Mary Killen Mary Killen

Dear Mary: How can I stop my neighbour making weird noises when he exercises in the garden?

issue 19 October 2019

Q. I sing soprano in a small church choir, ten to 12 singers. The woman I am placed next to sings all of her high notes horribly flat, and I find it challenging to stay in tune myself. I have thought of moving but the choir is so small that such a manoeuvre would be pointed and in any case another soprano has beaten me to that strategy. My husband says the problem can be addressed only by the new choir director (who so far has done nothing) and I must remain silent. Your thoughts?
— C.E., California

A. Why not put an earplug in only one ear? Or find a way, while chatting casually to both soprano and choirmaster, to suggest that as she has such a good lower register, has she thought of singing alto? In this way you will put the choirmaster on the spot while apparently issuing a compliment to your tormentor.

Q.

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