Real Men Don't Use the Treble Clef

In the grand scheme of things, this might not be very important, but it's so insanely stupid that I felt I had to bring it up:

From the LA Times

Texas hits a low note

Here it is, the new definition of gender, coming to you oh-so-straight from Texas: Real boys don't sing soprano.

Boys cannot audition for soprano or alto roles in that state's All-State Choir. Girls cannot audition for tenor or bass. No matter where their talents lie.

As a result, 17-year-old Mikhael Rawls, who already has won awards for his countertenor — the male parallel to soprano — can't try out in the part where he excels.

That rule was made by the Texas Music Educators Assn. You would think music teachers would know that countertenors such as Mikhael are a widely respected part of classical music and tradition.

...

The organization says the rules prevent youngsters from damaging their voices by singing out of their appropriate ranges. They are right that kids should sing in their natural voices. For some girls, that's tenor, and for some boys, alto; for a few boys like Mikhael, it includes the high notes. He has been singing soprano parts as the only boy in his high school's a cappella choir. Boys will indeed be boys — soprano or bass.

We hope Mikhael goes on to success as a countertenor — and honors his open-minded high school by helping other young singers.

His family has been contacted by lawyers eager to file a discrimination suit. Here's the stranger part of the tale: His mother has declined, saying she doesn't think lawsuits are the right way to handle every disagreement.

To which we can say only: Bravo!

As a serious fan of classical music (including Baroque opera) I can tell you that such a decision can only stem from both a complete ignorance of musical history and an extreme paranoia about how thickness of vocal cords relates to sexuality. Also, they seem to be unaware that many high-lying Handel and Vivaldi roles are still male characters, making this whole scheme counter-productive.

So goodbye, David Daniels, Andreas Scholl, Angelo Manzotti , and so many others. it was fun hearing you sing 'Va Tacito', but I guess now Julius Caesar will have to be sung by a woman.