My DD didn't make a 4th grade school singing group this year. She still cries everyday over this. It really meant alot to her to make it. She loves music. I don't really agree with try-outs at that age level anyway. They are jsut starting to get self-confidence and then they are told they aren't good enough.

I mentioned to another parent that I told her to look forward to 5th grade when she can join the band. The other parent said hopefully she makes it through try-outs. Huh? I guess our grade school makes the kids try-out for band. If they aren't good enough or don't show potential to be good enough, they get cut.

Is this the norm now? I haven't been in grade school in 30 years but it wasn't like that when I was little. Anyone could be in band. They might get kicked off for goofing around, not showing up for practice, etc. but they never got cut. How is band handled in your grade school and junior high?

By Melanie on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 10:54 am:

I think it's outrageous to have them try out at this age. It benefits all children to learn music and I think it is terrible they would take that opportunity away from a child.

Our school doesn't have a singing group. We do, however, have band and orchestra. In third grade, all students learn to play the recorder. In fourth grade, all are required to choose an instrument. All children. With potential or not. It's not about grooming master musicians. It's about expanding their minds.

By Mommmie on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 11:07 am:

No, no tryouts here. Maybe they only have a limited amount of money for band and choir and they want to focus it on the more talented kids. I don't agree with that at all, by the way.

By Eve on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 11:13 am:

What?! Tryouts that young!? Oh my gosh--that is very upsetting. I remember in Elementary school we all had music class and we would sing. Then, in Jr. High everyone was included--no tryouts. There was tryouts in High School for Choir--but I don't even think then they would turn anyone away. What is wrong with them? That is too young to be crying about not making the cut!

Is there anyone you can call to complain? I think I would be letting the phone ring to everyone I could think of--including the principal.

By Sue3 on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 11:51 am:

No try out`s here either.If the kids want to join choir or band it is their choice.
My 7th grade daughter is in band this year and was last year too.
She is doing her first try out Monday and that is for cheer leading.
The band starts in 6th grade for our school district and 7th grade for choir.
And , like mealine`s school district the kids start the recorder in 3rd grade.
Before middle school K-5th grade all the kids have music class and the kids do a musical play at certain time`s of the year.
I think 4th grade is way to young also.Your poor DD ,maybe she can join a choir group in church?

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 12:24 pm:

Wow! Try Outs?! That's ridiculous! Our district starts Chorus and Band in Gr. 4. ALL 4th Graders are required to take part in Chorus, much to DS's chagrin. LOL! ALL students are encouraged to pick an instrument, start lessons and take part in the band. 80% of the 4th Graders do so. BTW, parents rent or buy the instruments.

By Juli4 on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 12:30 pm:

I have never heard of tryouts at all for grade school band. That is ridiculous.

By Debbie on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 01:17 pm:

I have never heard of try-outs for anything before high school. How terrible for you dd. My ds's school encourages all students to learn an instrument, sing in the choir and play sports. Have you thought about talking to the school and finding out why they do it this way? Maybe, you can help to get it changed.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 02:46 pm:

I've never heard of that either. In fact, our area has open *enrollment* for chorus and band all through middle school. I think in high school things change a bit, but I think it's ridiculous to put that type of pressure on young kids. They are learning, they are trying things on for size, discovering their interests. I think doing something like that is akin to a slap in the face for a young child just getting into those type school activities.

By Tayjar on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 03:08 pm:

Thank you all for your thoughts on this. I think it's just mean to tell any kid at this age that they aren't good enough for something. Encourage them at everything they do until they find an activity that fits.

What makes it hurt worse is 2/3 of the kids made the chorus. I think it has to do more with who the parents are and less with the student. We aren't overly active in the community but we aren't slugs either. Small towns, gotta love them.

I am going to talk to the principal but she is retiring this year. That's a good thing. So, it might be next year before anything gets done.

The ironic part is my husband is in a band and is the lead singer. She's even sang with his band for fun at events. If I wasn't so dang mad at the school, I would find that part funny.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 03:28 pm:

Outrageous to have try-outs!!! I feel so sorry for your dd. No try-outs here. ANYONE can be in band or choir, from elementary right up to high school. The only thing that we *might* have try-outs for around here is marching band, but I'm not even sure about that.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 03:45 pm:

Good grief. Anyone who wants to be in the Choraliers, can be, at the elementary school, where my kids went. Band was anyone, too! Sheesh! The only limitation was on flutes, I think, since the school could only provide so many. You only get to use the school instrument for a year, anyway and then have to get your own, at least for trumpets, flutes and clarinets. So, when Emily was a quarter into 5th grade and finally decided she wanted to join band, the teacher said there were no more flutes. I said, "no problem", we'll just get her one! (We would have had to, anyway!) She is in 8th grade now and LOVES band.

At the high school level, the band director can decide who goes into Symphonic Band. My daughter made it in. I'm so happy.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 06:36 pm:

How can you "try-out" for 5th grade band, when you haven't ever played an instrument before? I don't get it!

Sarah just told me that getting into Symphonic Band is based on your "chair" in 10th grade. You do have to play an audition sort-of thing to determine chair placement. The kids who don't make Symphonic Band, can still play in Concert Band.

By Pamt on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 09:43 pm:

Anyone can be in choir or band. My oldest DS was in choir in 4th and 5th grade, joined the band in 5th to play clarinet and now in 6th has moved on to bassoon. He HATES to sing now though--LOL He goes to a Christian school and did have to try out to be in the band that plays for chapel. He played the electric guitar and made the cut, but he said everyone who tried out got it and they will improve together and rotate on the band each week.

By Kernkate on Friday, October 21, 2005 - 12:07 am:

Ditto on all the above comments. Never heard of such a thing!