congregation members making rude comments about my singing

Megan Furlong · Mar 31, 2019

I attend church quite often. It is a small village church with a very small congregation. I have noticed whenever we sing the hymns some members of the congregation have been recently coming up to me making rude and personal comments about the way I am singing , I belong to a women's classical choir so I am used to singing in a classical or operatic way , I always sing the hymns in a operatic tone. Some congregation members say I need to sing less operatically and sing with a more "white, floaty, churchy sound, I'm much less convinced of my technique when singing in a non-operatic way I don't like how my voice sounds when singing in a non-operatic way i mean i don't sing in a full belting opera voice, i sing in quiet mezzo soprano voice that is my range. I have noticed quite a lot of the women also that attend seem to as well, I just feel most comfortable singing operatically surely at the end of day we sing hymns to praise god why does it matter how I sing why is this affecting other congregation members why do they have issues with it any help.

Anthony2019 · Mar 31, 2019

I personally love it when people sing using the proper classical style! I thank God for people like you who are truly gifted with a special singing ability. You just carry on singing the way you do - it doesn't matter what other people think!

Ken C. · Mar 31, 2019

Megan Furlong said:
I attend church quite often. It is a small village church with a very small congregation. I have noticed whenever we sing the hymns some members of the congregation have been recently coming up to me making rude and personal comments about the way I am singing , I belong to a women's classical choir so I am used to singing in a classical or operatic way , I always sing the hymns in a operatic tone. Some congregation members say I need to sing less operatically and sing with a more "white, floaty, churchy sound, I'm much less convinced of my technique when singing in a non-operatic way I don't like how my voice sounds when singing in a non-operatic way i mean i don't sing in a full belting opera voice, i sing in quiet mezzo soprano voice that is my range. I have noticed quite a lot of the women also that attend seem to as well, I just feel most comfortable singing operatically surely at the end of day we sing hymns to praise god why does it matter how I sing why is this affecting other congregation members why do they have issues with it any help.

Hi Megan,
I learned to sing bass while in glee club in middle school and later in high school. While my mom was alive, I remember sitting beside her in church.
She would sing alto and I would sing bass. We made some nice harmony together. We were worshipping. Well, I still sing bass and I will notice some glances from others. I'm not singing to them but to the Lord because I'm worshipping and so are you. Keep singing sister!

Hank77 · Mar 31, 2019

Megan Furlong said:
I need to sing less operatically and sing with a more "white, floaty, churchy sound,

What is a 'white' churchy sound?

Megan Furlong · Mar 31, 2019

Hank77 said:
What is a 'white' churchy sound?

I don't know

Megan Furlong · Mar 31, 2019

Anthony2019 said:
I personally love it when people sing using the proper classical style! I thank God for people like you who are truly gifted with a special singing ability. You just carry on singing the way you do - it doesn't matter what other people think!

Megan Furlong · Mar 31, 2019

god bless

A_Thinker · Mar 31, 2019

Megan Furlong said:
I attend church quite often. It is a small village church with a very small congregation. I have noticed whenever we sing the hymns some members of the congregation have been recently coming up to me making rude and personal comments about the way I am singing , I belong to a women's classical choir so I am used to singing in a classical or operatic way , I always sing the hymns in a operatic tone. Some congregation members say I need to sing less operatically and sing with a more "white, floaty, churchy sound, I'm much less convinced of my technique when singing in a non-operatic way I don't like how my voice sounds when singing in a non-operatic way i mean i don't sing in a full belting opera voice, i sing in quiet mezzo soprano voice that is my range. I have noticed quite a lot of the women also that attend seem to as well, I just feel most comfortable singing operatically surely at the end of day we sing hymns to praise god why does it matter how I sing why is this affecting other congregation members why do they have issues with it any help.

I've sung in church and in choirs for about 50 years now, and I think I've learned one thing that might help.

When singing with a group, part of my task is to sing with the group (i.e. to blend). Such is a feature of group singing ... and is a sweet savor to God in itself ...

Handmaid for Jesus · Mar 31, 2019

Megan Furlong said:
I attend church quite often. It is a small village church with a very small congregation. I have noticed whenever we sing the hymns some members of the congregation have been recently coming up to me making rude and personal comments about the way I am singing , I belong to a women's classical choir so I am used to singing in a classical or operatic way , I always sing the hymns in a operatic tone. Some congregation members say I need to sing less operatically and sing with a more "white, floaty, churchy sound, I'm much less convinced of my technique when singing in a non-operatic way I don't like how my voice sounds when singing in a non-operatic way i mean i don't sing in a full belting opera voice, i sing in quiet mezzo soprano voice that is my range. I have noticed quite a lot of the women also that attend seem to as well, I just feel most comfortable singing operatically surely at the end of day we sing hymns to praise god why does it matter how I sing why is this affecting other congregation members why do they have issues with it any help.

