Trying out for choir in fourth grade?

[INDISMOM]

My daughter had to tryout to be in the choir this year (4th grade) and is very upset that she did not make it. Is this the norm now? When I went to school everyone was in choir through 5th grade and once you got to middle school you could choose to be in choir but you still didn't have to tryout.

I know she is going to have to learn about disappointment and we are using this as an opportunity to teach her that, but 4th grade seems a little young to be telling her she can't be in choir. She now won't even participate in our church Christmas play because she says she not a good enough singer.

So, do your kids have to tryout for choir in 4th grade?

 

[FloridaMom]

My daughter had to try out in 4th grade for the school Chorus, which was a separate group of 12 kids that performed at the school. Since we go to a private christian school they still had all the other kids sing on the Christmas and Spring performances, but the chorus sang different songs and also represented the school on choir competitions.

After 4th grade they were automatically invited back and new singer had to audition.

 

[luv2laugh]

Was it an 'Honors Choir' or something along that nature? Our district has that for children who are interested. They have to try out and cuts are made.

However, there's also a choir club during lunch once a week that any of the fourth and fifth graders can join.

 

[java]

We don't have chorus until 5th grade = and they tryout. *but everyone generally makes it. It really is for placement in the choir more than make it or not.
to her but let her know that she is still fantastic in your eyes!

 

[INDISMOM]

Was it an 'Honors Choir' or something along that nature? Our district has that for children who are interested. They have to try out and cuts are made.

However, there's also a choir club during lunch once a week that any of the fourth and fifth graders can join.

No, it wasn't for an Honor's Choir. Everyone is in Music class (aka choir) through 3rd grade and you either sing in the Christmas or spring performance based on what grade you are in (the auditorium at the high school is not big enough for all the grades to sing at each performance).

For 4th and 5th grade they have to tryout to be in choir and if they aren't in choir then they play the recorder in Music class all year and don't get to participate in either performance.

 

[Beca]

I'm sorry to hear that happened to your daughter. As a former chorus director at a children's theatre, we had our students audition for different groups starting in 5th grade. I can tell you right now, the number one reason children at that age get cut from a group is volume. If you cannot hear the child, you cannot put them in the group.

If your daughter REALLY enjoys singing and wants to do this, see if you can find a local voice teacher to work with her for a year, and then have her re-audition next year.

She is going to need some help and training to feel comfortable enough about her voice again.

 

[DeterminedOne]

When I was in 5th grade I didn't make choir (we called it Chorus) and I was devastated! I was/am a good singer and I was convinced the reason I didn't make it was because I didn't know the words to the song and the teacher was frustrated by it. She never told us what song we were singing so it's not like I had time to prepare. The ironic thing, the song was "It's a Small World." What can I say other than we were poor and as a result my life was very sheltered.

 

[mvazul]

I graduated high school in 1990. That means I was in 4th grade a loooooong time ago. I was in chorus from 4th grade through 12th grade - also went on to All County and All State. I had to try out every single year from 4th grade on. I see absolutely no problem with it. It was the same with band. Try outs from 4th grade on.

However, with that said, my school has changed things a bit. They now have chorus and band for third graders. (For band, they start out with recorders to learn to read music.) They allow all who are interested to join. This way they can find out if they really want to do it. It also gives the teacher a little more time to work with those who may not make it in 4th grade without some extra help. I think this is a good compromise. However, I 100% agree with trying out.

I'm sorry your daughter has decided to not sing in the church choir. Keep encouraging her. Voices can change. Maybe she can get in next year.



Michelle

 

[storzo]

I was in 4th grade 28 years ago and I had to try out to chorus.

Band was open to all and your ability placed you in junior or senior band and determined your chair.

 

[OK!]

When I was in grade school (about 400 years ago), everyone sang in concerts with their music classes, and then we could also try out for special chorus, which was kind of like an honors choir. Not everyone made that one.

 

[maelstrom]

There was always an "open" or "mixed" chorus for students in my district, all the way through high school. Starting in 7th grade, you could audition for a higher level choir. I was in "concert choir" in 7th and 8th grade. I never auditioned for a high school choir, but I know they had a women's chorale and the chamber singers, in addition to a few others. There were things like All-County Choir starting in elementary school, but these groups were comprised of something like six students, and they weren't the regular school choir.

 

[DISUNC]

When I was kid, the Nuns were BRUTAL. They acted as though they were Broadway producers. You either made the cut or ya didnt!

However my school was kinda famous for our choir. We sang every weekend during the holidays at the Waldorf Astoria, We sang with the Vienna Boys choir & we sang for the Pope!

 

[scottishduffy]

I went to a Private school that was pretty well known for its choir and music programs. Kids could audition for King's Kids starting in 1st grade. All children took a music class and took part in the annual christmas musical, but Kings Kids had a special performance during christmas and in the spring as well as attending competitions.

During music class there were group auditions for the choir. This usually occurred very early in the year. Everyone would audition, singing in groups of 5 or so. The teacher would walk past and listen to everyone then invite the best to stay after class to finish auditions. Only about 10 kids from each grade made it in, and it was considered to be a big priviledge. Most grades held their study hall (or recess) at similar times and kids would miss this to attend choir practice.


I remember a girl I took care of crying when she failed to make it in 4th but then successfully gaining entry in 5th. Maybe she will make it next year. Encourage her to keep singing and working on her voice.