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Main => Ministry, M.O.M, Praise Teams and Choirs => Topic started by: vtguy84 on August 11, 2008, 05:13:02 PM

Title: Male Sopranos
Post by: vtguy84 on August 11, 2008, 05:13:02 PM
What do you think about men singing in the soprano section¿
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: under13 on August 11, 2008, 06:18:02 PM
It doesent really matter to me. The MOM at my home church is a counter tenor. ( I think thats what its called), but he can sing  higher than a saprano. When he sings, people are looking around for a woman, wondering whose hittin them High notes. Because of this, some people thought he was......well you know. But the congregation still chose to hire him.

What about females singing in the bass section?
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: betnich on August 11, 2008, 10:26:46 PM
I have seen one in my life - a mezzo-soprano in college choir. Most guys who get up there without falsetto sing tenor/alto, like one in a praise team who got up to A or Bb above Middle C.

The late great Joe May may have been a countertenor...
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: apostoliczak on August 12, 2008, 10:36:57 AM
higher than a soprano??? Sheesh. Dats high. I dont see why people hate on singers that have unusual ranges. im a guy and i like to sing high alto. Everyone usually picks on me. But I dont care. I can't help it if i can hit the high notes.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: Maestro87 on August 12, 2008, 04:54:33 PM
I have the same problem, somtimes the tenor notes are actually too low for me.  The only problem is that it is hard for me to try and match the ladies' timbre.  It is actually more comfortable for me to stay in the raftors.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: apostoliczak on August 12, 2008, 07:37:58 PM
Yeah usually I'm the one who does the high parts for the tenor.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: vtguy84 on August 12, 2008, 08:20:13 PM
I understand that people have the range (self included).  The question is geared moreso to having men sing soprano in a choir/service/engagement.  Not so much their range in general
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: under13 on August 12, 2008, 10:57:02 PM
I understand that people have the range (self included).  The question is geared moreso to having men sing soprano in a choir/service/engagement.  Not so much their range in general
If they are needed in the sop. section, then I would place them there. As long as they can sing the part correctly, I wouldnt have a problem. But to me it seems like most choirs need all the tenors they can get. Most choirs that I've seen only have a handfull of men. (if any at all)

Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: 1voice on August 16, 2008, 12:13:11 AM
What you getting at really vt, sounds like you have something else on the brain,but want somebody to pull it out of you...
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: 1voice on August 16, 2008, 12:22:39 AM
Let me put it like this VT, i dont mind men singing soprano, if they can sing it, i have a great tenor, to soprano range myself, my problem is the look of todays men. We had a chior visit recently, on two different occasions, yes two different chiors, "WHY DO ALL THE YOUNG MEN TODAY LOOK FEMININE", ok most of them. I'm 45, and from a different era. It's just something i've noticed lately, and maybe that is what you were getting at?  ::)   ?/?
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: DirectingOrganist on August 17, 2008, 11:27:12 PM
seems ine to me so long as they can sing the part
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: LyricTenor on August 18, 2008, 10:37:19 AM
I don't see a problem with it.  I've done it from time to time some years bacc & I still do it now, just in rehearsals tho.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: vtguy84 on August 18, 2008, 12:32:49 PM
I don't see a problem with it.  I've done it from time to time some years bacc & I still do it now, just in rehearsals tho.

....and that's where I'm getting at.  Is it a good look to have males in the soprano section during engagements/concerts/service¿
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: under13 on August 18, 2008, 12:36:58 PM
....and that's where I'm getting at.  Is it a good look to have males in the soprano section during engagements/concerts/service¿

Why wouldnt it be?
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: SisterT on August 18, 2008, 12:40:54 PM
Sisters are singing tenor, so why not have males singing soprano if they can pull it off. THe only ones who will have a problem is those who realy "don't have a clue."

