A woman is angry that her daughter was rejected from the school choir. On the popular online forum Mumsnet, the woman said that school choirs should be available for all students, as it's "harsh" to exclude children who want to join. However, many Mumsnet users thought it was a fair decision if her daughter wasn't a "great" singer.
As her child - who is in Year 7 - was "upset" and "embarrassed" about being rejected, the mother sought advice online. On the 'am I being unreasonable' thread, she wrote: "Just had DD [dear daughter] come in upset. It's quite random as it's the middle of the night and a weekend and we had a nice day today, told me she is still sad about how she is a bad singer and she doesn't want to see her music teacher as she is too embarrassed, etc.
"DD [dear daughter] tried out for the school choir which is done by audition so obviously she was aware there was some kind of judging involved and so was I but I do think rejecting a year 7 into something they are interested in trying is harsh, especially when it's hard enough for year 7s.
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"AIBU [am I being unreasonable] to think a school choir should just be for whoever is interested? When kids are all singing in a group they do sound the same anyway! Obviously, maybe solos could be kept for the particularly talented but I'm honestly just a bit sad and even annoyed."
Many Mumsnet users thought that it was a fair decision and a life lesson that children can't be good at everything. One woman said: "Auditions are to pick the best singers. Sorry, but it's a life lesson. She can't be good at everything."
Another added: "Rejection is a part of life, and it's a very valuable lesson. We can't always get what we want because we want it. This is when we learn to accept defeat or decide to try again. Your daughter could take vocal lessons or practice on her own until auditions come around again."
Others shared their experiences of "bad" singers in a choir. One commenter said: "I have an awful voice and no way should I be allowed to ruin a choir however much I want to join. I was pretty much told at primary school I was too bad- which I was."
Another added: "In our year 5 class one poor boy was told to just mime in the choir, he sounded so bad! In this case you are being unreasonable though. If you have to audition, a certain level is obviously required."
However, some felt that it was a school activity which should include everyone. One Mumjsnet user said: "A school choir should accept everyone! Gareth Malone wouldn’t tell an 11 year old they aren’t good enough. He’d teach them ways to improve."
Another said she agreed with the mother, adding: "I think it’s pretty awful to exclude kids from team sport too. If you can only take part when you are already good what hope do those who aren’t have of ever improving. You could let everyone train/practice sessions and pick the team/choir members for performances."
Do you agree with the mother and think all children should be allowed to sing in their school choir? Let us know in the comments below.
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