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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

433 replies

PleasantPheasant · 21/01/2017 22:06

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 posts:
Rooiboscz · 22/01/2017 09:33

If you can't laugh at "Glee on HRT", then I think you're the miserable, po-faced ones.

It seems the choristers are all taking themselves too seriously. It's a hobby. It's fun. It's good for you, and that is all. If you want to genuinely impress the public, get some singing lessons.

Liiinoo · 22/01/2017 09:34

I love choirs and community singing, I find it very moving but I have yet to hear a good Rock Choir. My heart sinks when I turn up at a show/fete/exhibition and realise that RC will be singing there. It is a mystery to me how they can all be so bad.

I also agree that the fees are a total rip off. I just checked out the Brighton Gay Men's Chorus website( because I have heard them often and know they are brilliant) and they only charge members £24 a month. And the singing is great, truly uplifting.

CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger · 22/01/2017 09:39

This thread is sickening - your blatant distain for women (yes, I don't see many men on HRT) of a certain age really is just awful.

Seriously, of all the infinitely more worthy things that you could complain about and you choose this??

I was in a rock choir briefly (age 37 if it's of any relevance), it wasn't for me but I certainly don't begrudge those in the group of their activity, or their performances (twice a year, to friends and family). The way I see it is that if they are good enough to perform to the general public and well received then brilliant, and if they're not then they aren't and most likely won't be asked back - but the mocking and humiliation is utterly uncalled for.

EvilTwins · 22/01/2017 09:40

Roo I had singing lessons for years and sang professionally for years. I still love my choir. Even though there is a range of talent. We're not looking for a recording contract. We enjoy it. We sell out a 700 seat theatre twice a year. The people who come and watch enjoy it - most of them are watching friends/family members. My own kids and several I teach are in it. You being rude about it is not going to stop the enjoyment.

user1478860582 · 22/01/2017 09:41

If it wasn't for the hordes of amateurs doing things such as the arts or sport you would never get to discover the exceptionally talented.

I'm watching the India v England cricket match at the moment and not one of those players would be playing at this level if it wasn't for the grass root clubs. 95% of the players in grass root clubs will be mediocre. They are however the backbone of cricket.

OP, just because you're shit, don't be down on everyone else!

Strongmummy · 22/01/2017 09:45

I think the OP might just be crying into a glass of wine over not getting picked to sing the solo for "Wind Beneath My Wings" at her local rock choir. I can give you some singing lessons if you like OP.....I do charge however.

CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger · 22/01/2017 09:45

And by the way, it isn't always the blind leading the blind (although so what if it is!) - ourcteacher was incredibly well respected singer and Sam Smith's former singing teacher.

noeffingidea · 22/01/2017 09:47

anne I thought part of the point of these choirs was that experienced or semi professional singers are there to lead and teach some basic techniques? Otherwise you might as well just get together with your mates and sing for free.
If I'm paying to practice a hobby and there's a leader or instructor then, yes, I do consider it an obligation for them to help me to improve, through help and guidance.

Catherinebee85 · 22/01/2017 09:53

Aww how mean. I sing in a choir (not rock choir).
I'm 31 and find it difficult to make friends, I'm quite isolated but I look forward to choir every week. I don't sing in a choir for the performances but do generally enjoy them.

Why not write a strongly worded email each time you have to suffer at an event if it's so offensive? You may be able to prevent them from being booked again. Wouldn't that be nice for you x

IAmNotAUserNumber · 22/01/2017 09:56

ODFOD Rooibozc

NannyR · 22/01/2017 10:03

Our choir leader (who is a professionally trained singer) does teach us. We do a lot of vocal technique for warm ups and she will go over and over things with us till we get it right. I do feel my singing ability has improved over the last two years. However in an audition free choir there is only so much they can teach, we are never going to sound professional, the majority of us are enthusiastic amateurs.

ShelaghTurner · 22/01/2017 10:11

Wow. Thanks. It's taken me a couple of years to build up the confidence to book a taster session, I'm supposed to be going next week. I can sing ok, I'm not Kiri Te Kanawa but I can hold a tune and I know I'd love to go and belt out a tune with lots of other people. Now I feel shit about it. I didn't realise RC was so offensive to people. I have depression and suspected ASD. This wasn't going to be easy for me. Now it feels impossible again.

Wellthatsit · 22/01/2017 10:14

I am amazed that no-one picked up on the comment that Rock choirs are run by ''failed musicians". Presumably that makes all music educators "failed musicians" because they are teaching music rather than performing professionally.

