The other day I was speaking with the mom of a 5th grader who lives in the southwestern part of the state. She was asking my opinion on something that had taken place in her daughter’s 5th grade class a few days prior to our conversation.
One of the “special” options for 5th graders in her daughter’s school is choir. But, unlike the other special classes, children—5th grade children—were required to try out for the choir class. You know what that means, don’t you? Not everyone who tried out was accepted into the class.
Are you kidding me? No, unfortunately she wasn’t kidding. Only half of the 5th graders who tried out were allowed to join the choir, leaving the other half believing they weren’t good enough, talented enough, or whatever enough to be in the class and participate in special programs the class does throughout the year.
Don’t get me wrong. I understand that there are times when tryouts are necessary.
For example, who gets what part in a play, solo parts in a choir performance, varsity vs. junior varsity sports teams, and the like. Job interviews are even a tryout of sorts, and none of us would argue the validity of an interview to find the right person for a job.
But, to tell a fifth grader they aren’t good enough to sing the songs elementary-aged children sing, play a kazoo and a recorder, and stand in front of audiences big and small? I can’t see anything good or right in that. It’s a class, not an extracurricular activity.
Besides that, it is my belief that the tenderness of a 5th grader who is getting their first taste of the mental, emotional, and physical roller coaster called puberty shouldn’t be put under that kind of unnecessary pressure.
Am I wrong in believing that every student who wanted to take choir class should be allowed to do so? Am I wrong to believe that the more musically/vocally talented students could be given the solos and maybe even form an ensemble that got to do a few extra things? Am I wrong to believe that these little hearts and minds have been wounded and that, in some cases, the scars are going to stick around a not-so-good long while?
I sincerely want to know what you think.
