[Magdalen] humorous aside

[Lesley de Voil]

Thirty or so years ago, I belonged to the only secular choir in the state that concentrated on Renaissance a capella music. The American wife of a new member of the University staff joined us. It was immediately clear that her mid-West accent did not blend, particularly since our aural expectations of the music at this time included a distinct Oxbridge  accent. Our conductor had the unenviable task of informing her that her services were not required. It was a shame to lose her, for her otherwise excellent musicianship would have been greatly valued. It was almost as if she could not hear the difference that her voice made.
Regards
Lesley de Voil

-----Original Message-----
From: "Cantor03--- via Magdalen" <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
Sent: ‎13/‎09/‎2015 10:20
To: "magdalen at herberthouse.org" <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
Cc: "Cantor03 at aol.com" <Cantor03 at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [Magdalen] humorous aside



In a message dated 9/12/2015 12:31:34 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
oppenheimerjw at gmail.com writes:

"Five  people have told me you can't sing," answered the  pastor.>>>>>>
 
The Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Eau Claire, was one of the better
church choirs in that area.  I sang with them for about 20  years.  During
much of that time, there was an alto who was an ace at reading the  music,
but had a most peculiar nasal quality to her voice.  It was as  though
she were trying to project the "a" in "cat" through her nose.
 
Unless she was instructed frequently to tone it down, she produced
a type of cipher through much of the choir's singing.  Veiled  suggestions
were made by choir personnel (NOT me!) that she should seek some
professional help to hone her voice, but nothing came of it.
 
It was not the type of choir where singers are generally asked to leave, 
so the problem persisted, and I left before there was any solution  made.
 
Chalk it up under the traditional "Make a Joyful Noise Unto the  Lord".
 
 
 
David Strang.