The Fredösphere

It's the curious case of Mikhael Rawls, who has been banned from participating in the Texas Music Educators Association choral competition as a soprano.  I don't think we should call him a "boy soprano" as A Cappella News did (which has the whole story); he's a mature 17-year-old best described as either a countertenor or falsettist, if I read the reports correctly.

I subscribe to the email list Choraltalk, and I don't recall an issue that has exercised this community more.  Follow the link and search for the subject "The truth about countertenors" and brace yourself for the deluge -- or just read a few selected comments.

I have mixed reactions.  It's important to understand that the ban on cross-singing (if I may coin a phrase) was created (just a few years ago) to encourage male participation and to protect altos from damaging their voices by singing tenor parts.  The ban on countertenors was included out of a sense of fairness.  It's worth noting that even this idea -- that it's hard on a woman's voice to sing low continuously -- is controversial, although I think it is correct in most situations.  Thus, I can easily appreciate the motive behind the ban, and I tire easily of those who detect sinister forces at work.  That many view Texas as a hotbed of bigotry adds fuel to the fire.  Some people want to turn this into an argument over gender politics to a degree that seems forced.

On the other hand, just one month ago, I was singing a baritone part at my church that included a section in falsetto.  I picked the piece -- heck, I wrote the piece -- so obviously I don't mind pushing the limits of what a male voice can get away with.  My church is theologically quite conservative, but stylistically open-minded in the extreme, so if anyone disliked the music, at least they didn't think a complaint was worth it.  I suppose I would feel differently if I lead music in an environment where my musical decisions were second-guessed.  (I've heard rumors that one or two churches like that exist in the world.)

It's easy for me to say, but if I were this kid, I hope I would have the sense to say to the competition (in a high, girlish pitch, naturally), "hasta la vista, baby" and use the publicity to go perform somewhere else, hopefully to enjoy the sweet, sweet pleasures of the Last Laugh.