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Boy Choir Music: Boys' Voices

choir boy voices
Figure 1.--The treble boy voice is considered by many to be a treasure of nature. HBC in collecting information for these choral pages, notes many references to boys' voices. Perhaps the most famous boys' choir in the world is the Vienna Boys' Choir shown here in a 1963 poster.

The treble boy voice is considered by many to be a treasure of nature. HBC in collecting information for these choral pages, notes many references to boys' voices. We have been able to find, however, no definitive study. There are some clearly established facts. It is clear that some choral music was written for boy singers as old as 18 years. It is also clear that boys' voices now break sooner than they did even a few generations ago. Several accounts indicate that boys' voices before World War II were breaking at age 14-15 years. I'm not sure why this was, but presumanly improved diets are an important factor. This we can not, however, yet confirm. What seems much less likely is that earlier boys; voices may not have been breaking until age 18 years. We can not say definitively that this was not the case, but there are other explanations. Some observers believe that it is more likely that choir masters were teaching boys whose voices were breaking to adjust the register and manner of singing. [Beet]

Treasure

The treble boy voice is considered by many to be a treasure of nature. HBC in collecting information for these choral pages, notes many references to boys' voices. We have been able to find, however, no definitive study.

Treble Voices

The term 'treble' as most artistic or Church associated words has evolved from the Latin 'triplum', a term noted in 13th century motets to describe the third and highest vocal range. The actual vocal range averages C4-A6 in the scientific pitch notation. The use of high voices had an even earlier history in the Christian tradition. This included both trebles and falsettos. Here the origins were not Jewish, but pre-Christian. We think this means primarily Roman, but we do not yet have details. The developing role of women in the Church was an inportant factor. Notavly St. Paul weites, "The role of women in the Church is a As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church." [1 Corinthians 14] This was part of the developing trend to restrict the role of women. And essentially led to music ast developed in Christian services to be mail voices. As vocal polyphony during the Middles Ages abnd into the Renaissance and Baroque, Church music consisted exclusively of male voices. This mean that boys were used to provide the treble range.

Boy Sopranos

A boy soprano is a youthful male singer whose voice has not yet changed and still in the soprano range. A boy soprano and a treble are essentially the same, singing in the same high register. The terms are, however, used differently. Choir boys are normally called trebles in the liturgical Anglican and English Catholic traditions. They are sopranos, but the term is generally not used for choir boys. The term boy soprano is usually used to describe boys who perform as soloists. This may include boys both who who sing in choirs as those who do not. The term 'boy soprano' is a very recent term. There was a revival of the boy choir tradition in England (mid-19th century). This revival spread to the United States, at first in Episopal churches. Dr Henry Stephen Cutler (1825�1902), Choirmaster of the Cecilian Choir, New York, first used the term 'soprano' to describe both choristers and soloists, in this case choristers giving concerts in public halls. He apparently first used the term in 1866.

Age Factors

There are some clearly established facts. It is clear that some choral music was written for boy singers as old as 18 years. It is also clear that boys' voices now break sooner than they did even a few generations ago. Several accounts indicate that boys' voices before World War II were breaking at age 14-15 years. I'm not sure why this was, but presumanly improved diets are an important factor. This we can not, however, yet confirm. What seems much less likely is that earlier boys; voices may not have been breaking until age 18 years. We can not say definitively that this was not the case, but there are other explanations. Some observers believe that it is more likely that choir masters were teaching boys whose voices were breaking to adjust the register and manner of singing. [Beet]

Girls' Choirs

Church goers throughout Europe for centuries have gathered beneath the soaring arches of the great cathedrals to celebrate the mass and later the services of Protestant denominations. The services would be enriched by the sweet soprano voices of generations of boy choristers. This tradition has begun to change. At several of England's great cathedrals, girl choirs have been formed. Girl and mixed choirs are not a new phenomenon. They exist in many countries and individual churches often organize such choirs. But the new girl choirs in England are being organized for serious music. There is no though to creating a serious mixed choir as the great choral master works have been in fact written for boys' voices. But even the creation of girl choirs is proving extremely controversial.

Differences

HBC has noted a debate over wether there is a difference between boy and girl voices. Some argue passionately that there is a destinct difference. Others argue that ther is no differenc. A HBC reader writes, "For sure you and I and other laymen won't be able to distinguish, but real enthusiasts and specialists can descriminate between the two. A boy's treble voice as more power than a girl, specially when trained to sing with head tone. A boy who already broke voice could still sing soprano with head tone ...and bariton with chest voice." Thi may well be the case, but HBC has noted that som of the choir mastrs orking with girls are not coninced of this.

Voice Changes

A HBC who was a chorister as a boy and has some background in theatricals has provided us some insights about boys' voices and how they change. He is also particularly interested in the Elizabethan Theater.

Sources

Beet, Stephen. Sleeve notes to "Tis there, my child, the Better Land".






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Created: February 21, 2003
Last updated: 1:10 AM 7/4/2011