events per year for the one I went to raising an average of £1000 per event for various charities and that's a small choir in the back of beyond!

Those saying 'I don't want it inflicted on me' have you no LESS than perfect aspects of yourselves that you 'inflict' on others? Given the tone of the meaner posts I highly doubt it!

Op did you ever have to listen to the spice girls live? I did at a works do, they were drafted in to get experience of performing to a crowd. The crowd quickly reformed at the bar they were so bad. By Xmas they had their first number one record.

It's amazing what awful singing can achieve, especially when technology is involved to cover the mistakes on a recording

I think it's a wonderful hobby for those who enjoy it.

But I don't want to hear it and am getting a bit fed up with choirs being at events I go to as a warm up act. I love to listen to a "good" choir but not these.

My SIL is in rock choir and demands the whole family attend anytime they're 'performing', she's shit, they're shit and it's a complete PITA for anyone that's not actually in the choir. Feel free to meet and sing and socialise but FFS stop forcing it on people who don't want to listen to it.

Rock choir is a huge business...

The £10 per two hour session is actually really good value IMO.

It goes towards the salaries of the leaders, who are all professionals, and the running of headquarters, who organise our events, from small appearances in local churches to 10,000 members singing together at the NEC in Birmingham, for example.

I see no reason why they should work for free.

Oh no, some more middle aged women trying to improve public health AND let people have fun. Bah Humbug! happy people not miserable bridge dwellers

Fucking Hell. Thanks a lot to every stupid ignorant bastard who thinks no-one is entitled to sing for their own enjoyment or stand up and make jokes in public and make other folk laugh, unless they are 'X-Factor Ready.' What a sodding endorsement of our pathetic Celebrity Culture.

Wankers. If you want the best, then fucking pay to hear a professional choir and orchestra. Or go to Jongleurs for a night out. Don't sneer at 'middle aged women'. Or pensioners with dementia who sing because music is the last part of their memory they can access.

This thread is having the opposite effect on me. The more I read the whining posts, the more it makes me want to google and see if there's any Rock Choirs in my area.
I can't sing, but I really enjoy it when nobody's around to listen
People think you have to be Glee type young teenagery age otherwise you're cringey?! Makes me want to go out and sing loudly in their faces.

Our choir held a fundraising evening for our local hospice just before Christmas. Tickets were £5, there was a raffle, the venue (a hotel) was free, we raised £600 for the hospice. The audience were mostly friends, family and hospice supporters, (no one forced them to come!!!) but they had a good night, we enjoyed singing and the hospice benefited too - win, win all round.

According to the Rock Choir website, people pay £300 per year to be a member, which is nothing to do with charity.

SecretWitch

Actually, looking at community/ rock choir websites, I'm not convinced they perform in aid of charity to the extent that some may presume. It looks as though their coffers are nicely swelled too.

Rooibuscz, you seem a bit over invested in this thread. You ok, dear?

I saw several other very good comedians that night, so it was worthwhile. That shit comedian went down like a lead balloon and so won't be booked there again.

The people who pocket all of those tenners - that's for charity is it?

I'm sure you went home thoroughly annoyed after a miserable evening. I'm sure the comedian could have done without you being there too. I am also sure that he didn't give a shiny shit as he got paid and as the people in these choirs also don't give a shiny shit because they didn't make you attend and they are raising money for charity, not their own pockets.

I think it's cruel and mean spirited to try to make people feel ashamed or embarrassed about something they obviously enjoy.

YWBVU to say what you've said in your OP to anyone in a rock choir, and to be honest I think YABU to even say it here.

Buskers don't ask for my undivided attention or to buy a ticket. They're also much more likely to be better than an amateur choir.

I once went to a comedy club and saw a really crappy comedian. He was really, really bad. Should I have smiled and clapped out of sympathy for the fact that he was 'just having fun'? I wouldn't have been so patronising.