True contralto voices are rare and prized - even the Met usually has mezzos sing contralto roles most of the time, so it's hardly surprising that people don't really know what to do with them. I know a singer who sang as you did - choral alto, and frequently tenor, and she also regularily sings the "bass" in barbershop repertoire. She's now 30 and her voice gets more beautiful every time I hear it. For myself, I've sung choral bass for 19 years and people still thing my baritone voice is a fine thing, particularily my high notes, even although my low C was the reason we were able to do Britten's Hymn to St. Cecilia a couple of years ago. Given that I've not heard you, nothing in my experience suggests you should worry. I also feel that the current growing success of the countertenor voice will stimulate more interest in the female contralto. john
At 10:43 PM 8/17/00 -0500, you wrote: >What's the general opinion on women who sing tenor in a choral setting? My >range goes an octave below middle C, so I've been doing it all through high >school, with equal success in competitions to when i sing alto. However, >clinicians at some choir clinics I've been to have really frowned on my >being a tenor. Is there any good reason why? (The one who gave me the >hardest time was an older male, which made me wonder if it boils down to >sexism or intimidation. :) >Also, what on earth does one do with a voice so low? My voice goes high, too >(G a 12th above middle C is my highest comfortable note), but nevertheless I >feel like a bit of a freak of nature. I've never taken lessons, BTW. >Just wondering, >Tracey Jones >________________________________________________________________________ > > > > > > > > John Blyth Baritono robusto e lirico Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
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