Only a man wh is confident in himself will be able to pull it off and not worry about what other folk have to say. (By the way--that's a quality in a GOOD man).  ;) "It doesn't look right" will only hold a person back. There was a time when interracial marriages "Didn't look right", and black people sitting in the front of a bus "Didn't look right". Worrying about "if it looks right" allows others (as opposed to God) to dictate your life and will keep a person trapped in mediocrity. 
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: nessalynn77 on August 18, 2008, 12:55:50 PM
Sisters are singing tenor, so why not have males singing soprano if they can pull it off. THe only ones who will have a problem is those who realy "don't have a clue."

Only a man wh is confident in himself will be able to pull it off and not worry about what other folk have to say. (By the way--that's a quality in a GOOD man).  ;) "It doesn't look right" will only hold a person back. There was a time when interracial marriages "Didn't look right", and black people sitting in the front of a bus "Didn't look right". Worrying about "if it looks right" allows others (as opposed to God) to dictate your life and will keep a person trapped in mediocrity. 

Co-Sign
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: 1voice on August 18, 2008, 08:37:53 PM
Sisters are singing tenor, so why not have males singing soprano if they can pull it off. THe only ones who will have a problem is those who realy "don't have a clue."

Only a man wh is confident in himself will be able to pull it off and not worry about what other folk have to say. (By the way--that's a quality in a GOOD man).  ;) "It doesn't look right" will only hold a person back. There was a time when interracial marriages "Didn't look right", and black people sitting in the front of a bus "Didn't look right". Worrying about "if it looks right" allows others (as opposed to God) to dictate your life and will keep a person trapped in mediocrity. 

i agree totaly..

Sorry if i went to far VT, your right the look is good, now that i know what you were getting at...peace.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: kodacolor on August 18, 2008, 08:57:27 PM
What do you think about men singing in the soprano section¿

The first thing I think is, "OMGosh their range must be AMAZING!!"  Some people think it's gay.  I wonder what the think about Smokey Robinson and other males who sing with high voices.  ::)
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: trulyblessed on August 22, 2008, 04:15:23 PM
I have no problem with it as long as the are efficient.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: Ramar on August 22, 2008, 04:20:15 PM
It would be a blessing to have a male soprano!!! I have one at my church, and it sounds great!!!
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: kodacolor on August 22, 2008, 04:47:39 PM
Male sopranos and female tenors amaze me because they're not the norm.  I figure that their ranges are just that bangin'. 

When did these things become of an issue of "Omgosh they might be gay"?  I remember being in the car with my dad when I was younger and listening to Smokey Robinson and other guys who sung pretty high and thinking some of them were female.  (however I was too young to know what "gay" was.  I figured out Smokey was a he and not a she because, "Although she may be cute she's just a subsitute," sounded like something a guy would say)

BTW:  Would Toni Braxton count as a female tenor or is she an alto?  When I was younger I always thought she was an alto because I thought that was as low as a girl could go.  As I got older the question remained unanswered.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: vtguy84 on August 22, 2008, 05:15:52 PM
Toni Braxton = R&B Alto/Gospel Tenor :D
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: kodacolor on August 22, 2008, 05:25:13 PM
Toni Braxton = R&B Alto/Gospel Tenor :D

lol  :D
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: Maestro87 on August 23, 2008, 02:08:05 AM
Male sopranos and female tenors amaze me because they're not the norm.  I figure that their ranges are just that bangin'. 

When did these things become of an issue of "Omgosh they might be gay"?  I remember being in the car with my dad when I was younger and listening to Smokey Robinson and other guys who sung pretty high and thinking some of them were female.  (however I was too young to know what "gay" was.  I figured out Smokey was a he and not a she because, "Although she may be cute she's just a subsitute," sounded like something a guy would say)

BTW:  Would Toni Braxton count as a female tenor or is she an alto?  When I was younger I always thought she was an alto because I thought that was as low as a girl could go.  As I got older the question remained unanswered.

