Kids' Concerts

This is one of those times when I'm just going to share my genuine thoughts and let the chips fall where they may. It may sound harsh and/or insensitive, but they're my true feelings... that's all the matters these days, right? So, here it goes... kids' school concerts suck. The kids are great... but their concerts suck.

Okay, now that the over-dramatic statements have sunk in, let me explain. Our oldest daughter's Christmas concert was last night (5th and 6th grade). Of course, my daughter was amazing. Here's my issue: I come from a pretty musical background. I understand that not everyone has the talent or upbringing that I do. So, do I cut people slack just because they don't have perfect pitch? Of course I do! I'm not asking for perfection. I think what we need is an audition and cut process. Once they reach a certain grade level - say 5th or 6th grade - it's time to weed out the tone deaf. By the time they're 10 or so, it should be appropriate for a teacher or guidance counselor to say, "Hey, singing and/or playing your out-of-tune violin is really not going to be part of your life's trajectory. Let's try the stage hand position. You can suck at that and not offend anyone's ears." Or something like that.

When schools put out performances of this quality it has a dual effect on parents, grandparents, cousins, etc. One, we have to sit through an hour-and-a-half of should-be-stagehands struggling through "A Christmas Carol in the Key of Train Wreck." Two, the school has now shoved us into a moral and ethical dilemma. We have to go home and tell our kids how great it was. Or, at the very least, commend them on how great they tried or how they "really looked into it" and hope they don't catch on to our lack of praise for the vocal disaster we just endured.

I guess my point is there comes a time in a child's life when it's appropriate - nay, necessary - to point them in a direction that will lead to their life's purpose. It's called tough love. Like everything else, I don't think we can rely on the school system to correct this. It's up to us, parents, to love our kids enough to put an end to the embarrassment, ridicule and overall terrible singing and/or instrument playing.