Vocalist.org archive


From:  John Alexander Blyth <BLYTHE@B...>
Date:  Fri Aug 18, 2000  3:42 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist-temporary] Girls who sing like guys


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
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John Blyth
Baritono robusto e lirico
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

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