Getting lads to sing!

[petite joueuse]

Any one got any good ideas on this?

My boy loves singing and always gets involved in singing-things at school.......but he's still at primary.
When he transfers to secondary, I suspect singing will not be "cool" for boys.
How can I keep him singing? I don't want him to sing in the local high-anglican church (ruffles, choir-boys, no girls allowed because girls and women can't sing!! WHAT???)
The secondary school we think he'll go to is mixed......but I know they struggle to get boys to sing in the various singing groups they have.

Any ideas??

[plumdonut]

Often it depends on what songs are being sung. Both my brothers sang in the school choir and in school shows (after discovering that it was a good way of attracting female attention)

Our music teachers chose stuff that the pupils seemed to like and were receptive to requests - so all sorts of music from barbers shop quartets to Beatles songs.

I suppose what I mean is the more say pupils are given in the repertoire - if the teachers actually ask them if they're enjoying what they're doing - the more likely your son is to enjoy participating.

Does he have any favourite types of music/composers/performers that you could encourage him to request?

P

[Steve Hopwood]

In my experience, everything comes down to the enthusiasm of the school music teacher.

If this individual presents repertoire the kids want to sing, then they will do so. If not, they won't.

I know a great sec school mt who runs a fantastic choir. How receptive is yours to suggestions? If receptive, I can ask Angie for some suggestions.

Steve

[hoxie]

At our secondary school, lead singing for your own band is very 'cool' (with the 'guitar' gang of kids and the music teachers ) We have quite a few boys now singing with choir - I think almost all of the Bass section is made up of boys from our 6th form (all AS and A2 students are required to join one of the choirs for aural & ensemble skills) which has promoted it a bit!there are several other boys singing in tenors and altos (and I think there may even be a few in the soprano section...). The gospel singers group which ran for a few terms also drew in a few more boys.
I think it depends on the secondary school and the pupils and teachers there, but I would hold out some hope - there are schools where boys can keep singing!
hoxie
xxx

[petite joueuse]

Well we had the mass concert at my school last night - choir of about 60, of which 15 were boys! Brilliant! Just hope the experience doesn't fade over the summer hols - I need them all back in September!

[jod]

Singing is a major part of family life in our home, with the kids singing whilst I play the piano, plus its my job! I know my boys are only 5 and 7, but I'm hoping that they just feel that singing is such a normal and natural thing to do, that they don't go off it.

I'd happily entertain a group of their friends and have jamming sessions at home when they are older!