[xzins]

Also Choirs.

We have an outstanding choir director (Christian) in one of our local high schools.

He says that the art of choir directing is disappearing. There is little interest in music departments and fewer students learning the necessary skills or interested in putting out the work to create the product.

Background tapes supporting vocalists and small groups fill the place of the choir in many churches.

Too bad; it'd be a shame to lose such a beautiful means of offering praise to God.

[Desdemona]

The other thing that is disappearing is good, correct voice training. It's not a matter of just opening your mouth and the sound come out. It's a total body action. it's not being taught at all and every time you get a Catholic choir they really just want to do a jam session rather than rehearse.

It's really sad. There is a body of material like no other written for worship and it isn't used.

[Desdemona]

Part of the problem is also that music is considered and extra and it's VERY expensive right now. Instruments, aside from the voice, aren't cheap and then they all need to be worked on from time to time. My flute should have the pads steamed once a year and that's not cheap. Piano tuning isn't cheap.

It also takes a lot of time and dedication. Instruments take a lot of patience, especially in the beginning, and a lot of parents don't want to bother with it.

[Salvation]

**Too bad; it'd be a shame to lose such a beautiful means of offering praise to God.**

"Raise a joyful voice unto the Lord!"