CrossCuT Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Let's just say I bit my tongue and fingers for several days after first reading this thread. I was in an Anglican-pattern chapel choir as an undergraduate: services six mornings and two evenings a week, and rehearsals on two other evenings. That's about half the workload of these kids around the age of ten years old. I learnt the very hard and humiliating way that you take that music to your room and you learn those notes because it's one to a part and God help you if you duff up Evensong. Many of my undergrad friends despise the various directions the Anglican communion is going on - but the current state of Catholic liturgy (with the exception of Westminster Cathedral, perhaps) they despise even more, and that's what put them off considering conversion. Ive been singing for most of my life so I can understand. Im currently in a Renaissance polyphony choir it its rad! But I have both been in and seen many childrens choirs and they are always mediocre at best mostly because of the immature voices. Its difficult to control at such a young age so to find a handful of boys with such beautifully pure tones as well as the ability to control pitch and dynamics is quite a feat. :love: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puellapaschalis Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) Ive been singing for most of my life so I can understand. Im currently in a Renaissance polyphony choir it its rad! But I have both been in and seen many childrens choirs and they are always mediocre at best mostly because of the immature voices. Its difficult to control at such a young age so to find a handful of boys with such beautifully pure tones as well as the ability to control pitch and dynamics is quite a feat. :love: Srsly. These guys are the ones who (usually) get married, hold down a job, look after their families, and greatly strengthen their parish choirs. They're the men who can sight sing like pros because they are pros. It's their example that encourages young boys (and sometimes girls) to even think about dedicating energy to it. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm3fZDZxiko[/media] I miss it sometimes :) ETA: also, this: [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDAfF0-8q8[/media] Edited August 24, 2014 by puellapaschalis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Srsly. These guys are the ones who (usually) get married, hold down a job, look after their families, and greatly strengthen their parish choirs. They're the men who can sight sing like pros because they are pros. It's their example that encourages young boys (and sometimes girls) to even think about dedicating energy to it. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm3fZDZxiko[/media] I miss it sometimes :) ETA: also, this: [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukDAfF0-8q8[/media] Both humorous and impressive. However, they will be sad to know we are actually on a global helium shortage. We're pretty much out of helium now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrossCuT Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Male sopranos (while people easily snicker and laugh) are quite rare and super rad. Its extremely difficult to sing like that so check yourself before you start poo pooing at someone elses talents. You might not understand it, appreciate it, or even like it, but lets not be negative. Ok, thats enough from the lame-o police. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deus te Amat Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Most of the poo-poohing I saw was regarding the type of music, not the choir itself. but you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrossCuT Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Meh. The boys still work really hard to create that music, so even if you dont like it not reason to knock their abilities. They are kids! BUt thats just my opinion and you all have yours! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puellapaschalis Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Actually I think the OP and first few replies didn't make any distinction, or if they did it was to rubbish 'boys' choirs' or 'children's choirs'. But this type of boys' choir is in a completely different league to the stereotypical rabble which an overworked volunteer tries to get to sing an entrance hymn properly. It's absolutely a different thing. The mental discipline required to not lose your place in Byrd (e.g.) and freak out because nothing sounds 'right' is something you will only find with the kind of intensive training these boys have. Anyone who doesn't like it can, I suppose, just avail themselves of the pile of tambourines or unnecessary vibrato over there in the corner. There's no need to snark on the English choral tradition, even if it be popped for the Top 40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archaeology cat Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I think Leo could make a great boy soprano. He can resonate very well as he shrieks at a very high pitch. Then maybe I can convince our parish to bring in choristers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrossCuT Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I think Leo could make a great boy soprano. He can resonate very well as he shrieks at a very high pitch. Then maybe I can convince our parish to bring in choristers. Put the shrieking to work! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archaeology cat Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Put the shrieking to work! :) That's what I say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrossCuT Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 That's what I say! If he has some good pipes maybe he would enjoy focusing it into a song while in a choir! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archaeology cat Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 He actually sang the Alleluia on Friday instead of shrieking. Of course, he sang it throughout all the Gospel and some of the homily, but it's a start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Male sopranos (while people easily snicker and laugh) are quite rare and super rad. Its extremely difficult to sing like that so check yourself before you start poo pooing at someone elses talents. You might not understand it, appreciate it, or even like it, but lets not be negative. Ok, thats enough from the lame-o police. :) If this was aimed at me, you could have quoted me. Since I work as an organist and choirmaster in the Anglican tradition, I understand both the historical and modern significance of boy's choirs, and I don't think I ever pooh-poohed anyone's talents. I just don't care for it. Choirs of men and boys are a different matter entirely. Although, to be honest, if I had the choice of conducting King's and Trinity, I'd probably go with Trinity. The timbre of the male soprano is just not agreeable to my ear. This of course is a matter of taste, and surely the choir school model is responsible for an innumerable amount of incredible adult male musicians. It just isn't my bag. Edited August 25, 2014 by Vincent Vega Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Meh. The boys still work really hard to create that music, so even if you dont like it not reason to knock their abilities. They are kids! BUt thats just my opinion and you all have yours! :) The overwhelming tolerance in here is making me feel ill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I think Leo could make a great boy soprano. He can resonate very well as he shrieks at a very high pitch. Then maybe I can convince our parish to bring in choristers. He's got to be better than the lady who sings at our parish. The thing is, she's so bad that you can't mock her without feeling bad about it. So I'll let Tim Hawkins do it instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61xj6XKPmvg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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