How can I make a stand against the "chavvy" music at dd's school?

[fircone]

When ds was in the infants, the children sang a lot of songs and it sounded lovely. Now dd is there the music is on a downward spiral. They just sing along to (presumably teachers') old pop music tapes. At the last assembly the children mumbled dispiritedly to "Reach for the Sky" by SClub7, and at Christmas I ground my teeth as they half-heartedly muttered a bit of "Funky Town" (remember that one?!) and something by Annie Lennox. They came into the Christmas concert to "Fairytale of New York". You cheap lousy slut, anyone?

I'm not expecting a full production of "Nymphs and Shepherds" but this is getting ridiculous. It seems not just a shame but a failure not to encourage music.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can broach the subject? I am a governor, but I am not in the inner circle, and have to struggle to get my points raised. I need to put it diplomatically, rather than coming across as an outraged snob.

Ooooh 2kidz I remember "the ink is black" - I innocently loved that song!
There was one about walking to school, the smell of bacon and hearing the milkman whistling

Those were the days - I loved school singing
I agree its very sad if kids dont get the opportunity to sing at school - Fircone I would definately complain if my kids were 'singing' sclub7 rubbish at school - tricky if there is no one to teach them to sing though I agree

Carol carol gaily anyone?

Erm lest see

The fairytail of New York song features affectionate teasing not genuine name calling.

Plus do you want kids into music or not?

Many dont want sappy stuff and forever put off music by being made to play wussy nurdie instruments like the recorder or triangle as opposed to meaty instruments like the electric guitar.

Thinking more secondary school here though.

Id pick songs that get kids feeling that are inspirational

'affectionate teasing not genuine name calling'

So the use of 'faggot' and 'slut' is just a bit of joshing?

I agree those words are used in that song as 'affectionate teasing' but if my son were to sing that at achool he would more than likely come home and say

"Mum are you a lasy faggot?"
"Or a slut?"

Hardly what a school should be teaching!!!!

Fircone, there is only one answer. Move to Wales forthwith, and send your child to a Category A (Welsh medium) school.

Every Welsh school choir that I have heard is startlingly (and I mean really startlingly) good, and the songs are Heritage and Part of the Welsh Culture, and hence A Good Thing. In fact, I suspect any teacher venturing near DD's school with a pop music CD in hand would be shot at dawn. The children all seem genuinely enthusiastic in their singing too.

You might like to look at this whilst on the subject of singing in schools - my DD sang at the O2 last year in Young Voices concert - It was breathtaking!

I love Fairytale of New York, but I'd be horrified if I had to sit and watch my DCs singing 'Happy Christmas your arse, I pray God it's our last.'

Does that make me Mary Whitehouse?

You're right OurLady - she sang "sing"!
ARe you still at bbc wales?

No, I left there erm 21 years ago.

YANBU.DS1 was disgusted when they had to do bits from High School Musical in some of their lessons.He couldn't understand it...then again he likes lots of different music from classical to Nirvana.Maybe they should balance it?

lolol @ "affectionate teasing not genuine name calling."

what sort of affectionate nicknames do you have in yout house?

lolol

Fircone, I think you are absolutely right to take as stand. It sounds disgraceful that the music and drama room is not being used and even more disgraceful if the head is saying "there's no time in the curriculum" for music.

I'm sure there has been research recently showing the positive effects of music learning on children's cognitive development. If you could dig something like this out perhaps it might carry some weight in persuading the head/governors to get a decent music teacher into the school.

If they won't make time in the school day, would it be worth trying to get someone in to do music in an after school club? Might be a start.

Hope you get somewhere with this.

My daughter's school doesn't have a choir. I'm going to offer to run one, either as an after school club, or for the whole of KS2 and part of their curriculum. It's a small school - only 5 teachers, and none of them is a musician.

I've run choirs in 4 different schools now, and consider singing to be vital in chidren's emotional and physical well-being.

Takver if they sang SFA songs in Welsh schools I'd be seriously tempted to send DD there

I agree (as an English incomer living in Torfaen) that you can't beat a bit of Calon Lan etc.

So what's happened to the Government's ' Sing Up' campaign which is supposed to bring singing into every primary school? By singing I exclude the shouting which often passes for 'singing' in far too many schools. Howard Goodall is fronting the campaign ( or was) though, as usual, not enough funding was given.

It's sad how few children learn to sing properly nowadays and how many teachers are just embarrassed to even try. Singing is such a fun thing to do and very satisfying, especially when you're challenged with something a bit different. Properly taught singing can be a revelation to many children.

Yeah, bring back Singing Together! Or an equivalent - what I remeber about it was a mixture of songs and the anticipation each week: when will we get to sing the good one and oh bum here comes the crap one again - (being entirely a matter of personal taste). I thoroughly agree about school music being a matter of introducing DC to music they wouldn't necessarily otherwise hear, as well.

Ideally children should be learning about all kinds of music, from a variety of ages and cultures. This could include folk songs (Scarborough Fair etc.), classical music (e.g. Carnival of the Animals, Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra), stage musicals (they could sing songs from Cats, Joseph etc.), music from other countries (too many to mention), modern pop music (current hits), older pop music (jazz, blues, Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel). There is a wealth of music out there, available for children to sing and learn about.

gawd i loved singing

'far round the world thy children sing their songs, from east and west their voices sweetly blend'

i would be livid fircone

Ds has just sung Calon Lan (in NZ - they had a welsh teacher for a while and took advantage of her to help teach the children the pronunciation) he has also sung a piece in Swahili.

