Parents' Guide to

Trial by Choir

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Tough teens sing their hearts out.

TV TLC Reality TV 2006
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

babes
babes Parent of 11-year-old
July 29, 2009
age 10+

Awesome

I thought that trial by choir was one of Americas most real reality show I've seen in years. I thought that both the Choir Director and Youth Counselor worked great together. Although their personalities "clashed", it is what made the show so real. Jerome's role was to see that the kids learn how to express their voices through music and Kate's role was to see that they express their emotions through talking out their problems instead of through violence. I disagree that a counselor should just listen without giving reactions to problems. Sure anyone can go to school and earn a " textbook" degree, yet, reality is living through hardships and teaching with what we know and not what we think we know. Kate may have used her own life experiences, but it's obvious that she knew how to help those kids and did a great job at doing so! Ya can only help those who want to be helped!!!! I would love to see the entire crew reunite and give America another great reality show.
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What's the Story?

In the moving documentary series TRIAL BY CHOIR, 24 at-risk teens join a chorus with the hopes of escaping their rough neighborhoods. Dedicated youth counselor Kate Benjamin and stern musical director Jerome Kyles mentor the students along the way and also learn some things themselves. The 10-week program includes three rehearsals per week in a church basement, as well as occasional social outings during which the teens grow closer to each other. During one-on-one interviews and visits to the teens' homes, the kids expose their vulnerability and share some of their hardships with viewers. One girl feels like singing is the only thing good in her life, while another vows not to go on welfare like her older sister; one student wrestles with his family legacy as he turns 17 -- the same age his father was when he died -- and another, whose parents' stints in prison and on drugs sent him and his siblings in separate directions, is now settling in to his recently reunited family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

What makes Trial by Choir work is the teens' honesty and their heartbreaking circumstances. Mix that with a documentary style that echoes a reality show without feeling fake, and you've got compelling television.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the kids participating in the show. What compels these teens to join the choir? Why do they think singing can help their situations? Do you think the worst singers should be kicked out of the chorus? Why do some of the teens sabotage their own success? Are there other ways that at-risk teens can be helped?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: November 26, 2006
  • Cast: Kate Benjamin
  • Network: TLC
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-PG
  • Last updated: September 19, 2019

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