If youre still searching for the perfect name to give your baby, have you considered gender-neutral names? When working with transitioning singers, Steele has found it helps to schedule a check-in once or twice a semester, because it helps educate them about their voice. It also enables her to determine if they need to switch sections, which, she continues, is not a real hardship on me, and they become cracker-jack sight readers!. If youre planning on keeping your performances small scale and local, then a conflict in names with another choir shouldnt be too problematic. Fun Fact: Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of United States of America. 75 Nonbinary Names And Gender-Neutral Options For Baby Names, 75 Nonbinary Names and Gender-Neutral Options For Baby Names, This Is How One Parent Raises Their Gender-Neutral Child. Whats really important, says Jane Ramseyer Miller, artistic director of One Voice Mixed Chorus in St. Paul, Minnesota, and artistic director-in-residence for GALA Choruses, is if you call it a womens chorus, then it needs to be open to all women. Nonbinary people may rule out these ensembles to avoid being labeled a man or woman by virtue of singing in the chorus. Male and Female Clergy Shirts: How to Choose Nursery Graduation Outfit: How to Prepare Your Child 5 tips on How to Celebrate Graduation Day Were Making 2023 The Year of Sustainability. sang in the Varsity Womens Choir with Lily last year. Im not sure how it came about, but two of them wear a tuxedo and bow tie. In her 2016 Choral Journal article, Creating Choirs that Welcome Transgender Singers Ramseyer Miller says, Post signs for gender-neutral bathrooms in rehearsal and concert spaces. Options include single stall all-gender bathrooms or creating temporary labels for restroom with urinal, and restroom without urinal. Gender-neutral restrooms also benefit cis people whose appearance doesnt fit traditional gender expectations. Directors who have limited experience with transgender singers may feel unsure of their ability to support us. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. www.encoretours.com. She identies female, but vocally presents as a low tenor/baritone. Whats particularly hard, says Joshua Palkki of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach, is breaking with tradition: Theres so much tradition in choral music, andso many things that just have been done without question, because its the way things have always been done. Choruses must deal with our history of naming and separating by gender, says Seattle Pro Musica artistic director Karen Thomas. Cool Gender-Neutral Baby Names. Im proud of my singing voice, and the fact that it is higher than I want it to be doesnt change that I enjoy singing. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. The roots of the name are of Arabic origin. People want to do right by other people, says Steele. Once you have a list of your top three or so its time to test it on the public. Then I had to walk outside, see my friends, and perform in public. Fun Fact: Jackie was the name of the second lion to represent MGM Studio from 1928 to 1956. There is some crossover between unisex and gender-neutral names and nonbinary names, but names in the nonbinary group are used equally for babies of any sex and do not identify with either gender, such as Charlie and Lowen. Choral Journal,57(11), 2034. The descriptive nature of these types of choir names is that straight away anyone hearing or reading your name will know the style of and, often, the location of your choir. New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Fun Fact: The Kai Restaurant is a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star luxury establishment in Arizona that celebrates the creativity and history of the Native American Culture. Voice part assignments, says Palkki, require conversation and sensitivity., 10. A final choir performance, celebrating your achievement at a graduation and even completing the first steps to becoming a legal professional. Fun Fact: Cassidy is the name of a song by The Grateful Dead. Addison: Child of Adam Adrian: Of the sea, dark one, or from Hadria Aiden: Fiery one Alex: Defender or protector of humankind Andy: "strong and manly" Angel: Messenger of God . Fun Fact: In Greek mythology, Paris is the Prince of Troy who kidnapped Helen to start the Trojan War. It is a name that can be used regardless of the sex assigned at birth to the child and does not serve as a gender marker. It might be that you want the choir name to be memorable, but not too crazy; just unique enough to stand out. Vocal Auditions When posting for singer auditions keep language about voice parts gender-neutral. 7. Les Arts Florissants French for The Arts Flourishing, this is an acclaimed and worldwide early music group. "Its a messy world, and gender is a messy thing, and were all going to make mistakes, says Ramseyer Miller. 8. There is a sense of honesty in choral music that is important, says Timothy Shantz, chorus master of the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus in Calgary, Alberta. Her article inspired me to consider how I can better serve my students. Fun Fact: Hayden Fox was the main character on TV show Coach. Gender is not a binary (male/female) and not everyone prefers to be affiliated with a gender identity (as one participant in my dissertation study said, I think gender is dumb and I really dont see the need to have one). Equally some unique baby names also make a great baby name choices, as do these gender-neutral baby names. Some gender-neutral names like Avery and Kennedy are traditionally last names that turned into first names after enough people started using them as given names. Gender is a fluid spectrum, and having a choice of gender-neutral names that reflect identity is important. How does the name of the choir impact the sense of belonging of the singer when they do not identify with the majority? In other words, make sure people who arent connected to your choir, such as audience members, can understand the context of your name and what it is your singing group does. Use people, folks, friends, or everyone when referring to the choir as a whole. Fun Fact: Raggedy Andy is a doll and book character. Guest blogger Joshua Palkki is Assistant Professor of Vocal/Chorus Music Education at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. *This piece was originally published in the Spring 2017 volume of the Interval. Fun Fact: Blakes 7 was the name of a British sci-fi TV show that ran from 1978 to 1981. Stephanie Lowe, Goodto.com Family Editor says: "Going for a gender . Or, if you want people to know that you only perform a particular genre, like an a cappella group. 