They do have an NZ equivalent of singing together called SING! which comes with a CD - photocopiable pages with info about the songs and also piano chords (I would prefer a complete piano score but ho hum) everything from songs from the musicals to pop songs from the 1960s, 70s and 80s to songs about the environment, songs from around the world. You get one each year and it's got enough songs to do a new one each week. Over time schools build up a massive library of songs suitable for assemblies and plays.

If little old NZ can do it (actually I think it's Australian - but even so our combined population is less than half that of Britain) then surely your Ministry of Education could put something in all classrooms.

If I remember a Fairytail in new york features a couple teasing each other so the name calling is not done in spite.

But teachers should point out normally these words are mean.

But other than that many are put off music as in scholl its all the pathetic sissy recorder and triangle p;aying as opposed to starting a heavey metal band, or rock band with stage divers, or dj hip hop group or something fun, expressive and balsey.

Though this notion applies more to secondary school.

There are plenty of songs to pick and you can point out that more grown up songs are how males and females express their virillity and feelings and impress the opposite sex hence it peaking in late teens and that as primary school kids they are still kids so get it toned down a bit. More fun

• By abra1d Fri 28-Aug-09 21:20:44 Add a message | Report post | Contact poster

'affectionate teasing not genuine name calling'

So the use of 'faggot' and 'slut' is just a bit of joshing? *

Like most things it depends on context.

Ie if your best mate has just slept with the guy she has been after for ages and is on the we just made love high mates especailly a gay mate may tease a little saying

'You slut girrrrl you been a bad bad girlie last night havn't you?'

No nastiness there as tongue in cheek and done in a pat on the back go girl manner.

As opposed to you filthy slutz god burns the wicked you whore

Intended to be mean

• By Pandoraneedsbugs Fri 28-Aug-09 21:30:21 Add a message | Report post | Contact poster

I agree those words are used in that song as 'affectionate teasing' but if my son were to sing that at achool he would more than likely come home and say

"Mum are you a lasy faggot?"
"Or a slut?"

Hardly what a school should be teaching!!!! *

Actually said school should explain what the terms imply and how that in most uses they are used in a mean and nasty manner but show how in the context both parties know they are just messing around but that its important that both sides know you are messing around.

Ie use the situation to explain things

• By Doobydoo Fri 28-Aug-09 22:05:32 Add a message | Report post | Contact poster

YANBU.DS1 was disgusted when they had to do bits from High School Musical in some of their lessons.He couldn't understand it...then again he likes lots of different music from classical to Nirvana.Maybe they should balance it? *

Ok I can understand the issues with the FTINY faggot and slut terms but High School Musical?

You having a laugh?

What on earth is wrong with that?

Just teenagers having fun with mates getting into music and falling in love with the added bonus that the leading characters ended up a real couple and before you start going off on Vanessa Hugens 'photo collection'

I would have pointed out to a kid that vanessa and Zac are a real couple and not little kids and that means they kiss and make out and also make love and its normal for both guys and girls to want to tease and enoucourage and turn on their partner so they think their partner is pretty, hunky, hot and want to come over and snuggle with them.

Sex and relationship should start age 5 weekly ans when teaching it in the context of reltionships its easy to point out that said nude photos where just a normal way young women (and men)are saying hey hot stuff your girl/boyfriend wants you to come over for some snuggling

And Sunggling with somone you love is great WHEN OLDER NOT NOW

If that was what you were refering to but if its the movie ... come on its Disney for fk sake

• By OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper Fri 28-Aug-09 21:43:59 Add a message | Report post | Contact poster

I love Fairytale of New York, but I'd be horrified if I had to sit and watch my DCs singing 'Happy Christmas your arse, I pray God it's our last.'

Does that make me Mary Whitehouse? *

Kids like naughty stuff... Did you not have songs like

Build a bonfire , build a bonfire , put the teachers on the top , put (most mean teacher) in the middle and burn the expletive lot.

or songs about other icky stuff especailly if it winds up grown ups?

• By Doobydoo Fri 28-Aug-09 22:05:32 Add a message | Report post | Contact poster

YANBU.DS1 was disgusted when they had to do bits from High School Musical in some of their lessons.He couldn't understand it...then again he likes lots of different music from classical to Nirvana.Maybe they should balance it? *

Actually rock, metal, grunge etc ie Nirvanna is a great thing for kids to get into as despite those subcultures looking a bit shocking with coloured hair and halloween t shirts etc.

There are virtually no if any fights in rock nightclubs, no gang nonsense, nobody cares about turf or respect... if people bump into you on the dance floor its just boumcy dancing time, everyone looks out for everyone else, no much drinking and very little if any drug use...

Pretty much the safest nightclubs you can get with the best attitudes.

its gangsta rap, grime, hip hop, garage music and some really nasty jamacan anti gay music that I would worry about due to its promotion of extrem violence, bling, gang attiudes, thugs isim etc