Men singing female parts

[bigboi_08]

Just recently I came back from a meeting concerning a gospel choir that many students have put together at my school and that I just joined. But um ,.. as I was signing up to put my name and what part I sing, I noticed that there were and maybe 8 sopranos 9 altos and about 50 millian tenors..lol to be exact I say maybe about 13-17 tenors. So I was thinking to myself like ok, they have more than enough tenors and my vocal range is really stretchable. (like a Donnie Mcklurkin or Micah stampey or J, moss) SO I thought to myself like why dont I maybe sing alto and MAYBE give it a try cause I wanted to go where I know I could definately help out............................ So here is my question to yall, I kinda want to know do you think that by me or other males coming along and singing what is normally female vocal parts in a CHOIR or GROUP, that it's something that will be looked down upon by others? And If you was in my shows would you do the same thing? Or should I just go and sing tenor?
 
 

[THE WOLFMAN]

as long as ya wrist aint broke, and tha voice is tight, nobody should have nuffin to say.

[SisterT]

as long as ya wrist aint broke, and tha voice is tight, nobody should have nuffin to say.

When I first read the intial post, I couldn't articulate in writing what I really wanted to say----you went ahead and broke that thing down! 

[vtguy84]

I've run into this question before.  There is a difference between having the range to and actually singing in that section.  I have the range of a low soprano, but because I don't have the endurance of a soprano, I have never flipped groups.  In today's gospel music, today's tenors are yesterday's altos (range wise). 

If you feel comfortable enough and feel you have the endurance, then do what you feel best.  I know singing at the peak of a range consistently can cause wear and tear on a voice if you haven't trained yourself to do so. 

[LyricTenor]

Yo, if I STILL had my male soprano (I laff every time at that phrase) I could care less what others thought.  Hecc, I could care less presently.  Get in where you fit in, fam.  I do it myself, depending on the setting.  It's nothin'.   

[thatsmeonthemike]

I've run into this question before.  There is a difference between having the range to and actually singing in that section.  I have the range of a low soprano, but because I don't have the endurance of a soprano, I have never flipped groups.  In today's gospel music, today's tenors are yesterday's altos (range wise). 

If you feel comfortable enough and feel you have the endurance, then do what you feel best.  I know singing at the peak of a range consistently can cause wear and tear on a voice if you haven't trained yourself to do so. 

I think this is good advice. 

Many choirs don't allow males to sing female parts.  I know for a fact, Ricky Dillard will not put any man in his choir that sings alto or soprano, but he has a couple female tenors.  It's a double standard, but that's how it is.  Also many guys have the range, but like Micah and Donnie, they are still tenors and they would mess up there voices singing in the alto or soprano section of a choir.

I think you should continue to sing tenor.  I think the amount of alto's and soprano's is perfect.  I prefer a choir with more tenors.  I like the deep sound, and choirs blend better when the tenor section is large and on point.

[Wash]

as long as ya wrist aint broke, and tha voice is tight, nobody should have nuffin to say.

OK

[LyricTenor]

as long as ya wrist aint broke, and tha voice is tight, nobody should have nuffin to say.

You would THINK that'd bke the end of it.