Despite worries and concerns that it is becoming an obsolete activity.
Contemporary instances of it occurring just seem different because, well, it's not a group of people gathered around the campfire, piano, whatever lifting their voices in song.
Community singing today is usually spontaneous.
It just happens.
Every time I hear the audience singing along with a performer it gives me chills and just makes me stop what I doing to enjoy the moment.
I think of those audience members.
Some love to sing and sing all the time.
Some shouldn't be singing (if you know what I mean) and yet they sing anyway.
Some profess to HATE singing yet they occasionally (often) are caught up in the singing.
Why?
Because singing together with a group of friends and/or strangers gives such a sense of peace and connection.
Singing does that.
This post was prompted by a video I ran across today of Taylor Swift and Idina Menzel singing the song that everyone loves to hate. It really needs no introduction.
Yet, this is not the only example.
What about this:
And apparently I am not the only one to be moved by community singing. Here Beyonce seems thrilled as the audience takes over the song and she can catch her breath.
And then there's this. Who hasn't stood united in victory at some sporting event and sung along to this song?
These are just a few examples.
Think about it.
When was the last time that you lifted up your voice to sing along with a group of people who were mostly strangers?
And next time, when you have the opportunity, just go ahead and
Very rarely am I compelled to write immediately after reading/seeing something.
Today is the exception.
There is a musical reality show called "The X Factor" which, like "American Idol," has shows in different countries all over the world.
While I have watched American Idol I have not watched The X Factor so I cannot really say much about the show.
I do know both shows have judges who critique aspiring singers.
Most singers do understand that by going to auditions and perhaps making it to the actual show their singing will be criticized.
This is sometimes difficult for those singers whose families and friends have been telling them for years what WONDERFUL singers they are all their lives when in reality they are not very good at all.
Criticism comes with the territory of the music business.
This is a given.
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Early on I did watch American Idol - the Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson seasons.
I admired the usually constructive criticism that the 3 judges would mete out.
Simon Cowell would always get boos for his comments, but professionally/musically-speaking he was often dead on with his critique.
While he did lack tact many times, his critiques - though seemingly harsh - were usually music-based, not personal attacks.
Sure, he made comments about someone's appearance or weight, but in the music business those, sadly, are a reality.
[Sometimes I long for the early day of radio when musicians were lauded for their voice and their abilities because appearances were not relevant.
I was just commenting about a radio host's appearance on a TV news channel and how coiffed he looked for, stereotypically, radio personalities are not concerned about appearances.]
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Today I read about two judges, a husband and wife team, who had been fired from their jobs judging New Zealand's show of the X Factor.
The two have been accused of bullying the contestant. Calls for their firing swamped the TV network that broadcast the show which, in turn, called for their removal by the production company.
The article quoted excerpts of each one's critique of a contestant. Though the excerpts seemed harsh I, wanting to give the benefit of the doubt, wanted to see them within the context of when they occurred so I turned to my trusty friend Youtube.
The video below is what I found. What do you think?
As for me I am HORRIFIED and SICKENED by how they attacked the singer.
And I'm just watching a video after the fact.
I felt the singer handled himself quite well during the onslaught. As incredulous as I felt watching the video I cannot imagine being the one standing there at that moment.
The video does not include the singing, but regardless of how the singer sounded, a professional, competent judge should never respond the way these two judges did.
The old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." is not always possible in the role of judge.
However, there are ways to get one's point across without overstepping the boundaries of professional criticism.
These two - who I won't mention here because they do not deserve any further publicity - went too far.
The singer - oh, his name is Joseph Irvine.
You can see his audition for The X Factor here.
This makes me think that his performance was probably quite passable.
[You'll also note that the same judges who tore him apart in the first video actually gushed about him over and over in this video.
That also sickened me.]
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I do not believe a person should be led on to believing they have talent when it is lacking, but I do believe there are kinder, gentler ways to impart negative critiques.
