Xena,
I thought the article was on boys singing and the stereotyping of males through such things as ads and the media, but it is interesting that you belong to a mixed musical group. That is most likely because all female groups rarely last very long, and this is fact.

The same goes for choirs, and if boys are dropping out of singing, musicals, choirs etc then eventually the public looses interest and those things cease to exit. The situation at the high school I mentioned would be quite representative of many schools now, but it was not always like that. I wonder why.

The author has pointed out the situation where boys will que up for choirs at boys only schools. These choirs will be boys only choirs, but the boys have minimal interest in joining choirs at co-ed schools, where the choirs will be mixed. Maybe this provides clues as to why.

Perhaps boys don’t like to be gossiped about, nagged, hen-picked, squealed at, emotionally manipulated etc by girls or women that may be in the choir or musical productions. That is what is referred to as a “girlie” environment, and I don’t think too many males respond too well to that type of environment, and males only become involved in music or art if the environment is right.

With boys not doing as well in many areas of education, then perhaps the education environment has become too “girlie” for many boys also. All politically incorrect to say, but probably very accurate.

Ads and media that negatively stereotype males, anti-male messages from feminists, entertainment that is now purchased from others etc, are also on the list as to reasons why, but noticeably missing was your list of probable reasons why (of course)

My daughters, both beautiful singers, will not join their school choir (mixed) because choirs have become terminally uncool. They sing, like many other boys and girls at their school, solo. The school (public, comprehensive, co-ed) has 4 concerts a year which students audition for and boys and girls make equal amounts of music, drama, comedy and mayhem. Even dance is pretty equally participated in, with boys doing spectacularly athletic breakdancing.
The choir is predominantly female, but very small. The band is predominantly male, but equally small. According to my girls the kids prefer to generate their own acts and ideas. In the choir, and the band, teachers and parents take over.
Maybe if we want more kids (boys in particular) to join choirs, we need to give them more ownership of the songs they sing and the music they make. From the number of rock bands that perform in my kid's school concerts fronted by male singers, they have no trouble singing the songs they choose themselves.
The remarks about the "girlie" atmosphere in Timkin's last post fit my definition of mysogyny and seem to say more about the writer than the problem.

Let's for a moment ignore the pro-Timkins camp and the anit-Timkins camp and consider only the article. Who then largely argrees with what the author has to say?

Hmmm....

OK... it seems people are getting hung up specifically on gender issues, re singing. What about the notion of what consistitutes "good" singing and being "able to sing"? Someone earlier mentioned being encouraged NOT to sing. Sure, we'd all perhaps prefer not to listen to a voice, which could peel paint of the walls, but providing early intuition and encouragement for both BOYS and GIRLS ( and the Michael Jacksons of the world... hee hee)would be a more positive step toward addressing the issue Mr Crabbe is talking about. As for Choirs, they may not be a drawcard for everybody, but choosing a prefered genre for the learner would at least provide a fun and familiar environment to encourage our kiddies to sing.

OK Penekiko, (is there a pro Timkins camp?).

Well, this big girly-man thinks the author has a point regarding the lack of boys in choirs, however the same argument can be made for girls as well.

As enaj suggested more children would be interested if they had more involvement and input with the type of music in choirs. Having said that I know both my kids would run a mile rather than join a choir and as they already have strong interests in a variety of artistic pursuits I'm happy that they're happy. To be honest I'm not all that into choirs myself.

I, like most parents, just want to encourage my kids to be positive, compassionate human beings.

Penekiko, count me in on the largely agreeing with what the author has to say.

R0bert