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?

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

"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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The whole idea makes me cringe.

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

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.

I'm in Rock Choir. I'm 37 - is that middle aged? Don't know these days!

The emphasis is fun. It isn't a charity (although we do raise money for charity often.) It is a business which allows people to enjoy singing (which incidentally is great for mental health). I've sung at some amazing places, with famous people and made great friends.

I don't think I'm a great singer and wouldn't sing solo. RC have no obligation to teach me to sing well or "improve" or whatever the comment I read just now said. I'm paying to be in it just like, for example, going to a gym. Would a gym have to improve my athletic ability because I'm paying for it? No - I pay for a service for my own reasons.

I just love it for my own enjoyment and that really is as far as it goes! Love it!!

LapsedPacific, it was a Jongleurs!

I'm in a choir this one It's not Rock Choir but is mostly middle aged I bloody love it and I think we're actually quite good thank you very much. There are actually 7 choirs and we come together for concerts (the link is 3/7 - sometimes we all do one, sometimes we don't) The woman who runs it is unbelievably talented. I love it because it's the one thing I do for me. I wouldn't gib two hoots if people said we were shit - I'm not looking for a recording contract. Singing in a choir has so many benefits - that's what it's about. We don't force anyone to watch the concerts.

I think YABU. My Mum found great comfort in singing while she was going through Chemo and they were proud of their performances even if they weren't up to your standards.

Sorry, but that really isn't very good at all. It's like a secondary school concert. A great hobby, but at that standard that's all it is.

You taking to me? It's filmed on someone's phone so difficult to tell.

videos.smugmug.com/Videos/EveryVoice-Community-Choirs/i-7LbSzFt/1/SMIL/7LbSzFt.smil/master.m3u8

People pay to see secondary (and even primary) school shows/choirs. Obviously you don't need to Rooiboczs but there's no need to be rude.

Agree with what everyone's saying. Sneery crappy thread. Just a bunch of people singing because they like it. So what? Rock choir take money for the organisation. Someone get a job, people get to sing. I went along for one session, as it was the only choir anywhere in my area. I loved singing in choirs as a child and love to sing to myself. Might've continued with rock choir if the time suited me better. The middled aged women were so lovely and welcoming btw.

That is awful. It's just loud noise, not singing. Looks like it might be fun to belt out a few tunes with friends, but certainly not for public performance.

Serin et al. - Why are you asking my opinion if I am so awful, clearly wrong and mean spirited?? If you read my actual posts, I never said anything against men or women of any age singing or doing anything else. I'm not going to repeat my opinions because they have not been appreciated which is fine.Middle-aged was not meant as an offence. In retrospect perhaps it could be seen that way. It was an observation, but whatever.

An observation? Yeah right, presumably "Glee on HRT* was merely an observation too?
Your contempt for older women daring to make a noise in public is evident. Would these groups be more palatable for you if they were formed of 20-something skinny and attractive females?

Looks like it might be fun to belt out a few tunes with friends, but certainly not for public performance.

Nasty.

Public performances are well attended actually - people enjoy them. I enjoy watching my children perform. My parents/DH enjoy watching us. I don't really care what you think TBH. The choir has kids aged 5 and adults aged 90+. It's brilliant.

Yabu. I can't sing to save my life so I would never join but my middle ages sister is in one. They only perform locally and most of those attending are friends or family if the members and they really are good. Obviously some of the voices are stronger than others. It the result is pleasing to the ear .

YABU. And rude. And ageist. And generally miserable - why not just leave people alone to enjoy themselves? No one is forcing you to be near them.

And the 'Glee on HRT' comment was particularly nasty, although I'm sure you think you're hilarious

OP you are very disingenuous.

You're coming across as a Gf. Was that your intention?