The Choir

Its the talking that bugs me! When she who is in charge is talking to one of the other parts, the sopranos in particular are very talkative. I think it is polite to keep quiet and listen.

I am so envious of those of you who can sing, it is such a wonderful talent to have. I can't sing at all and I would love to be able to do it.

A very common problem with choirs nellie - a challenge for the director believe me!

I get sad when every programme gets reduced to a competition...."and who is going to be kicked out this week?.........( at least 2 minutes!).....it's so-and-so".....close-up to catch the tears!! oh per-lease!

We need some programmes without this stuff - and Gareth's used to be one of them - but sadly no more.

God forbid any one ever asks me again to sing that military wives choir one "Where ever you are" again or "The rose" or "You raise me up".

We have done some quite jazzy ones at our community choir which have been fun. Les Mis is irresitible.

Trouble is with this choir most of the sopranoes should be alto's and only like singing the tune. They get an attack of the vapours if asked to sing in harmony as a soprano.

The singers in the choir I run and the huge 250-strong choir in the community choirs project are at least 60% non-music readers and all the teaching and learning is by ear. All the music stacked up in my music room is learnable by ear - honest! - it would not be there if it was not easy!

I have no idea why they insist on choosing soloists - it is so divisive. I am guessing that it is thought to give the whole programme more audience appeal. The producers like to build up the tension and hopefully make someone cry!

The Natural Vice (oops, sorry, meant to type Voice!) movement is quite brilliant - and it is for everyone to enjoy even ninathenanna.

Singing is soooo good for you! Releases happy chemicals, improves the breathing, exercises the mind and makes friends - can't go wrong really!

Yes there has to be more to it than this. I think he is getting much tougher on sound quality etc.

He seemed to start off with just getting people singing for pleasure.

I wonder if the producers are scared of tackling the good "classical" choral music repertoire and singing style because it might put off viewers. If so that is a pity. They could probably get a group to a good choral standard if they tried. If you don't challenge people with different music they will never get a chance of liking it.

I don't think much of either soloist. Did that girl really do classical singing training ??
The ex chorister seemed unable to relax to sing in a manner that required anything emotive, which is probably down to his initial training.

I will probably still watch it though. It beats "you've been framed."

I bow to your expertise Mishap
Do you think the soloists are a required element of the competition, and that your vast library of music may be a bit tricky for first timers?
I ask out of genuine interest and not with any criticism of your comments.

I love singing, unfortunately no one loves listening to me

I agree re the competitive aspect. I belonged to one once that was in that kind of scene - but it is not mine. My new one is part of the Natural Voice approach and is non competitive and inclusive. I tried Rock Choir once for a term. They too are keen on soloists and that was quite painful as the individuals bravely giving it a go sang flat and that grates upon my ears like a knife on a blackboard.
But the soloists thing helps to make an hour's TV programme of it.
I liked the one he did in the boys school best of all (ahhhhhh)

As someone who runs a choir and community choirs events, it is a delight to see people being encouraged to enjoy singing - and you can see how very good it is for them. Singing is for everyone and anything that encourages that gets my vote.

But.......I deeply dislike the competitive element - this is totally unnecessary and is purely for TV producers, who believe that we cannot enjoy something without that. We need to let them know that they are wrong - we are bigger than that.

I also dislike the way he feels the need to have soloists - this too is unnecessary and pointless and it simply a way of adding another competitive element, rather than helping people to pull together to make a beautiful sound and share he joy that this brings.

And his choice of music is pretty banal - I have shelves full of the most wonderful choir music ranging from African chants to Mozart, from Beatles to swing - all of them much better than the pap that he feeds these singers.

But if it gets people singing and counters the idea that choirs are just for the middle classes ad musically educated, then bring it on.

I am a very poor singer, but I do love to see the enjoyment that others get from singing and am a great supporter of our local gospel choir. I get tremendous pleasure from watching The Choir and doubt if I would ever tire of it. It's ironic really as I rarely listen to music on the radio or CD.

I just wonder if it's one series too many?