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

[PleasantPheasant]

Honestly? I love singing, I think everyone should sing, and sing in groups - it's great. But why all the performances, crap choreography, shitty leaders who also can't sing and are presumably failed musicians. Why can't the ladies (and men) - very few of which can actually sing or understand rhythm, harmony, pitch... - just do it for fun and leave it at that? Why do they think they're amazing singers and their performances are great. From what I've seen they are largely outside, with shit backing music, crap acoustics making the whole thing even worse. AIBU?

Haha! Yep! It's that bloody Malone bloke's fault!

flowery, you responded to me yesterday but I was offline. Good to know the RC is flexible re obligation to perform and arrangements of musoc etc. Sounds like you have a good MD

As for the people at rugby who don't like RC being there, I don't think anyone would notice if you didn't applaud, or even mutter under your breath. Booing loudly might be a bit rude though. It's not quote the same as going to a ticketed event is it?

It's a bit weird to keep having them perform at the games if nobody actually wants them there, isn't it? That does seem more for the benefit of the performers than the audience.

I used to belong to a choir that was a barbershop -a non auditioning one- comprised of mainly middle-aged and elderly women. It was ok when we were standing still but, dressed in matching t-shirts, and with finger-clicking moves, it was indeed a tad cringe worthy. I don't know quite why, either.

But Gospel choirs can seem to pull it off with aplomb; what's the difference?

*"It's a bit weird to keep having them perform at the games if nobody actually wants them there, isn't it?"

RC don't just turn up and impose ourselves! We come and perform because the organisers of these games ask us to!

Maybe it is for the benefit of the performers? And so what? Aren't they entitled to a bit of fun too? Sport isn't that important.

Err, it's at a rugby match, which is what the audience has paid to see, Shelagh! Was you comment serious?

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?

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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

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."

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.

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

"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?!

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.

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!

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.

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 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;)

You will be scum yourself one day

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. 😔😢

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.