Can my teacher force me to join the choir?

[nekosync]

There's a choir at school and my music teacher is making everyone in the music class (a really small amount of people) join it.

I don't sing at all, and I plan to keep it that way. It's every Tuesday at the music room, which takes time out of my lunch break. And when summer comes, the annual school concert will be held, so we'll all have to get on stage and sing.
-_-

I know plenty of people who'd actually want to join this club, but they don't get the opportunity because they take art and not music.

The first club meeting was yesterday, but I didn't go. I don't want to sing, and I don't see why I should be forced to.

Everyone else in my music class who's being forced to join hates it, too.

I told my mum about this and she told me to stop making a fuss about it and just join. If I don't attend, my teacher will probably make me go to detention or bring this up with my form tutor... *sigh*

 

[Motte]

What? Of course not. Do what you want with your free time.

 

[Kaboombo]

Talk to your parents about it. If you don't want to join, /don't/!

 

[nekosync]

Talk to your parents about it. If you don't want to join, /don't/!

Told my mum, she told me that since I'm a child I have no choice. This is so frustrating.

 

[#1 Senpai]

Told my mum, she told me that since I'm a child I have no choice. This is so frustrating.

Since you're a child you have no choice? Lol. i think that's incorrect..if you don't want to join the choir..just don't. If your teacher still forces you to join the choir then just go to the principle?

 

[ADanishMuffin]

Why don't you try talking with your teacher about it?

Besides, it should be your choice.

 

[nekosync]

Since you're a child you have no choice? Lol. i think that's incorrect..if you don't want to join the choir..just don't. If your teacher still forces you to join the choir then just go to the principle?

I guess I'll try that, but my mum will be so pissed off because she told me that she doesn't want me to make an "issue" out of this...

- - - Post Merge - - -

Why don't you try talking with your teacher about it?

Besides, it should be your choice.

I told him that I'm very anxious and that I have stage fright and he was like "Oh it'll be fine". :/

 

[Kaboombo]

Don't turn up. This is ridiculous. Your teacher can't force you to join a choir. Especially if you don't sing at all.

 

[okun0ichio]

You could just not go for choir at all until your teacher gives up on you.

 

[Hot]

No, I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed to do that. Why don't you bring it up with your school's counselor or the administrative office?

 

[nekosync]

You could just not go for choir at all until your teacher gives up on you.

I'll try that, but he'll probably make me go to detentions.

- - - Post Merge - - -

No, I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed to do that. Why don't you bring it up with your school's counselor or the administrative office?

I'll try asking the counselor today. Thank you!

 

[Murray]

Why not just go? Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to, and you wouldn't even have to try. I think your making too much of a fuss tbh

 

[Isabella]

nope she can't force you to do anything like that

 

[azukitan]

If it's an after-school club, I don't see how or why anyone would force you to join. Just blatantly tell your teacher to stop harassing you about it... is what I'd like to say, but I guess it's not so easy in real life. Is there any room for compromise at all? Part of it is self-reflection--ask yourself if this is something you truly want to stand up for and why it matters to you so much. Oftentimes, it's good to be flexible and give new experiences a chance. However, if you're absolutely against this idea, I would suggest going to someone who possesses the authority to fix this kind of issue (i.e. another teacher or principal).

 

[Mega_Cabbage]

If she gives you detentions, then don't show up. What is she going to write on the slip? That you didn't show up to choir club even though it's completely voluntary? I doubt they can punish you for that.

 

[Nyxia]

It might just be less hassle to join and mouth the words than to make "an issue" as your mother described it. However this is your choice.
If you don't feel that you could put in your commitment and time into something you definitely won't enjoy, then don't go. This really shouldn't be mandatory, even if your teacher says so.
Why don't you have a quiet word with the principle, or with the head teacher of the year? Ask them if it actually is mandatory and whether or not you would be of use to the choir. At least if the principle confirmed that you had to go, then it wouldn't feel like just the teacher was forcing you and everyone to do something you don't want to.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[Debra]

If you absolutely do not want to go, then you have all the rights to not go. No one can force you into doing something that you do not want to do. Just because others go or join, does not mean you should too. Sometimes you have to not care what others might think of you if you don't do what they expect you to.

Also, will you get a grade for this choir? If not, screw it.

You know, I have been in a similar situation as you a couple years ago. I was still in highschool and the entire class participated in an exchange-student-program. It was a program the school organized every year for all year-5-students (the education system in the Netherlands is different, so I was about 16 years old). The program was about spending a week in a foreign country (my case Italy), in someone's house you haven't met in real before, doing excursions and assignments the entire day. Everyone in my class and all teachers were like: "ohmigosh- so fun to do, yay. Can't wait. I am so thrilled." They saw it as some kind of holiday. And then there was me who was like: "I have to spend a whole week in a stranger's house? ..Plus I have never travelled by plane before? awww heelll naww". I was the only kid from my class who did not want to go.
All the teachers told me I must go. It was mandatory. I had no choice, they said. I have had several 1 on 1 conversations with teachers trying to convince me to go. I kept saying "no", "you can't force me to do this." It was quite emotional 'cuz I cried and stuff :<
So I did not go. They eventually gave in and I got to stay at school when my entire class left to Italy. I have never regretted this decision. I never got into trouble. Everyone just simply forgot about it. Even if I would have gotten in trouble (such as detention), I probably would have done the same.

Good luck in your decision OP At the end you know what is best for you. And if people force you into doing something you hate, then you might as well not do it. You won't benefit from it anyway.

Edit to my story: Now, a few years later, I have flown with a plane plenty of times when visiting my boyfriend in another country. I even lived and worked there for months. The point of this is, you might not be open for certain new experiences right now. But perhaps in the future you might. Then it won't feel obligatory, because then you chose to do it :3 Not others choosing for you.

 

[Murray]

You don't have to eat your vegetables either

 

[unravel]

The teacher can't force you to join the club it is against your rights, you have a right to choose to join the choir or not so why does he have force you to go okay so he wants all the class to join the club you guys were forced to join okay what if some people are not good at singing? I guess I have to sit there watching at your teacher yelling to a student and has to attend detention for not singing well (eat's popcorn)

Give the teacher a medal for best mistake award.

Okay just kidding I think he is just desperate you to join even you are not good at it I guess just like me how I join the "team" the teacher recommmend me to join because I'm good at it and obviously a few people join the team my friends told me to join because its my opportunity and I feel proud what i did well yeah it is your choice maybe at the end you will get an award but who knows

- - - Post Merge - - -

Maybe just do it for the grade

 

[okun0ichio]

I'll try that, but he'll probably make me go to detentions.

If you never actually agreed/promised him to join, there's no reason for you to be sent to detention.