I have always believed that there are no such animals as bad singers. Singing is such a joy that I have always believed that anyone who wants to sing should do so.

However, I *do* believe that there are bad performers. Maybe defining "performing" is what we might want to think about. I enjoy going to singers' nights and singarounds and hearing the singers. It doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks of their contribution, if they derive happiness from that so be it and it is not my place to criticise and/or judge that contribution.

If I go specifically to see a "performance", ie; a person standing in front of a group of people to present a song to an audience rather than contribute a song among a group, I would expect that person to be a bit more polished.

I don't know if I made the distinction that I had hoped to make. I agree with my good buddy, Dick Miles though-there are places where singers can get feedback and assistance to become better singers.

But we do need to encourage singing and let people find the joy of making music with the voice.

Deb Cowan