Psalms in School Choir

[Reflection]

So, definitely not for the first time, a student in my choir raised their hand one day and said they didn't feel like singing one of our pieces. It's Psalm 150, by Benjamin Britten, an accomplished, award-winning composer. This was also going to be accompanied by a small band/orchestra ensemble. I was going to be violin 1 on it.

The student got upset that it said praise God, etc, in it and told her parents, and the parents told the school board and now we aren't doing it anymore.

Personally I think you can't expect to not sing stuff like that when choral music originated in the church. And most great composers wrote famous pieces as masses or with text from the Bible or whatever. Handel's Messiah, anyone?

College choirs do stuff like this all the time, it's no problem at all.
So why can't I?

At some point, I think we have to realize that doing that is preventing people from developing an appreciation for certain pieces and getting a full musical education just because one person is "offended".

Opinions on this?
Or am I just butthurt because I practiced that violin solo for months? :P

[Smile]

I can personally relate to the hurt of practicing a piece for so long, only to never get to play it. *misses her French Horn </3*

I guess I can't relate fully because I was only part of a band, lacking a choir but I do see the dilemma here. On one hand, I can understand the kid not wanting to sing it... on the other hand that's the minority forcing its views on the majority here :( if they have a problem with only one line in one song, they can be excused from it or from the times they sing that on stage. It's their 'damage', in a way.
What about all the kids who do believe in God and are now offended that something they approve of was removed? You need to know where to cross the line, and I don't think they made the right choice here :\

[Aucune Raison]

It's true that there are some wonderful songs that involve religion. But, not all of them are Christian, but those are the only ones that are allowed to be sung in schools, besides maybe "Dredel, dredel, dredel".

Imagine if a music teacher found an Islamic song that included "Praise Allah"? A lot of parents would be outraged.

So, either accept all religions or none at all.

[Dogenzaka]

It's true that there are some wonderful songs that involve religion. But, not all of them are Christian, but those are the only ones that are allowed to be sung in schools, besides maybe "Dredel, dredel, dredel".

Imagine if a music teacher found an Islamic song that included "Praise Allah"? A lot of parents would be outraged.

So, either accept all religions or none at all.

True, though I can see why there's a bias to it considering this country was founded by Christians...plus things like African Americans singing hymns and stuff as they escaped to encourage them, etc.; Christianity is a huge part of the nation's history.

Islam, is not.

Hence why if I went to Iran or India and started singing Christian hymns in the school choirs there, I would probably be shot or hanged. Not part of the nation's culture or history.

Personally I think you can't expect to not sing stuff like that when choral music originated in the church.

This is very true. Why the heck would you think about joining choir when you KNOW these kinds of songs are gonna pop up?
I for one really enjoy Christmas choir recitals.

[Aucune Raison]

The US was founded by deists, so that's a bad argument.

I will agree that people who join the choir should know that it has strong Christian influences, that much is true.

The compromise should be that the student doesn't have to sing the "Praise God" line, I suppose.

[Reflection]

That's what it started out as, the girl just didn't sing that line.

But then when she announced it to the whole choir at least 10 more people said they agreed with her, and a whole trend started, along with other stupid arguments popping up like "it sounds scary!"
It's called harmonic dissonance. >_>

Maybe this wouldn't have happened if our director wasn't such a pushover.

[Aucune Raison]

If people were hiding that they were uncomfortable with it they had legitimate claims, but of course there are the others that didn't care but decided to join the crowd.

You do seem a bit pissed about this, haha.

[Forever Atlas]

I hope those same people do not celebrate holidays (yes while pagan in origin) that are supposed to be Christian holidays.

[Massive Attack]

do lux aeterna by gyorgy ligeti instead.

[Gildragon]

I think anyone who joins a school choir should EXPECT to sing some Christian themed music. Its not like your going through worship hour. your just sining. In my choir we had several very firm atheists who would actually get solos in some of these "Christian" songs. If you are going to be in any kind of performance you need to be able to get out of your comfort zone, and if you won't sing a song in a group just because you don't happen to agree with the song (Religious or not) you either shouldn't be in the group, or not sing.

(coming from a background in singing these kinds of songs.)

They don't typically have all that strong a message in them. maybe a Bible verse here and there.

[Phoenix]

While a lot of you make good arguments, if any one of you would refuse to say "Hail Satan" in a school choir, then you should understand where the kid's coming from.

However, if you know your choir is going to sing Christian songs beforehand, you'd be an idiot to join if you didn't want to sing Christian songs.

[Gildragon]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

While a lot of you make good arguments, if any one of you would refuse to say "Hail Satan" in a school choir, then you should understand where the kid's coming from.

However, if you know your choir is going to sing Christian songs beforehand, you'd be an idiot to join if you didn't want to sing Christian songs.

if its in a song.
I'd be willing to play a murderer in a show where the murderer ends up winning.

Because I'm not actually murdering. A recital of a song with the words Hail satan or hail Jesus, shouldn't make a difference.

Edit:

btw. I do find that most high school choirs sing Christian related choral music.
there's a lot of it, and it sounds good. it should be expected that if you are in one. you will sing at least one song that talks about God in some form

[Phoenix]

Because I'm not actually murdering. A recital of a song with the words Hail satan or hail Jesus, shouldn't make a difference.

Very good, I commend you. However, some Christians would take exception. Likewise, this kid took exception.

Reflection, I'm curious. You guys practiced a lot, so why the hell did the kid wait so long to voice his objections?

[Gildragon]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Very good, I commend you. However, some Christians would take exception. Likewise, this kid took exception.

Its these kinds of people that shouldn't perform. If they can't get out of their comfort zone for something like that. they won't be able to later. or at least. they won't be any good. unless they participate in something that is exclusivley within their boundary

[Reflection]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Reflection, I'm curious. You guys practiced a lot, so why the hell did the kid wait so long to voice his objections?

*her

No idea. Part of me thinks they were just trying to do it to piss off the director, because he kind of sucked. We have a new one this semester, and guess what? We had 4 psalms, and lol yes, Massive Attack, even a Lux Aeterna, except it wasn't the Ligeti, lol. She sang them without questioning.
Bullshit.

I've joined some better ensembles since then, so I'm done complaining. Haha.