Shyness at school productions

[G Hardy]

My boy, now 8, has the voice of an angel, but is so shy that there's
currently no chance at all of him performing a solo at any school
productions. The school is doing "Cats" in a week or so, and he's been
singing some of the songs, particularly "Memories", to himself while
pottering about upstairs. His pitch and timing are perfect, even to our
untrained ears - it honestly brings a tear to your eye.

Does anyone have any ideas how we can steer him towards being more confident
in front of a crowd? I'd never force him to do it, but I think it would be
such a shame to miss the opportunity if there's something I can do.

[Welches]

Post by G Hardy
My boy, now 8, has the voice of an angel, but is so shy that there's
currently no chance at all of him performing a solo at any school
productions. The school is doing "Cats" in a week or so, and he's been
singing some of the songs, particularly "Memories", to himself while
pottering about upstairs. His pitch and timing are perfect, even to our
untrained ears - it honestly brings a tear to your eye.
Does anyone have any ideas how we can steer him towards being more
confident in front of a crowd? I'd never force him to do it, but I think
it would be such a shame to miss the opportunity if there's something I
can do.

Have you thought about a drama course? Stagecoach is the best known, but
there are dozens of others advertising round.
One of #1's friends did stagecoach, and age 5 (Y1) stood up in front of all
the parents and sang beautifully (unamplified) without a hint of anything
except enjoyment. She was the best in the show, better than the older ones
who couldn't be heard anything like as well.

Debbie

[Chris Davies]

Post by G Hardy
Does anyone have any ideas how we can steer him towards being more confident
in front of a crowd? I'd never force him to do it, but I think it would be
such a shame to miss the opportunity if there's something I can do.

I can't give you direct advice, but only speak from (limited) personal
experience. As a boy I used to sing in a choir. I was fine unless asked
to sing a solo in which case I'd go to pieces. I'm now considerably (!)
older and I lead a music group at our church. All singers including me
have a microphone and I'm the only male in the group, so it's pretty
obvious that I'm going to be heard distinctly from the rest of the
singers. I also play piano and I'm fine singing while I'm playing. Yet if
I have to sing without my piano (e.g. for a different group that already
has a pianist) I find it very difficult indeed. Worse, on the two or three
times that I've needed to give a pre-prepared announcement from the front
I've felt I've been shaking like a jelly. Yet at work I can happily give
off-the-cuff responses to questions in a training/group session.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that he may be perfectly happy singing
in a group but really uncomfortable singing solo, and I don't think you
should push it. Enjoy his voice and his confidence in a group situation;
he may be able to spread his wings later as he grows.

Chris

[Andy Pandy]

Post by G Hardy
My boy, now 8, has the voice of an angel, but is so shy that there's
currently no chance at all of him performing a solo at any school
productions. The school is doing "Cats" in a week or so, and he's been
singing some of the songs, particularly "Memories", to himself while
pottering about upstairs. His pitch and timing are perfect, even to our
untrained ears - it honestly brings a tear to your eye.
Does anyone have any ideas how we can steer him towards being more confident
in front of a crowd? I'd never force him to do it, but I think it would be
such a shame to miss the opportunity if there's something I can do.

It's not clear from your post whether he himself has ruled it out, or you are
assuming he wouldn't because of his shyness.

My son had one of the starring roles in the last school play and one of his
co-stars was a girl who was very shy. She had to play the role of a farmyard
animal having arguments with the other animals, and she was brilliant, she was
loud, clear and confident on stage, and was clearly enjoying performing, whereas
in a normal school/social setting she is very shy. And another girl who is
usually a loudmouth had stage fright!

--
Andy

[G Hardy]

"Andy Pandy" wrote...

Post by Andy Pandy
It's not clear from your post whether he himself has ruled it out, or you are
assuming he wouldn't because of his shyness.

He's said he wouldn't want to do it - however he's just had his school
report congratulating his newfound confidence in standing up at the front
and speaking to the class: Something he wouldn't want to do a year ago.

He's also been reading this thread with interest. He's enrolled on a
one-week drama course in August thanks to Debbie's reply. He'll be
fascinated with your reply about your son's co-star.