I'm speaking as an atheist and a musician here.

It's simply not possible to get a good background in choral music without exposure to the great religious choral works. When you're learning those things for the sake of learning the standard literature and what you need to know about choral music to advance past the middle school level, that's not at all the same as being taught religion. Schools that forbid any religious music at all are doing their music students a disservice.

Of course. In the 1600 and 1700's some of the greatest music we still have was commissioned by churches. We'd not have all those preludes and postludes had some churches not paid Bach to write them.

Mozart's Requiem is one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, IMHO, and is the Verdi Requiem Mass.

One can appreciate religious art without being religious.

I have no problem with the music of Bach and Mozart because while they may have been motivated by religious themes and even had religious purpose, there's nothing overtly religious about the work. Nothing tells me it is Christin just by listening to it - unlike Away in a Manger.

As longs as its not stuff straight from the psalms...I don't see a problem. I was the only Muslim in my grade growing up and there was only 1 other a year behind me in school. I never got butt hurt by the " holiday music".

There were 3 or 4 Jews too. None of them really cared either. Just in music class...we were allowed to not participate if we felt a conflict with the song. We were all fine with that.

So yeah I see less of a problem with what your specifically referring to

If your school has people who are atheist or have other religions that occupy at least 1/8 or 1/4 of the school or in a competition, no. Otherwise, yes

Put it this way.. before they took prayer out of school the most common offense was scraping gum out from under desks.

Since they took prayer out of schools now they need drug dogs, police for protection, metal detectors, suicide counseling, pregnancy rate through the roof, drug addiction, gang violence, growing numbers of STD's and HIV at an all time record high.

So yeah I think anybody in school should be allowed to practice sing or speak whatever their religion is without the hindrance, limitation or interference of the government and yes that goes for any and all religions. Freedom of religion MEANS freedom OF religion not freedom FROM religion.

Yes. If they can be asked to perform love songs when they are not in love, then why not. That is what my chorus teacher said before he had us sing Handel's Messiah. What is the difference? You may not be performing something you believe in either way.

Certainly...

As classic music, it's beautiful...

not as part of a religious revival... or church meeting...

IMHO

Of course. I have nothing against Christmas concerts.

Yes, but I can't speak for all people, but then again all people should have a choice whether or not they want to listen to it.