Leads for alto singers

[choirchick]

Seems like most songs are led by either a natural, very high female soprano or a male tenor. What are some gospel songs that have an alto lead?

[csedwards2]

Seems like most songs are led by either a natural, very high female soprano or a male tenor. What are some gospel songs that have an alto lead?

all Israel songs

[betnich]

all Israel songs

Very true - most Israel Houghton songs he sings so high that altos can do it.

Also, most Judith McAllister songs, "Chasing after You" by Bishop Morton, and "Use Me" by the Brooklyn Tab. Choir have Alto leads...

[sjonathan02]

Seems like most songs are led by either a natural, very high female soprano or a male tenor. What are some gospel songs that have an alto lead?

Any song that has a male lead can be sung by an alto (known as a contralto in classical music). This is because a lot of male-lead songs have a high tenor so it should be comfortable for an alto.

[choirchick]

Thanks for all of the inputs. I've also come across a beautiful song by Shekinah Glory "Glory To Your Name" that seems pretty easy for an alto.

Should I also look for any particular song key when searching for alto leads?

[sjonathan02]

Thanks for all of the inputs. I've also come across a beautiful song by Shekinah Glory "Glory To Your Name" that seems pretty easy for an alto.

Should I also look for any particular song key when searching for alto leads?

While there is a particular range for an Alto, it depends on the Alto, I would say.  There are a few Maurette Brown-Clark songs that would work (I consider her an Alto).

[LaylaMonroe]

Anything led by Charisse Nelson-McIntosh from Richard Smallwood, anything led by Nee Nee of John P. Kee (I'll Serve Him, Pressing My Way), anything led by Timiney Figueroa (before she was Timiney Caton) of Hezekiah Walker, a lot of Milton Brunson songs (There is No Failure), a lot of Ricky Dillard songs have alto leads, as do most of James Hall's WAP and VOC. Tramaine Hawkins also leads a lot of alto songs.

You know, now that I think of it, I think you may be wrong. There are lots of alto leads out there. What kind of music do you typically listen to?

[Docdb04]

Some of Donnie McClurkin songs are good for Altos.  Like "Trusting In You" and "Purple" on his latest album are good for an Alto.  Darrel Coley (sc) has some good songs for an Alto.  "In the Arms of Jesus" is a good one and it's one of my favs. 

[choirchick]

Anything led by Charisse Nelson-McIntosh from Richard Smallwood, anything led by Nee Nee of John P. Kee (I'll Serve Him, Pressing My Way), anything led by Timiney Figueroa (before she was Timiney Caton) of Hezekiah Walker, a lot of Milton Brunson songs (There is No Failure), a lot of Ricky Dillard songs have alto leads, as do most of James Hall's WAP and VOC. Tramaine Hawkins also leads a lot of alto songs.

You know, now that I think of it, I think you may be wrong. There are lots of alto leads out there. What kind of music do you typically listen to?

Well yes! now that you mention it, I stand corrected  but hey, you have not cause you ask not, right. I will definitely check out the ones that you and others mentioned. Most of the songs that I have came from choir and PW mixed CDs given to me over years by different directors where the lead was either a female soprano or a male tenor. My day to day playlist could be anything from GRITS to Richard Smallwood. My iPod consists of a lot of Israel, Fred, Tye, with a very very assorted, hit or miss, mix of other artists (including some that you mentioned Hez, JPK, Smallwood). I grew up Catholic (I know right?) and started going to Contemporary Gospel Services in 2003. So in a nutshell, I'm still learning. I wish I knew more traditional classics, and I don't rule out any style of music as long as it lines up with the Word of God.

[LyricTenor]

Feel free to checc out my media folder.  It's mostly P&W, but I'm sure you'll find sumthing.