You didn't say if you were singing with the choir ;so if it is congregational singing of the hymn, maybe some people are put off with the operatic. But I would just ignore them and continue to sing.

Anhelyna · Mar 31, 2019

Welcome to CF Megan :wave:

Are you part of the Choir in your Church ? Have you spoken to the Choir Leader/director/chanter about this ?

BTW - there is a board specifically aimed at Orthodox Christians The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox

Do come and join us there

GreekOrthodox · Mar 31, 2019

Is this at an EO parish?

trophy33 · Mar 31, 2019

When the whole congregation sign in a similar tone and style and somebody start to sing like if it was an opera or something, it can be and is very intrusive.

Also, bear in mind that opera singing is unpleasant for most of ordinary people, its not mainstream. Its like if somebody start some metal chant or hip hop rhymes during the common singing.

So, I think you should accomodate to the rest or simply sing silently.

You can use your opera skills in some solo performance, if you desire to be heard.

miamited · Mar 31, 2019

Hi megan,

It's all about your heart when singing. I also sing loud and harmonize and I have been told a time or two that my singing is 'bothersome' by one or two. I always tell them that I appreciate their participation in singing, but I'm not singing to them. I am, per the Scriptures, making what is in my heart a joyful noise unto the Lord!

God bless,
In Christ, ted

Dave-W · Mar 31, 2019

Hank77 said:
What is a 'white' churchy sound?

Hick. Backwoods. Near-miss harmony.

Oldmantook · Mar 31, 2019

Hank77 said:
What is a 'white' churchy sound?

It's the opposite of black gospel. Just kidding of course but it makes you wonder when church people are more focused on how someone sounds when singing, instead of the heart of a person's worship.

Cheryl6397 · Mar 31, 2019

Megan Furlong said:
I attend church quite often. It is a small village church with a very small congregation. I have noticed whenever we sing the hymns some members of the congregation have been recently coming up to me making rude and personal comments about the way I am singing , I belong to a women's classical choir so I am used to singing in a classical or operatic way , I always sing the hymns in a operatic tone. Some congregation members say I need to sing less operatically and sing with a more "white, floaty, churchy sound, I'm much less convinced of my technique when singing in a non-operatic way I don't like how my voice sounds when singing in a non-operatic way i mean i don't sing in a full belting opera voice, i sing in quiet mezzo soprano voice that is my range. I have noticed quite a lot of the women also that attend seem to as well, I just feel most comfortable singing operatically surely at the end of day we sing hymns to praise god why does it matter how I sing why is this affecting other congregation members why do they have issues with it any help.

Ohh I would love to hear you sing

TuxAme · Mar 31, 2019

I feel like I'm a bad singer, but I sing anyways (when I'm not too self conscious to do so). This is the voice that God gave me, so whatever anybody thinks of it, I'm going to use that voice to participate in worship.

Similarly, for someone who's a talented singer but chooses to sing differently than others- go for it. Don't feel that you have to be "acceptable" to everyone else, or that your style has to "fit in" with others. If you're receiving comments on it (good or bad), then I'm tempted to say that your fellow congregants are focusing too much on the flesh than the spirit, and that's their problem, not yours.

royal priest · Mar 31, 2019

God's worship needs less saccharine and more majesty. He is worthy of all of our exhuberance. Shall we offer sacrifices of praise that cost us nothing? Give it all you've got, sister, to the praise of His almighty, glorious name!
Revelation 5:12
They sang with a loud voice, "Worthy is the lamb who was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise!"

Presbyterian Continuist · Mar 31, 2019

We have a visiting preacher who is tone deaf, but he sings anyway and actually leads the final hymn after preaching! Once, a song was really anointed and he actually sang in tune!

My father was tone-deaf but he loved to sing, and I didn't know the true tunes to many of the songs he sang until I grew up and heard them on the radio. But sometimes I preferred his versions (because he sang from his heart), and his grandchildren loved his singing. Despite being tone-deaf, he gave us a love for music and singing, and I have sung in a church choir, learned several string instruments; and my brother became a professional popular rock singer and made several records, one being a national hit!

miggles · Sep 10, 2019

Megan Furlong said:
I attend church quite often. It is a small village church with a very small congregation. I have noticed whenever we sing the hymns some members of the congregation have been recently coming up to me making rude and personal comments about the way I am singing , I belong to a women's classical choir so I am used to singing in a classical or operatic way , I always sing the hymns in a operatic tone. Some congregation members say I need to sing less operatically and sing with a more "white, floaty, churchy sound, I'm much less convinced of my technique when singing in a non-operatic way I don't like how my voice sounds when singing in a non-operatic way i mean i don't sing in a full belting opera voice, i sing in quiet mezzo soprano voice that is my range. I have noticed quite a lot of the women also that attend seem to as well, I just feel most comfortable singing operatically surely at the end of day we sing hymns to praise god why does it matter how I sing why is this affecting other congregation members why do they have issues with it any help.

it sounds like they might be jealous.

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