Save The School Choir! You Need It!

There has been a lot of talk about the need for good musical programs. In fact, Nicola Benneti, an award-winning violist, argues that all youngsters should be exposed to classical music, regardless of whether they want to. Saying the concept of letting children do exactly what they want in other areas of education is “alien”, she admitted she is “bemused” by the current approach to teaching art and culture. “It actually really upsets me when people say: ‘Kids hate listening to a symphony, why would we do that to them?’” ...“I think, hang on a minute, if you were to turn round and say to a kids: ‘Would you like to play video games or would you like to have a maths lesson?’ Of course, they’re going to go for the video games.” Via The Telegraph She reasons that in other areas of education, the idea that children can do exactly what they want is non-existent and ‘alien’. The child’s approval is not sought when talking about math, science, history of English. But when music is being discussed, there seems to be a need to expose children to it only when they instantly love it. As a result, it’s the children that miss out on all the benefits that classical music has to offer. “You’re not just developing concentration and focus in order to try to understand the music,” she said. “You are also getting something that has life lessons, has beauty, has uplift and joy and sorrow and tragedy – all the things that you will have to deal with in your life at some point.” Via The Telegraph On his part, Jonathan Leigh demonstrates how the influence of music is particularly vital in today’s pressured world. He argues that this influence is hidden in its immediate and durable impact. Leigh takes the example of choirs, describing how their key feature is their diversity. They can represent both genders, any age or nationality, irrespective of background. The only requirement is a willingness to cast shyness aside and sing. Through osmosis the confidence needed to partake grows "within" every eager participant. All differences are buried in a sublime recognition of the immediate present and what is actually happening now, not some life affecting distant target. Via The Telegraph He further argues that these benefits are immeasurable, but are instantly recognizable in a good choir that naturally appeals to an audience. This in spite of the fact that singing is often considered ‘uncool’. In a more ethereal sense, singing is an influence for a lifetime. Sometimes it has been derided as not cool but the real truth is that it is something beyond and altogether different; a gift from nowhere. Via The Telegraph He also describes singing, when well rehearsed, as the ultimate in sustained concentration. This is a skill that is particularly lacking in today’s world, where there is a greater tendency toward multitasking, rushing and stressed over-communication. Our great national heritage of singing is an enterprise too easily derided. [...]

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