Soprano's Anonymous

Hi. My name is Megan, and I'm a soprano.

(No doubt some of you are now saying "Well, duh, Megan!")

I've been in denial for a long time, in spite of the fact that my choir directors and voice teacher and multiple music directors have been telling me for 15 years that I am. It bugged me. I have a really nice, rich, low voice, and it's so much more FUN to sing the harmony! I love to sing the second line at church (and the tenor an octave higher) because I love playing with harmonies and hearing how all of the lines of music blend together. Soprano is so BORING! And there are so many sopranos why did I want to compete with more talented and experienced singers in my own range? Pffft! Forget that! I sang alto every chance I could, and buried myself in ensemble and choir roles. I sang the alto part in a trio my senior year and was thrilled when my choir teacher said, "You are a really good alto? Are you really an alto?"

I pretended not to notice that during Sleeping Beauty, whenever my character would start riffing into some random line of music it was always a coluratura. I really am always honestly surprised when I am able to hit a high A through C (the C is infrequent, but it happens).

Well, a month ago, I hit rock bottom. After years of denial and six months straight of singing alto and second alto in Kiss Me Kate and Seven Brides, I didn't want to do it anymore! Give me a melody to sing! I grabbed my iPod and put on the Secret Garden musical and the Pirates of Penzance and anything else I could find where I knew the soprano songs. I haven't sung alto at church for weeks now. I'm a soprano! I want to sing soprano somewhere! I may not have the most accomplished voice, but it's a nice little one and I just want to sing, sing, sing!

This is no way takes away from my enjoyment of singing the Milly songs in Seven Brides. All singing is good singing. But I often wish that I get to sing "Wonderful Day" a third higher, just like in the movie. Every time the pianist plays the introduction I think "Ack! I forgot how low that is! Can I really sing that?" I can, and it sounds good, but I sure do wish it were just a little bit higher! Just wait until you hear it. Such a good song.

Last week I auditioned for the Music Man at Rodgers Memorial, and I sang the tail-end of "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady. I completely rocked it! That last high note felt so good to sing and I was proud of the tone. Too bad I would have to miss half of the rehearsals, so they didn't call me back (let's pretend that's the reason, okay?). But just knowing that I can sing like that made me happy. It's the little things that count.

I'm a soprano. No use denying it anymore. Now just to stop limiting myself and create opportunities to sing in my natural key.

Look out, World!