I have just attended my grand daughter's end of year concert. It was most enjoyable and cleverly built around the theme of the Covid pandemic.
I am pleased to say the the standard of singing had vastly improved on the previous year's effort. Shouting is not singing.
As one who places a lot of credence in the value of the Performing Arts to help build self esteem I am always keen to promote excellence in whatever performance medium is used. It takes a lot of work to teach a child to sing with sweetness and clarity. The school choir at the recent concert was getting there but more training is needed. Being a co-ed primary (elementary) school I was disappointed at the few boys in the choir. There is nothing like a well trained boy soprano voice. I listened also for the descant applied during the performance, but sadly this was not forthcoming this year.
The school band was in tune and did a good job. I was pleased that a solo guitar was utilised to back one song with the young teenage guitarist executing brilliantly on his electric guitar.
Overall I worry that the modern pop/rock dominance in our society too strongly influences what schools do in the Performing Arts areas of song and dance. The more classical singing and dancing might be being pushed into the background. There needs to be a balance between the classic and the contemporary.
All hail the value of the Performing Arts in the development of the whole student.
May the Force be with us!
GD
