I am so glad that music classes rarely focus on winning.
Even at state adjudicated festivals, even at the World Choir Games, judgements are based on objective assessments, not on a true head-to-head competition. So any awards or “wins” can be filed under “reaching the ensemble’s potential.”
The reason I’m so glad for this aspect of ensemble music-making is that a primary goal for my students is that they become life-long singers. Barbershop, community, or church choir – it doesn’t matter, as long as they keep singing. I regularly check in with my students about their vocal health, and generally prioritize repertoire and skill building that is conducive to healthy, relaxed singing.
Contrast this with the mindset on a competitive football team or hockey team, for example. For every student who goes on to play professionally (count them on one hand at any high school), how many are limping in their thirties because of bad knees? How many “leave it all on the field” – where the “all” includes their future health?
There is a way to play competitive sports safely and prioritize long-term health. It’s just too easy, when competition is front-of-mind, to care too much about winning today and not enough about playing tomorrow.
There are plenty of ways to hurt our voices and jeopardize our long-term singing potential. I’m glad that high-stakes competition isn’t one of them.