There is a lot of other misinformation on this thread, like the fact that you need training to join a choir or even that you need to be a good singer.

There are also very very few professional choirs in this country. Even the big choirs connected to prestigious orchestras are made up of amateurs (albeit with quality control I. e. an audition to get in).

Rock Choir is formulaic, and does sing to backing tracks, which isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it isn't pretending to be anything else. I am not a big fan of the style of singing as I prefer choral music that doesn't have a drum beat, but that's me.

As for the singers all thinking they're brilliant, that is probably not the case, but every good choral director knows that you need to get your choir to look happy and to fully commit to their performance if you want to engage an audience. Imagine watching a choir stand there looking embarrassed or apologetic - that wouldn't do much for anyone.

It might be obvious for my post, but I am a musician, a music teacher, and a community choir director and know how important our choir is to the members, and also how important the quality of our performances are to me and to the members. We have singers who are v musical and singers who don't read music, even a few who can't stay in tune. It is my job to make it work. It is extremely hard work leading a large group like that, and should not be underestimated. It's not a job for a "failed musician".

By the way, have you ever tried making a living as a musician/music teacher - it's not easy...

Roo - you come across as an elitist snob. Pleasantpheasant - you come across as sneering and judgemental.

So, yes YABU, OP.

Bettersleepoutdoors · 22/01/2017 10:15

Yes, YABU.
Your assertion that Rock Choir is awful and a group of middle aged women who can't sing is inaccurate and unkind.
Your comments are also rude, sexist, ageist and goady.
Were you inspired the troll thread [ gloved and bespectacled 50 year old woman hogging the ticket machine while important men and younger women needed to go about their day]?

PleasantPheasant · 22/01/2017 10:18

Any chance you could all just calm down a bit now? You're now putting words in my mouth, blaming me for some much harsher posts - which I did not write - and not reading what I am saying.
I agree my op was clumsily worded and did not make it clear what I didn't like about rock choir - the choreography, backing music, bad arrangements and bad locations for the gigs as well as a really boring repertoire. All of this is attributed to the leader, not the singers themselves. But some groups build themselves up I think causing tone deaf people to think theyre Mariah Carey. It doesn't make them better singers.
No I'm not in, and have never been in, rock choir. I have no desire for a solo in any choir. My DM is in such a choir. I have attended many events to support her. No I don't heckle and throw things. I listen but I can't say it gets me excited. That's my opinion. A few people shared it, the rest of you clearly don't. That's fine but let's give it a rest.

OP posts:
JustAnotherPoster00 · 22/01/2017 10:18

Rooibozc Funniest responses ever this thread has made me laugh and I dont give a flying fuck how the rest of you feel about it tbh Grin

The hyperbole and hysteria on this thread are ridiculous, just because the OP used the term middle aged, it caused that much offence? Or is the hysteria because a few of you that do it deep down know how crap you sound but would rather the blissful ignorance of believing people or family friends after a show, that they probably had no choice but to listen to you at, who tell you how wonderful you all sounded

The Glee on HRT was funny made me laugh anyway

YANBU OP Grin

Bettersleepoutdoors · 22/01/2017 10:20

"Any chance you could all just calm down a bit now"
Hmm rude and generalising.

PleasantPheasant · 22/01/2017 10:22

And stop blaming me for your lack of confidence, mental health issues, trauma etc. At best it's far-fetched, otherwise it's pathetic.

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 22/01/2017 10:24

Mental health issues are pathetic?

PleasantPheasant · 22/01/2017 10:24

Bettersleepoutdoors Grin

OP posts:
JustAnotherPoster00 · 22/01/2017 10:24

EvilTwins ODFOD

Bluntness100 · 22/01/2017 10:24

I really don't understand why it bothers you op. If it makes the participants happy and they are enjoying it, and others enjoy the performance, why do you object to it and judge them so harshly. So what if they take it seriously and try their best, or even, think they are good. Good for them, why do you need to burst their bubble.

It honestly reads like you're either jealous of people having fun or being happy.

IAmNotAUserNumber · 22/01/2017 10:25

This group looks like great fun. I wonder if there's a Tuneless. Hour in my area?
www.tunelesschoir.com/join-another-tuneless-choir/west-bridgford-tuneless-choir/

cherrycokehead · 22/01/2017 10:25

OP I am calmly calling you ageist, sexist, rude and miserable.

IAmNotAUserNumber · 22/01/2017 10:25

Tuneless Choir, not hour