Mixed or Single-Sex? –
The Great Choir Debate I’ve read and re-read all the articles recently published in Community on this subject. I’ve also reflected many times over several years on the exclusion of girls and women from All Saints Choir. I pay tribute to Peter Richards for the work he does with the choir and to all choir members for the standards they have achieved. I was very interested to read his most informative article in December’s edition. Nevertheless my sympathies lie with John Fowler who I thought presented a very balanced case for inclusion of girls and women in the choir. Today’s church should be fully inclusive in every way. I entirely reject Paul Richards’ assertion that this is motivated by Political Correctness. It is simply the right thing to do in a society and a church that recognises the equality of women and values their contribution in all walks of life, be they secular or religious. It is right to say that the choir will no longer sound the same with female members. It WILL sound different. It should present opportunities for greater expression and different presentational techniques. It should sound fuller and richer. Have we never listened to mixed choirs and congregations on Songs of Praise, for example? Again, I thank Peter and the choir for all they have contributed and continue to contribute, but I think it’s time to move forward. I’d like to ask the PCC to take note of all this dialogue, review the cases for and against, and find a real place for girls and women who’d like to be choristers at All Saints. One final note – just what do our female readers think about all this? I understand a contribution from one lady is on its way to the Editor, but otherwise we have so far had only male input to this debate. Is it just we chaps who are getting exorcised over this?!!! I hope not. Keith Ashford |