Beyond Cute

Children are cute. No doubt about it. But, msguided adults, even certified music teachers, think this quality trumps all others when it comes to preparing children for musical performance. The most telling measure of this thinking shows up in the printed program of a children’s concert. It also shows up in the expectations (or lack of them) from parents and music directors when putting a group of children in front of an audience (or church congregation).

The literature chosen for children speaks volumes about the musical standards for this age performing group. It remains my view that children can sing far better music (though not necessarily harder) than directors often teach them. I also believe that children can appreciate far better music than adults think they can. The leader who respects the children in his or her choir enough to choose worthy music will reap the rewards of these youngsters enjoying and feeling pride in their abilities to make “real” music. Children can sing fun pieces as one of many on a balanced program, but making the whole program out of these reminds me of a meal consisting only of desserts.

Children also can sing with good posture, attentiveness to a conductor, and with good pitch and rhythm. One group of singers I once witnessed wandered about the platform and had to be “corralled” by their teachers long enough to get through their numbers. This kind of performance, excused by the expression, “Aren’t they cute?” just doesn’t allow children the dignity they deserve and the standards that we should hold for them.