Texas Group Denies Boy's Bid To Sing Soprano In All-State Choir

[The Straight Story]

Texas Group Denies Boy's Bid To Sing Soprano In All-State Choir


BEDFORD, Texas -- Singing soprano is for girls only in Texas' elite All-State Choir, eliminating a 17-year-old boy's chance to audition for a statewide honor and raising questions about gender discrimination.

The Texas Music Educators Association on June 15 denied a request from Mikhael Rawls to audition this fall as a soprano, a part traditionally sung by girls.

Rawls sings countertenor, a little known male voice part that has surged in popularity in classical and operatic circles. He can sing an octave and a half higher than most boys his age, and he feels most comfortable singing in that range.

He has even won first place as a soprano in the University Interscholastic League's competition two years in a row.

http://www.local6.com/news/4666918/detail.html

[Miss Chybil]

1. Looks like lawyer fodder to me... nt

[tubbacheez]

2. Rock on, Mr. Rawls!

All the best heavy metal vocals were in that countertenor range. I hope he files suit and wins.

[Blue Belle]

3. I was listening to this story on NPR last week...

They had a pretty good interview with the kid... and it sounds like a pretty archaic, narrow scoped rule the group is clinging to.

[Benhurst]

4. "... archaic, narrow ..." Yep, that sounds about right. NT

[TrogL]

5. Counter-tenor is hardly "little known"

Normally, though, they sing alto, not soprano. I don't see him being able to get to a high A.

[anitar1]

6. Well, it is Texas. n/t