Heh. Outed! Hamsters ate my earlier reply, so let’s try again.
1. When and/or where?
Church choir (including a few cathedral services), former works choir, music group, amateur musical theatre, church congregation, occasional karaoke (not for years though).
2. In front of people?
Oh yes. Lots.
3. Professionally?
Nope. Once or twice I’ve been paid expenses.
4. What kind of songs?
Church music, classical settings of the Mass and similar (Vivaldi Gloria, Allegri Miserere, etc.), showtunes G&S and other, Victorian and Edwardian parlour songs like “The Lost Chord”, “Watchman, what of the Night?” etc.
5. Are you any good?
Yes. Last October at our band concert (brass & woodwind) we did “When I was a Lad” from HMS Pinafore, and apparently when I came in (as Sir Joseph) there was an appreciative murmur from the seats near Mrs M. I have an enormous range, almost perfect pitch, can recall music from many years ago, and power to spare. But as with one or two other accomplishments, the fact is that I’m good enough to occasionally rub up against people who really know what they’re doing. And even after thirty years singing, a few professional lessons made a big difference.
6. Any further comments or anecdotes appreciated!
I’ve performed as solo bass, baritone, tenor and counter-tenor, including one programme where I sang baritone for the first half and counter for the second. And last year I sang an anthem for my niece’s wedding that I’d arranged myself (the anthem, not the wedding).
Mostly in the car or at home (and I have found myself singing in stores to muzak. sometimes I stop when I notice) - but also with a small women’s choral group.
Yes, occasional performances.
Not really, no.
Just singing on my own? Pretty much anything - I like to play with the sounds. With the group? Choral music - some sacred songs, some art songs, standards, pretty much what you’d expect if you saw us.
I think I’m pretty ok. Not great, but pretty ok. I do wish I had done more when I was younger, but how much more? And would it have been worth it? I’m not good enough to know that the answer would be yes.
I would love to sing with a band, just to see what it was like. (I should be old enough to have outgrown the rock star fantasies - ) but I have no idea how I could even try to do that. I also want to play drums.
1. When and/or where? Typically in the evening, at private parties, wedding/engagement especially, and sporadically at club gigs I do with my jazz groups.
2. In front of people? Well, yeah.
3. Professionally? As in “for money,” yeah (although to be honest, I get paid to play sax; vocals are a double). As in “good enough to have a full-time vocalist not rip my singing,” probably no.
4. What kind of songs? Jazz, standards (if you have to ask, this means quality adult pop music of the pre-rock era), and, uh, jazz standards.
5. Are you any good? See question 3.
6. Any further comments or anecdotes appreciated! When nobody is around, I…I dress up as a tenor and I…uh…perform auto-falsetto.
When and/or where? In bars and at band rehearsals.
In front of people? Yep.
Professionally? I’ve been getting paid to sing and play guitar for almost forty years.
What kind of songs? Rock covers.
Are you any good? Good enough to get paid.
Any further comments or anecdotes appreciated! At the age of ten I decided to quit playing drums and switch to guitar so I could accompany myself singing.
Last October at our band concert (brass & woodwind) we did “When I was a Lad” from HMS Pinafore, and apparently when I came in (as Sir Joseph) there was an appreciative murmur from the seats near Mrs M. I have an enormous range, almost perfect pitch, can recall music from many years ago, and power to spare. But as with one or two other accomplishments, the fact is that I’m good enough to occasionally rub up against people who really know what they’re doing. And even after thirty years singing, a few professional lessons made a big difference.