Choir vs Singing Lessons...

[GoldieGal]

Just curious on which you think is best and for what ages?

There's a choir that is local to us that is for all ages and if I'm remembering correctly, it is also cheaper. I just feel that one on one singing lessons would be more beneficial, though the choir may have more fun opportunities for DD.

Any information and advice is appreciated!

It depends. What kind of choir and what does the singing teacher specialise in?

What is the outcome you want? If a chorister then the children get often a top class tutor with individual lessons where they learn how to sing and sight read notes. This comes at the cost of a lot of time spent training and some Sunday and evenings at church. Benefits are a world class musical education, travel (hopefully ) and often discounts at independent schools.

Individual teachers are expensive and vary in quality. A musical theatre singing teacher will not teach a classical style, for example. However, when it comes to grades and formal qualifications, individual is the way to go!

Community choirs - likely to be a lot of fun and possibly the best way to ensure a love of singing

It really depends on the choir as to how much work there is on technique - barbershop choruses, especially those that compete - tend to do a lot of work on technique and it's hugely beneficial. Also it's much more fun to sing in a group with different voices adding to the overall sound.

It depends whether she wants to sing for enjoyment or wants to train her voice for something specific. If she has aspirations to a singing career a stage group might a be better choice?

I've had vocal lessons as an adult for a year now. Started because I was embarrassed to sing in church. But I would say vocal lessons as well as choir. It's like joining an orchestra with any other instrument but without having the lessons to learn how to play.

Is it possible to do both or do you have to choose one? Lessons are better for technique but singing in a choir is more fun IME. It's like learning an instrument but also playing in a band / orchestra.

What Agnes said.

On cost, my choristers get paid to sing (pocket money), and all the voice coaching and theory lessons etc are free. If you can find a choir locally that does RSCM Voice for Life medals, that’s a sign it’ll be good. Ours doesn’t require Christian faith, just that you’re prepared to sing hymns and sit nicely through the service.

As others have said, depends on why your DD is doing this, what she wants to get out of the experience, what age she is.

If she's already been singing for several years, is thinking about an auditioning choir/ becoming a chorister/ going to music college, the answer is "both."

If your DD just loves singing, is relatively new to it, then go for just the choir. She will learn loads - any half way decent choir leader will touch on stuff like breathing, pitch, listening, blending with the voices round you. (Though beware come and sing amateur set ups pitched at "anyone can try this even if you've been told you can't carry a tune in a bucket" as they can be very slow and boring, and she won't learn anything. Great for inclusion, great for confidence building in people new to it, but not great for people who already have a music background.)

If her interest is a pop career, again, don't underestimate the possibilities of a choir. Some of the greatest singers started out that way, specially gospel choirs in the US.

I've never really done any music lessons so I'm quite confused by it all.

I had a quick look through the choirs website. It says it's ran by a professional conductor and is a relaxed and supportive group. No singing experience is needed and it's for all ages. It looks as if they may do a few performances here and there. They practice once a week as she would with a one on one singing coach as they seem quite expensive.

As much as I would like for her to benefit from singing lessons, I don't want anything that requires a lot of time. She is already involved in quite a few other things as it is.

How old is your DD, and what's she hoping for out of this experience?

The choir sounds from the description like a solid choice. The fact that it mentions having a professional conductor is a good sign.

Sorry, I should of added that she is only 7.

Also, is it a youth choir?

Cos the demographic of adult choirs skews to an average age of about 50, and she wouldn't get a lot of fun from that!

She is really excited about the idea, so I want to make sure she'll enjoy it. If she does then I'll consider letting her do both when she's a bit older but for now I think it would be to much.

@CaraDuneRedux It's all ages welcome. Maybe I'll have a look around for a youth choir then?

I am a member of a choir and our leader does one to one lessons for those who want them. Well she did before COVID! Get your DD to join the choir. She will have so much fun. Add singing lessons in the future.

@ApolloandDaphne I definitely think that's what we'll do, thank you!

Pretty much any choir will let you attend for a trial rehearsal, so you could just take her along (though I'd phone first and ask what the mix of ages was). But (having been around amateur music making myself from about the age of 9) I'd go with trying to find a youth choir. A huge part of the fun (and hence the motivation for coming back) is hanging out with kids your own age.