These judges showed how NOT to critique a performer.
A friend has a photography studio named "Joyful Expressions." Seeing this run through the newsfeed made me think about the phrase in terms of singing, not photography (though it most definitely applies there as well).
How often do you sing?
Me, I tend to sing a good part of the day.
Alone and with others.
A varied repertoire of music.
*smile*
(An ever so gentle nod to the National Standards of Music Education.)
But I digress ...
How often do you sing without really realizing the meaning of the words you are saying?
I know I don't always pay attention to the words I'm singing.
Sometimes I have to catch myself upon the realization that the words might not be something I would want to be singing.
Oops!
I wonder if those celebrities who sing concerts every day actually sing with expression and meaning or do the songs, after a while, just become an act?
Makes you think, huh?
Does it make you rethink the money you spend on their concerts?
I imagine not for, after all, they put on a good show.
Even if it is just an act.
Today I watched two men sing with joyful expressions. I was close enough to see it in their facial expressions and in their eyes.
They made me want to sing along.
So I did.
Regardless of when or where you next sing, think about what you are singing.
Think about the words.
And maybe, just maybe, your joyful expression will encourage someone else to sing along!
There was once a day that if music was to be a part of your daily life, it had to be homemade.
Young people today can't imagine not being able to log-on, hook up, or turn up their music. However this, mere listening, does not require "homemade music."
*I* can't remember a time when I couldn't turn it on (be it the radio or record player) to listen to music.
But, once there was a time when, if you wanted music, you had to create it yourself.
Homemade music.
And it is not as long ago as the Renaissance period (1450-1600). During this time people were expected to be able to contribute musically to the evening's entertainment. If unable to do so they quite possibly were not invited to social gatherings.
Where would you stand if this was the policy today?
Would you like it if you were only invited to people's houses based on whether you could sing or play an instrument?
How would you rate?
I imagine some would be left at home.
Fast forward a couple centuries.
During the 1800s it was a status symbol to own a piano. It wasn't just for show or as a dust collector as often happens today. It was played. Children and young ladies were tutored in the playing of music, if not on the piano then on some other appropriate instrument.
Fast forward to the 20th century.
I have heard those in their 70s and older remark about the times when they gathered around the piano and just sang the evening away.
I can't imagine a more glorious way to spend time with friends and family.
When's the last time you've done that?
Never?
I don't imagine you're alone in that response.
Sad.
I would like to see a revival of homemade music.
I would like to see people gather socially for the sole purpose of making music together.
I plan on doing more than just write of this here.
Often times the responsibility as teacher is all consuming. What is left is dedicated to the doctoral candidate pursuit. So much so that the majority of my energy is devoted to the teacher/student side of me rather than the musician side.
As I completed my Kodály levels I was reminded of the importance of continuing the musicianship, the music making that got me into this field in the first place.
I daily need to be reminded of that. At times I have to do what I tell my students to do - to schedule practice times into my day.
It started simply. As I took breaks from my writing I would play piano, the congas, the Irish whistle. Why? Because I was making music.
But I wanted to make music with others.
As a result I started a recorder ensemble (yet unnamed) this summer. A recent graduate, a colleague, a friend, and myself have been making music together regularly since the beginning of the summer. We already have two possible performance opportunities. :)
Last spring I joined the local community chorus. It was a welcoming group of musicians who LOVE choral music and making music. The music is challenging and beautiful. My love of singing is fulfilled.
Last week I auditioned for a chamber ensemble made up of women. I would say that ever since I heard Sweet Honey in the Rock and Libana (both all-female groups) it has been my desire to sing with a small ensemble of women. I've toyed with the idea of starting my own, but this works out better, I can still get the enjoyment of making music without being in charge. :)
The common theme here is making music.
It is an integral part of my life. I have seen posts on Facebook that say something like, "I am the person I am because of the music that has been a part of my life."
So, if you can't find me in the classroom...or writing at my desk...you will probably find me
