Leaving the Do-Wop Chorus: Knowing When it's Time to Break Out

The reason why choral singers join choirs is that we love singing with others. But for an alto, choral singing can be pretty limiting if it's the only singing you do and if the music is basic. Boredom can set in quickly once you're able to master intermediate-level music quickly. What to do?

Several years ago I found myself in that position and decided to explore new musical genres. I signed up for a jazz vocals class and continued studying under the teacher as a private voice student after the class ended. This teacher held a Sunday afternoon open mic twice a month for her students, with a guitarist for accompaniment. Each participating student had the opportunity to sing a solo song or two. This challenged me in a way I'd never experienced before.

Here are a few things to try when you're ready for further challenges that your current group can't provide:

• Take private lessons if it's in your budget. Many instructors keep tabs on opportunities for vocalists and can notify you of auditions as they come up.
• Explore music outside of "your" genre. I chose jazz because I'd always sung in traditional choral groups that focused on classical choral repertoire. 
• Get friends together for a karaoke party or a trip to an open mic event. 
• Find out if your local paper (or its online version) has a weekly arts insert that includes audition notices. Choose something that looks appealing and try out. Having to prepare for an audition challenges you to work harder at developing certain skills such as sight reading. 
• Round up a few musical friends who may also be ready for new challenges or post an ad on a site that draws singers, and try out new-to-you material for small groups. 

If you try several of these options, one thing will probably lead to another and soon you'll be out of the doldrums.

Here's an Amazon Listmania list of recordings by women with good range and color for altos.