Dear Lisa:
I could not agree with you more completely. The whole idea that a
young voice, and by young I mean anyone under 35, should have a
determined voice type, let alone a determined fach before the voice
is fully mature, is counterproductive.
Most contest judges and University/Conservatory voice teachers are
uncomfortable when faced with a voice that does not fit into some
definite category. There may be many reasons for this discomfort.
Perhaps they do not inwardly feel confident about deciding the
category, perhaps they cannot imagine teaching a student who does not
have a defined category, perhaps they are teaching because they never
could find their own category, perhaps, perhaps. I am most certain
that the difficulty is with the observer, be it judge or teacher, and
not with the singer. Most singers of intelligence instinctively know
what songs and arias work best for them and will sing these works to
best advantage.
However, that having been said, it does not assume that all voices
can or should do music from all categories. High voices such as
lyric tenors and coloratura sopranos are more likely to find their
category at an earlier age than those voices with a more dramatic
potential. But all voice can sing outside their eventual voice type
and learn greatly from doing so. Such experience adds to their
range, sense of tonal color, and acquaints them with the "feeling"
of singing in neighboring categories.
In my opinion, it is the job of the graduate school to only evaluate
the musicianship and voice potential of the auditionee and not so
much the "Box" that he/she may have been put in.
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