In the week just past (July, 25-30) the BBC in the program "Choir" documents Northholt High School, a Baccalaureate with Technical College, as Gareth Malone recruits 25 students to be Britain's entry into the China World Choir Olympics. Northholt High School was described by Malone as a choir singing alien school.
When Malone addressed the students they were skeptical. If you watched the video clip and focused on the young man who did the opening solo, I am sure it was he, back in 2006 when the documentary was done, who said, "choir singing is for people in posh schools who played a lot of classical music and played violins and so forth.." A girl who in the beginning was very plain, timid, seemingly almost afraid of her shadow, said, "choir singing is for old, posh, or boring people."
The tryouts began and they were awkward to say the least. Maybe to us, but out of the 120 students who showed up to tryout, he was able to see the potential he was looking for in his starting 25.
Thus began the task of shaping a cohesive group of singers out of kids who had never had the chance to sing together, or it seemed to do anything together.
One of the first signs of trouble was absenteeism. The worst offender was Chloe. Malone locates her and questions her about her attendance and attitude and persuades her to rejoin the group.
At one point the young man who sang the solo in the video clip of Hallelujah broke, stormed out of rehearsal and slammed the door.
He takes them into the studio to record their CD. He admits they aren't ready, but the group does its best, the CD is cut and mailed along with the entry form. A three month wait ensues.
Of course they are selected to represent Great Britain.
The students are in awe when they arrive in China. But when they see and hear the competition they begin to wilt. It isn't until they are on the bus to their performance and one of the members takes the bus microphone and gives an impromptu speech ending with "formost of all we do for ourselves!" They sing and do well, but with virtually every nation on earth represented there can be four choirs advanced to the final level. They are not among the four.
A year later Gareth Malone and the BBC crew revisit Northholt High School to see what affect the experience has had on the 25 choir members.
Chloe, the shy, girl is shown applying a touch of makeup to her now radiant face and well groomed hair. She is on her way to present a Power Point presentation to a community group. The clip of her presentation shows a poised young woman, who speaks knowledgeably and without hesitation to an adult group.
Several of the choir members have sought singing outlets of their own in community choirs, church choirs, and in one case his own band. Others expressed a new appreciation for music in general and including classical. Several students changed their course of study to advance on to the University system rather than enter the adjoining technical college.
The level of camaraderie and friendship was still high a year later. The choir met with Malone and for old time's sake they sang their signature Simon and Garfunkle song, "Bridge over Trouble Waters." During the singing, Malone picked on a couple of individuals to sing solo, including Cloe, who sounded like an angel.
I thought the hour long show was great. The concept is interesting. This week, (First week in August). Malone goes to a different school, forms a different choir to compete in a different competition.
His point is that every child should sing in a choir. I think that could be expanded to ...play in a band... be on a team.
In my book The Ruin, the main character has to re-build his self-esteem on his own. It was a different time and a different place. Students now are attending schools which once had music, choirs, bands, teams. And now for various reasons those are the first things cut when there is a crunch. Maybe in a world such as we have right now, those should be the last things to be cut.
Respectfully,
Kenneth Fenter
The tryouts began and they were awkward to say the least. Maybe to us, but out of the 120 students who showed up to tryout, he was able to see the potential he was looking for in his starting 25.
Thus began the task of shaping a cohesive group of singers out of kids who had never had the chance to sing together, or it seemed to do anything together.
One of the first signs of trouble was absenteeism. The worst offender was Chloe. Malone locates her and questions her about her attendance and attitude and persuades her to rejoin the group.
At one point the young man who sang the solo in the video clip of Hallelujah broke, stormed out of rehearsal and slammed the door.
He takes them into the studio to record their CD. He admits they aren't ready, but the group does its best, the CD is cut and mailed along with the entry form. A three month wait ensues.
Of course they are selected to represent Great Britain.
The students are in awe when they arrive in China. But when they see and hear the competition they begin to wilt. It isn't until they are on the bus to their performance and one of the members takes the bus microphone and gives an impromptu speech ending with "formost of all we do for ourselves!" They sing and do well, but with virtually every nation on earth represented there can be four choirs advanced to the final level. They are not among the four.
A year later Gareth Malone and the BBC crew revisit Northholt High School to see what affect the experience has had on the 25 choir members.
Chloe, the shy, girl is shown applying a touch of makeup to her now radiant face and well groomed hair. She is on her way to present a Power Point presentation to a community group. The clip of her presentation shows a poised young woman, who speaks knowledgeably and without hesitation to an adult group.
Several of the choir members have sought singing outlets of their own in community choirs, church choirs, and in one case his own band. Others expressed a new appreciation for music in general and including classical. Several students changed their course of study to advance on to the University system rather than enter the adjoining technical college.
The level of camaraderie and friendship was still high a year later. The choir met with Malone and for old time's sake they sang their signature Simon and Garfunkle song, "Bridge over Trouble Waters." During the singing, Malone picked on a couple of individuals to sing solo, including Cloe, who sounded like an angel.
I thought the hour long show was great. The concept is interesting. This week, (First week in August). Malone goes to a different school, forms a different choir to compete in a different competition.
His point is that every child should sing in a choir. I think that could be expanded to ...play in a band... be on a team.
In my book The Ruin, the main character has to re-build his self-esteem on his own. It was a different time and a different place. Students now are attending schools which once had music, choirs, bands, teams. And now for various reasons those are the first things cut when there is a crunch. Maybe in a world such as we have right now, those should be the last things to be cut.
Respectfully,
Kenneth Fenter
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