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

I think that's why this thread has upset me - my mum loves singing but never knew how her naturally deep voice fitted in - she spent years at church singing her heart out in a loud flat way that people would frown at and turn and look and it made her quiet self conscious

the choir has taught her how her voice fits in and how to use it so that it sounds beautiful - and to see me 70 year old mum up on stage singing her heart out full of happiness actually makes me well up - so quiet frankly the OP can stick to last night of the proms and professional choirs - give me occasionally off key joy every day

Exactly ghost people love watching because it is fun and our enjoyment can be contagious.

I find it quite sad that other people can't just enjoy it for what it is or just let us get on with it without making out we should keep away in our little practice room so not to inconvenience them.

There is a busker in my city centre who is quite famous for being really crap at what he does.

I would never be so up my own arse to say that he should stop what he is doing because some people (most people) don't enjoy it.

I am not so precious that I can't handle listening to something I don't really enjoy and i'm adult enough not to go to events I don't want to go to.

If you can't cope with listening to us, don't listen, but don't expect us to stop what we are doing to please your delicate little ears.

U2 my mums choir is not always on top form but I get huge pleasure from their enthusiasm and enjoyment - it's joyous to watch people having fun

It's about people mistakenly thinking other people would choose to listen to their crappy singing.

Yet so many people do choose to listen. So many people choose to stop and listen and sing along with us and have fun.

Not every RC sounds crappy either. We don't presume everyone will enjoy it or think we sound amazing. We just don't care. Come and enjoy it, walk off and don't listen. We don't care what you do but we certainly don't think we are the bee's knees.

Again, people presume this is a choir-bashing thread. It isn't. It's about people mistakenly thinking other people would choose to listen to their crappy singing.

Don't go then. You're an adult and capable of making choices.

Also, if you squirm at having to lie and plastering a fake smile on then that is your issue. We shouldn't stop performing in public for the people who do enjoy it because some people can't say no to family and feel squirmy.

Again, people presume this is a choir-bashing thread. It isn't. It's about people mistakenly thinking other people would choose to listen to their crappy singing.

As I said before, singing in a choir must be fantastic for many, many people. I can see why it would be offered on prescription.

It's about the need to show other people what you do and presume they'll think it's good. Embarrassing.

Yes, I could just go and smile and cheer (I have), but that's totally disingenuous. Friends have said the same and talk about making excuses not to go in future.

Then just say no. Tell them you can't make it.

We perform for other people because hundreds of people love hearing us and joining in on the fun, and we are asked to perform by many different charities and events.

I don't drag my family and friends to watch me. My best friend watched me once because she asked to. My husband came once because he wanted to see me. No dragging people along. I don't ask anyone to come and if your family is asking you all the time then like someone else said, that's a problem with those people. Not with Rock Choir.

I do things for other people when I would rather not because it is important to them. It isn't a hardship is it?

Well, it is a bit of a hardship., because I don't really want to go. But the worst bit is having to lie, it makes me feel squirmy inside when I have to plaster on a fake grin and say it was great when it really, really wasn't.

I don't understand why these choirs feel they have to perform to other people. Can you not just sing in a choir for your own enjoyment without dragging family and friends into it? I have a hobby I love but I don't make people watch me doing it!

Singing is good for COPD, possibly some doctors have told patients to take up singing and they have joined choirs...?

yes! It's the sense of obligation to humour people's vanity.

You really are spiteful aren't you?

So what do the pro-choir posters suggest the reluctant audience do? Refuse to attend? - that seems mean.

They either go and smile or don't go.

I do things for other people when I would rather not because it is important to them. It isn't a hardship is it?

Like I said. I don't expect anyone to enjoy it, yet people do. When we play in the city centre people will always stop shopping and sit on the benches to listen. The ones who don't want to listen carry on with their day. It's simple.

And if they can't get away from the sound of us I'm sure they will cope.

Don't listen then.

What a mean spirited post.

My local college has a choir as an evening class IYSWIM - being led by a music teacher in a purpose-built venue. About £3 a session but paid termly. Worth looking if yours does similar?

ghosty we wear black with a splash of, er black The men get to wear red bowties at Christmas.

I've suggested jazzing it up with bright turquoise* scarves / cravats for the summer concert, red &/or green for Christmas & a lot of people are keen, but the stalwart old worthies soon stamp out any radical ideas they'll probably die soon Black is okay for the miserable Easter concert.

• everyone suits turquoise & we could get a job lot

ithaka - yes! It's the sense of obligation to humour people's vanity.

Go for it. Oops!

Go back it Shelagh - it doesn't have to be Rock Choir - most places have a no-auditions choir or two.

Has anyone got any other suggestions? I just want to sing for a bit of feelgood-ness and I'm shy so auditioning etc is out.

OP you are very naughty but glee on hrt made my day.

I'm one of those middle-aged women you allude to....but Rock Choirs? No thanks.

Yes, they're ok for a bit of fun, and yes, singing is very therapeutic and all that but they're cringe worthy to watch and even more cringe worthy to listen to.

Yanbu.

I can see both side - sits on fence- Music should be for all and it is great it gives so many such pleasure...
But..
My mum is in a choir and of course she doesn't 'force' me to come to the performances, but there is a sense of obligation. And she loves it, she is as high as a kite afterwards. So, yay for that. But it is shit and painful to sit through.

So what do the pro-choir posters suggest the reluctant audience do? Refuse to attend? - that seems mean. The only audience is reluctant family and these shit choirs do seems to want to perform. Attend and tell the truth? - it would be like shooting Bambi. So I attend and lie - what else can I do?

In truth, if amateur choirs were happy just to sing for their own enjoyment, it would be a lovely harmless hobby. But they do insist on inflicting it on their poor relatives, who love them and don't want to hurth their feelings.

So my advice to the singers is, enjoy the singing but please don't expect anyone else to. I have wasted too many evening in drafty church halls appeasing the vanity of middle aged men and women.

U2 depends on how long the session is, surely? I pay £90 per term. My kids' choir is £60 per term (same as their youth theatre) but my session is longer. £5-£6 per hour seems fairly standard for lots of activities. I pay similar for my kids' gymnastics club.

You are not being unreasonable however you are missing the point of them
I am.a member of one. I genuinely can't song a note but I love it. I love the fact no one cares.
It's the best stress buster ever. Great fun. Good company.
Maybe give it a try