1. tenor
2. mostly the older members sing in parts, many of the new converts or young do not unless it is a song that is easy for them to hear their "part" (such as Greatest Commands)
3. I learned at first by listening to cd's but have learned to sight read somewhat (by shape notes)
4. Yes and No--They need someone better to teach them as their teacher is more of a student (ME!), but I do try to have a singing each month dedicated to improving our singing and learning new songs.

We are realizing that most people are not trained in singing parts. Hence we have added a praise team with 3 singers per part using a good sound system. Most of the congregation who sing sing the lead. The better ones learn the parts; no music is given to the congregation for the new songs; song books are seldom used, most are in storage; only the better ears can pick up the tenor, alto and bass. This allows the many new visitors to the service to experience what they hear from their radio or other sound device minus the instruments. Visitors seem to really be attracted to this worship experience. No attempts are made to train members to sing. Youth and their parents are wanting to add instruments and use songs from the most popular list.

1) Do you sing bass, tenor, alto or soprano?

Yes. ;) Actually, I prefer to sing bass, but often sing tenor if it's a tenor part I really like (such as It Is Well with My Soul) or I don't hear any tenors and it's an important part (The New Song).

2) What percentage of your congregation sings in parts?

I'd say about half, mostly the people over age 40 or so (although several of the younger women and girls pick up the alto part). I'd say we're failing to get the young men/boys to learn parts.

3) If you learned to sing a part, how did you learn?

Mostly by listening to my dad and other men (but I usually sang the melody as a kid, occasionally alto, until my voice changed). And I learned to read music in school, so I was able to pick up sight reading.

4) Does your church offer ways for people to learn to sing?

Other than the Praise & Harmony workshops, not really. It comes so naturally to me that I don't really know how to teach singing.

We are southern Baptists, most of our congregation does not sing in parts. Only our choir does and maybe a few others. So i would say percentage wise.....about ten percent that i know of. I think our church is slowly moving in the direction of singing in parts and acappella style..i hope so at least.

tim magill
Kansas city, ks

I mostly sing soprano anymore, unless my voice is tired and then it's all alto. But I sit next to a very powerful tenor, so I've been known to sing along with him at times (especially when he's trying to be cute and sing alto).

I learned because I grew up in a church that sang mostly in parts. (College Church in Searcy, AR) I was in middle school choir trying to figure out this "sight reading" thing when I realized I knew the basics of it already. I just needed to learn the technicalities.

I would say of our current congregation probably 40-50% of them sing parts. And the only "training" would be the bi-yearly singing class that divides into parts. But most of those don't know what part they sing.

Interesting questions.

Hugs,
Melinda

1. If I am leading worship-- soprano (an octave lower than written); If I am in a mixed praise team or choir, either tenor or bass (my favorite); If in a male quartet or male praise team-- countertenor.
2. About half of our congregation sings in parts.
3. I learned parts by taking piano lessons and learning harmony from playing, then in band playing trumpet, then in school choir, and in church singing schools.
4. We have a Wednesday night class and practice that is used primarily to work on the service for the next sunday, and for special events, and it is open to all members. I have taught singing classes in the past, but am not doing so right now.

Do you sing bass, tenor, alto or soprano?
Tenor, when I'm not leading.

What percentage of your congregation sings in parts?
Probably around 50%

If you learned to sing a part, how did you learn?
I sang alto with my mother in before my voice changed, then switched to tenor. I gained additional skill by playing piano and clarinet, then focused sight-reading training in high-school choir and music theory class.

Does your church offer ways for people to learn to sing? We'll have a singing practice about once a quarter, and once a month we'll invite all who enjoy singing in to learn new songs. The songs that are rounds, or that add parts one at a time are easier to pick up. Occasionally, I will intro a new song by singing the melody once in unison, then splitting into parts one at a time.

Myqlj

Do you sing bass, tenor, alto or soprano?
i try to sing bass, but i think i am more of a baratone, because i can't stay up there with tenors.

What percentage of your congregation sings in parts?
maybe 15%. i think most sing the melody or what the song leader is singing.

If you learned to sing a part, how did you learn?
i learned in school, and i was in chorus from 6th grade to 9th grade.

Does your church offer ways for people to learn to sing?
we have a singing class, but it is basically the praise team practice.