In a classical sense, she would be deemed a Mezzo with a strong lower register or even a rarity known as a Contralto.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: youngmusician09 on August 30, 2008, 09:51:29 PM
Micah Stampley used to sing soprano at church.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: Fave on December 05, 2008, 09:03:06 PM
One must also take into account the spirit of the person.
Do they want to sing soprano because there more comfortable fellowshiping with the females? I have seen that in my choir. :'(
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: fmason3 on December 05, 2008, 09:07:31 PM
The first thing I think is, "OMGosh their range must be AMAZING!!"  Some people think it's gay.  I wonder what the think about Smokey Robinson and other males who sing with high voices.  ::)

I think it's cool.  I don't think most people think it's gay because the dude is singing soprano.  I think people think it's gay is because most of them jokers be looking gay...in my experience.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: silky on December 06, 2008, 10:11:56 AM
I think it's cool.  I don't think most people think it's gay because the dude is singing soprano.  I think people think it's gay is because most of them jokers be looking gay...in my experience.

Lol.  I know what you are talking about. But, every male soprano ain't the feminine type.

....and that's where I'm getting at.  Is it a good look to have males in the soprano section during engagements/concerts/service¿

As far as how it would look having a man in a choir singing soprano, I would not worry about that.  It's the anointing and the sound that matters.  You got to use what you got, God gave it to you. 
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: tobiustobi1 on December 09, 2008, 04:52:19 AM
Hello all, I'm new to this forum thing...been in Music Ministry for 9 years and I just wanted to quickly reply, its simply...sing where your tessitura is. 

Someone stated earlier on in the post, usually there is a need for Tenors in the choir, so I probably would have that gentleman stay in Tenor section...but if I needed someone to get up there, let him do it from time to time but positioned in the tenor section.

Shoot I have enough problems with my Tenor section, as I have mainly Baritones.....ahhh, help me Lawd.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: fmason3 on December 09, 2008, 06:59:04 AM
Shoot I have enough problems with my Tenor section, as I have mainly Baritones.....ahhh, help me Lawd.

Don't we all.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: steven_578 on December 09, 2008, 08:02:31 AM
I don't think I would have a problem with a male soprano whether if it's at practice or at an engagement,concert,etc.  Many people stereotype them and say, "Wow he sings high, He must be gay," when that shouldn't be done by anyone.  If i went to someone and mentioned Micah Stampley or Tonex, for example, they would say either, "Wow he's got a great voice and a great range," or, "Something is wrong with him." That shouldn't be the case because I've seen male sopranos that act more masculine than some tenors.  Besides if God blessed me with a range like that I would get on everyone's nerves singing all the time lol!
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: B3Wannabe on December 09, 2008, 03:53:49 PM
The first thing I think is, "OMGosh their range must be AMAZING!!"  Some people think it's gay.  I wonder what the think about Smokey Robinson and other males who sing with high voices.  ::)
It would be a blessing to have a male soprano!!! I have one at my church, and it sounds great!!!

I think we have one here! ;D ;D ;D


One must also take into account the spirit of the person.
Do they want to sing soprano because there more comfortable fellowshiping with the females? I have seen that in my choir. :'(

I don't see a problem with someone "fellowshiping" with females. What about dancers? Even actors in school are looked at as being "gay"--at least in the schools I went to.


I think it's cool.  I don't think most people think it's gay because the dude is singing soprano.  I think people think it's gay is because most of them jokers be looking gay...in my experience.

Exactly! If you're going to sing soprano, at least don't clap flowery! Grow a beard! Something! Sheesh! ;)
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: fmason3 on December 10, 2008, 09:21:32 AM
Exactly! If you're going to sing soprano, at least don't clap flowery! Grow a beard! Something! Sheesh! ;)

I played for a concert one time and there was a male soprano.  I had seen him at his home church before.  He is clearly carrying the soprano section.  But at the concert at my home church, everyone was wearing black.  The women had on black dresses, blouses, skirts, etc..the men had on black pants and shirts, etc...but his shirt had sequins all over it.  Now everyone should know from my posts in other discussions that I'm not big on judging outward appearances.  But with homosexuality running rampant in the church and in the music departments, someone should have told that brother (in love) that sequins wasn't a good look.

"Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thes. 5:22)

Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: under13 on December 10, 2008, 09:41:04 AM
I played for a concert one time and there was a male soprano.  I had seen him at his home church before.  He is clearly carrying the soprano section.  But at the concert at my home church, everyone was wearing black.  The women had on black dresses, blouses, skirts, etc..the men had on black pants and shirts, etc...but his shirt had sequins all over it.  Now everyone should know from my posts in other discussions that I'm not big on judging outward appearances.  But with homosexuality running rampant in the church and in the music departments, someone should have told that brother (in love) that sequins wasn't a good look.

"Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thes. 5:22)



Reminds me of the time  I went to a service and the piano player was wearing a see thru fish-net shirt and shades. Now that appears evil to me!
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: Jmanley1116 on December 10, 2008, 10:10:16 AM
I don't like male sopranos.  Most...and, I reiterate...most of them sound nasaly(sp?)and lets be honest here...most are a bit effeminate.  If you HAVE to sing soprano you need to be the first Tenor next to the soprano section.  All the tenors that I have seen that sing soprano in a traditional choir setup sing on the outside of the soprano section thusly making themsleves a spectacle and being quite a distraction...it basically said "look at me!!  I am a dude singing soprano and I'm killing it!!!".  The same goes for the alto section.  And, I am not biased either...I hate it when women sing from the middle of the tenor section.  You need to be the first woman next to the tenors.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: B3Wannabe on December 10, 2008, 02:13:45 PM
;D

LOL
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: Ramar on December 10, 2008, 08:29:10 PM
Reminds me of the time  I went to a service and the piano player was wearing a see thru fish-net shirt and shades. Now that appears evil to me!

At least he didn't have a nipple ring, that would have done it for me!!!
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: apostoliczak on December 11, 2008, 08:54:40 AM
What? You mean nipple rings are a faux pa (spelling). Well I guess I'll just have to take mine out. And burn my fishnet shirts. And my fake mink jacket. And the fake crocodile shoes. And the pleather pants. And...
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: vtguy84 on December 11, 2008, 06:56:01 PM
What? You mean nipple rings are a faux pa (spelling). Well I guess I'll just have to take mine out. And burn my fishnet shirts. And my fake mink jacket. And the fake crocodile shoes. And the pleather pants. And...

Is there anything else you would like to share? :D
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: apostoliczak on December 11, 2008, 07:20:45 PM
Nah I think I got it all off my chest, no pun intended.
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: ApostolicFemale on December 17, 2008, 08:48:42 PM
I have read this whole forum...which is unusual for me.  To answer your question Mr. VT...hmmm, a man singing soprano?  Well I knew this guy that was leading a song in a "woman's voice", and I thought it was a female, then when I finally saw him, my mouth was open!

To me, it's like most male sopranos in the church choir and straining, and GAY...yes I said it gay.  This guy that was singing like a female was "delivered" from homosexuality   :-\ I remember seeing him at my home church singing soprano with a group we invited to our convocation.  Believe me when I say, he was gay actin'.  Him and this other guy...they had the nerve to get a lil upset because we were "getting with them"...

Another time, I saw some young males singing soprano justa flimsy and broke back-did...and one had a TONGUE RING...and they had the nerve to be singing James Halls' "The Blood"...ewww.

As far as people like Smokey Robinson, and Toni Braxton go...they naturally have high, and low voices.  So in those cases, I feel like the way they sing is natural, but when you have these weak lil... in the church's choir, MOST of the time, it looks gay.   ;D

Hey, how yall been doin?
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: Ramar on December 17, 2008, 10:39:31 PM
I'm surprised that no one mentioned Daryl Coley on here... I used to listen to old James Cleveland songs, wondering who that woman was, I had no idea it was Daryl!!!


Also, as raspy as his voice is, John P. Kee has a very high falsetto... It can be heard on his song "I Do Worship"
Title: Re: Male Sopranos
Post by: chosenandcalled on January 12, 2009, 11:54:32 AM
In our choir we have a young guy in the soprano section that can sing as high as we can. Then we did have a woman singing with the men. So, to me its not bad.I think that these people just have special talents with their voices to where they can reach unthinkable notes for that certain person. Even though sometimes people think....you know. Well, to me To God be the Glory!!