Choir...help me please?!


Question: Ok, I'm joining my conservatory chorus (abt 22 people now) for a performance of Debussy's "Sirens". I'm a soprano and was placed as one at first. My conservatory doesn't have any voice majors. Thing is, the choral director transferred me to mezzo 2 because they need people, and although it was fun at first (not needing to work to sing those notes, and out-singing all the rest of the section on high notes), I'm finding it more and more uncomfortable to sing because it's too low. It hovers around middle C most of the time, and only has 1 high F# and 1 high A (both an octave and a half above middle C). After the most recent practices, I can't even sing my solo repertoire properly until a few hours later. In fact, even the high F# during the song is becoming problematic. The performance is on 19/2, and the choral director is still switching people around based on the balance needed. Should I ask to switch? I wasn't made to stay down there all the time! It's grinding my voice out.


Answers: Ok, I'm joining my conservatory chorus (abt 22 people now) for a performance of Debussy's "Sirens". I'm a soprano and was placed as one at first. My conservatory doesn't have any voice majors. Thing is, the choral director transferred me to mezzo 2 because they need people, and although it was fun at first (not needing to work to sing those notes, and out-singing all the rest of the section on high notes), I'm finding it more and more uncomfortable to sing because it's too low. It hovers around middle C most of the time, and only has 1 high F# and 1 high A (both an octave and a half above middle C). After the most recent practices, I can't even sing my solo repertoire properly until a few hours later. In fact, even the high F# during the song is becoming problematic. The performance is on 19/2, and the choral director is still switching people around based on the balance needed. Should I ask to switch? I wasn't made to stay down there all the time! It's grinding my voice out.

I agree with museofsatie. Check with your teacher first. There isn't too much danger, as long as you try not to sing with power in your lower register. If you decide to shift into "low gear" and try and constantly grind out sound where your voice does not feel most at home ( the I'm-in-the-alto-section,-so-I'd-better-s... syndrome) you will simply get vocally tired. I think that's what you have been experiencing. It's not unusual for a soprano to want to darken her voice to make up for the alto sound hse doesn't have. Sort of artificial coloring.
You were made to be up at the top, from the clips I have heard or you. Ask the choir director to switch you back. If it too late for t hat, make the part an exercise in moderation, and keep your slender soprano sound all the time. Don't give the low notes any more weight than they absolutely need ( and that's a lot less than you might think).
Even as a dramatic soprano, ( and I sing alto in a chorus so that I don't outsing the sopranos) I find that keeping the sound light and uncomplicated in the lower register carries further, and is less vocally tiring.
But please, check with your teacher. she can give you advice how to proceed.

While it is always good to practice both the higher and lower parts of your range, being in a position where you have to sing out of your comfort zone regularly could damage your voice. I definitely think it would be a wise decision to ask if you could change parts, especially if your choir director is still moving people around.

Ask your teacher to switch.
Vocals are not meant to played with.
I remember when I wanted to be a soprano, but I sounded terrible in high notes.
So, my teachers year after year put me in alto, and I now am glad that I did that.
You can hit the high notes, you are meant to sing that way.
So switch, and if not, you should go to a different choir.

Talk with your private vocal instructor and ask if they think your singing the mezzo 2 part in choir is something that could be interfering with your vocal progress. Even if they say you should stick with it, they can give you pointers on how to make it less stressful on your voice.

I would recommend that you be switched back to at least 2nd Soprano, as you are able to handle the range. I have the same issue with Basso parts myself, as my powerband is above D3; I get brassy to husky approaching C2. Although unfamiliar with this Debussy work, the 2nd Mezzo part may be an exercise for me in terms of getting a handle on stretching my highs to a consistent A5, which is tenorino territory for males.



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