The Choir - now shorter

[ardcarp]

Mrs CS is a dedicated primary music teacher. I stand in awe of her dedication and determination. All children sing in the Juniors and she is at last getting access to the infant classes to introduce them to group singing instead of whatever their teachers previously used to tick the box of music. (And BTW she used wider opportunities and still does, to launch instrumental (class only) learning to Year 4 with 70% of children continuing with their own/rented instruments thereafter). A group of boys who landed in a state secondary school thought it the most natural thing to join the choir, to the astonishment of the music teacher there (not sure if they are still singing, though).

he children are very enthusiastic about singing. When pop cantata fare is imposed, they say quite clearly its not as good as the carols they sang the year before.... But its entirely dependant on the teacher and the Head's consent (I'd be surprised if any set of governors were pro-active enough to demand better music provision in a primary school; parents in state schools - well, they don't quite have the influence that paying fees gives those in the independent schools so their influence is weak as well).

But all of Mrs CS's efforts are dependant on the head teacher. They come and go, often they are not up to much and each one needs to be convinced that music, and school concerts and the other disruptions to the timetable, are worthwhile. The best she hopes for is that the Head leaves her to get on with the music but often their first instinct is not to support her efforts (they have no feeling for non pop/rock music; "its elitist", no doubt other reasons).

Firstly, good on you, Mrs Sparrow! We need more determined pioneers like you. Secondly, the rest of the tale (pop, headteachers, elitism, etc) is the norm, I am afraid.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Surprised to hear about Headteachers needing to be persuaded of the need for school concerts etc - in all my time as a HoD, the only time a Head came to talk to me was when some razzmatazz was wanted for a Parents'/Open Evening, visit by some "dignitary", press release, HMI visit or similar. They couldn't get enough of the Department then - couldn't give anything at all at other times.

[Gabriel Jackson]

Is it correct that in Latvia, Estonia, maybe Lithuania, singing -although it had its undoubted merits in itself - became an area of cultural resistance to the Soviet Union? Where language and culture could be enthusiastically celebrated and excluding their Soviet masters? In any case, its great that they have a strong culture.

It is. The massive song festivals that started in the 19th century continued under the Soviet occupation but the content was strictly controlled. Singing banned patriotic songs towards the end of the eighties were immensely empowering acts of defiance. Singing played a big role in consciousness-raising in all three countries. Juris Podnieks' documentary film Krustceļš (Homeland), about the 'Singing Revolution' is well worth tracking down - it juxtaposes footage of the Song Festivals with other acts of resistannce. In an extraordinary postlude, cameramen Andris Slapins and Gvido Zvaigzne are shot by Soviet snipers and we hear Slapins cry "Keep filming" as he lies dying.
Here is a little extract from the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2SvhDY23So

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In 1984 -

Headmaster: Well, Mr Alpensinfonie, that was a splendid school concert. Choirs, orchestras, small groups and soloists were all excellent. Well done. I'd say it was the best school concert we've ever had.*

E.A: Thank you. It's always hard work, but we do have a committed group of teachers and the parents are very supportive.

Headnaster: There have been some complaints from some of your colleagues about the disruption to normal schooling in the run-up to the concerts.

E.A: Yes, I can appreciate that, but they seem to like the way it boosts the reputation of the school.

Headmaster: Yes, but some are critical of the style of music you seem to concentrate on? My son likes Queen, and I must say I've heard some of it, and it's quite good. They've been using it at his school.

E.A: (On very safe ground) And how would you assess the musical reputation of your son's school?

Headmaster: Er... well...



(*An uncritical ear. He said this after every concert.)

[ardcarp]

In 1984 -

Headmaster: Well, Mr Alpensinfonie, that was a splendid school concert. Choirs, orchestras, small groups and soloists were all excellent. Well done. I'd say it was the best school concert we've ever had.*

E.A: Thank you. It's always hard work, but we do have a committed group of teachers and the parents are very supportive.

Headnaster: There have been some complaints from some of your colleagues about the disruption to normal schooling in the run-up to the concerts.

E.A: Yes, I can appreciate that, but they seem to like the way it boosts the reputation of the school.

Headmaster: Yes, but some are critical of the style of music you seem to concentrate on? My son likes Queen, and I must say I've heard some of it, and it's quite good. They've been using it at his school.

E.A: (On very safe ground) And how would you assess the musical reputation of your son's school?

Headmaster: Er... well...



(*An uncritical ear. He said this after every concert.)

you have to laugh...it's so true.

[ardcarp]

My grand-daughetr (one of the many) recently sang Lascia ch'io pianga (complete with ornamented da capo) at a school concert otherwise dominated by rock bands and what passes for singing amongst teenagers these days. The audience loved it and gave her a big cheer....so pearls before swine can work....

[Oldcrofter]

Maybe this is what the Head wanted, Alpie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=babpG1rj4LY

[Cockney Sparrow]

Ah yes, requests for popular/rock songs to be sung. Very few musically translate to a Primary school choir, even less when you consider the exposure to the lyrics involved.

Headteacher "Will that be the sort of music they hear when they are going around the supermarket?"

Teacher (thought bubble - certainly not - over my dead body!) "Let me get the music together and play it through so you can hear what I'm talking about...."

[DracoM]

OMG, don't say it out loud to anyone - some perusing HM might think it's a fantastic idea, go to his / her Head of Music and say..........I've just had a fantastic idea, - suppose we......!!

Trinity sing it absolutely beautifully, but, admit it, it's totally, even risibly unidiomatic! It's meant to be ROCK, with all the improvisational additions / slides, truncations, note-bending that that genre implies. Oh dear.

[ardcarp]

Bit like the BBCS singing Tea for Two the other day.

Ducks for cover

[Stanfordian]

Surprised to hear about Headteachers needing to be persuaded of the need for school concerts etc - in all my time as a HoD, the only time a Head came to talk to me was when some razzmatazz was wanted for a Parents'/Open Evening, visit by some "dignitary", press release, HMI visit or similar. They couldn't get enough of the Department then - couldn't give anything at all at other times.

Hiya Ferney,

Clearly depends on the school. My old school during my years there put virtually nothing on. Oh, I remember for the last day of summer term they put on the Morecambe and Wise film 'That Riviera Touch' and the same film again the next year. That was it!

A few years later at my old school a new teacher started with an interest in drama and Stephen Tompkinson became his protege. Now he's not done half bad for roles! Remember him as 'Coco The Scab' with the big clown's feet in 'Brassed Off'.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Hiya Ferney,

Clearly depends on the school. My old school during my years there put virtually nothing on. Oh, I remember for the last day of summer term they put on the Morecambe and Wise film 'That Riviera Touch' and the same film again the next year.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A few years later at my old school a new teacher started with an interest in drama and Stephen Tompkinson became his protege. Now he's not done half bad for roles! Remember him as 'Coco The Scab' with the big clown's feet in 'Full Monty'.

Wasn't that Brassed Off?

[Stanfordian]

Wasn't that Brassed Off?

Of course it was! 'Brassed Off' not 'Full Monty'. Silly me! I have greatly enjoyed both films several times.