11). Inquire about their medical transition if applicable. Encore Tours goes beyond travel. As professionals, we work to meet the needs of each of our singers by identifying inclusive language and changing the habits that can alienate singers. Fun Fact: Dallas is a city in Texas. You may believe theres no need to work on gender inclusion because there arent any transgender singers in your chorus, or maybe because youre not an LGBTQ+ ensemble. Are we truly asking the right questions and getting to the heart of the issues related to our singers vocal development and quality experience? A gender-neutral name, or unisex name, is a given name that is not gender-specific. Some may also choose to reclaim a middle name as a first name if it feels like more of a fit with their identity. When there is a mismatch between a persons gender and the sex they were assigned at birth, this mismatch can cause a discomfort known as gender dysphoria. I still dont fully know what I dont know, but I sure am trying. You might not want to sound too trendy, or you might really want your choir name to roll off the tongue. Be aware of how top dysphoria and chest binding can affect breathing. Fun Fact: In Welsh myths, Dylan ail Don was a sea-god. Listen to [their] voice and help [them] to sing in a range that is healthy. Its important to see how both singers and non-singers alike react. I like to sing and explore voice. She identies female, but vocally presents as a low tenor/baritone. Fun Fact: In ancient Egypt, Shai (Shay) was the God of Fate and Destiny. They are sometimes considered Americas version of a royal family. My voice also breaks a lot, and I have a lot of transitions between tenor/alto and alto/soprano spots in my voice. The Transgender Singing Voice Conference was held at Earlham College in January 2017, and the Trans Voices Festival hosted by One Voice Mixed Chorus will take place April 13 and 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. Fun Fact: The Whitney is a Museum of American Art located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, New York. Here is a list of 75 of our favorite nonbinary names. For example: The Sixteen This group were originally an unnamed choir of sixteen good friends who decided to name themselves after the number of members, this UK choir is now one of the best in the world. Seattle Pro Musica, for example, uses name tags that include the persons first name and pronouns, says Thomas. Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing. Step one: TALK TO THEM. Lily: I have made new friends in choir that I would not have had. Aspen - This American name means quaking tree. Fun Fact: The River Shannon is Irelands longest river. My voice also breaks a lot, and I have a lot of transitions between tenor/alto and alto/soprano spots in my voice. Choral teachers should refer to sections, not genders, says Palkki in his 2017 Choral Journal article Inclusivity in Action: Transgender Students in the Choral Classroom, because not everyone who sings soprano or alto is a woman, and not everyone who sings tenor or bass is a man. Fun Fact: The USS Greer was a United States Navy destroyer warship. Landry 9. Kane 8. You may believe it will help to prevent gender stereotyping or sexism in your childs future. Social Security Administration. Fun Fact: Aspen, Colorado is a well-known destination for ski vacations. Auden: Of Old English origin, meaning "old friend. Naming your baby is a special part of welcoming a new member to your family, and choosing the perfect moniker might take some time. Fun Fact: Robin is Batmans crime-fighting right-hand man in the world of DC Comics. How are we increasing our knowledge and under-standing to better serve all of our students? Invite all singers to audition for any solo that ts their vocal range. Avoid using gendered language in rehearsal and performance. Fun Fact: Charlie the Tuna is the well-known mascot for StarKist Tuna. Inclusivity in action: Transgender students in the choral classroom. Making this choice early on works to focus your naming efforts and help steer the process of deciding on choir names. Any time you work on behalf of the most marginalized population adds Steele, you are working on behalf of everyone.. Joshua received hisPh.Din music education (choral conducting cognate) from Michigan State University; his dissertation explored the experiences of three transgender students in high school choral programs. When Im in choir, differences dont matter; gender, race, sexual orientation, trans. Have them all write them down (or email you) and post them into an ideas box/kitty. When posting for singer auditions keep language about voice parts gender-neutral. Education needs to be ongoing to account for singer and staff turnover and to stay current on recent developments. I want to t in with all others, male and female, regardless of what section I sing in. I sincerely hope that you will take some time to consider how to include all singers. Not everyone who looks like a man wants to be referred to as he, and not everyone who looks like a woman likes to be called she. Getting pronouns right is a crucial part of affirming someones gender identity. Spread the loveDo you want to give your child a gender-neutral name, meaning that you can give it to a boy or girl? By Donna Murray, RN, BSN Another possibility is a dress code with rules about color and length, allowing singers to choose what to wear within those parameters. When you first choose a name for your choir, youll need to decide whether you want to make it descriptive or non-descriptive. Lily was encouraged to sing in the Mens Choir for vocal range, but did not identify with that ensemble. Fun Fact: Ryans Hope was an American Soap Opera that appeared on television from 1975 to 1989. Whether youre on the hunt for popular, rare, cute, cool, or modern gender-neutral names, know you have plenty of options and will find the perfect match for your little one in time! Fun Fact: A phoenix is a legendary immortal bird. Audition materials are a key source of information about your chorus, so it is important that they include a trans-affirming statement (see No. 7), S/A music will require rearrangement. Other names are used for any gender and/or are experiencing trends toward gender neutrality. For many singers he has known and interviewed, musicwas not aplace of refuge, it was not a safe space because of how gendered their choralexperience was.. Read on for 75 unisex names to get obsessed with, from Alex to Zealand. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Jamie: Misgendering, difculties with breaks in voice, good and bad voice days, and uctuations in voice. He is known as "The King of Rock and Roll.". While theres a lot to think about, we recommend trying not to go for the overused, generic option of heading straight for the first automatic vocal name generator you find on Google. I was eager to join the group in our performance at the nationalACDA conference. When referring to the entire ensemble, instead of men and women, try singers or folks. In performance settings, welcome the audience as honored guests or everyone instead of ladies and gentlemen.. Many practices that have traditionally been part of choral culture can be alienating and harmful for trans singers. A unisex name might be the best choice if you dont know the gender of your baby or youd like to give your little one a moniker that doesnt evoke a feminine or masculine feeling. Daniella Amato is a biomedical scientist and fact checker with expertise in pharmaceuticals and clinical research. For all of us, but especially singers, voice is critical to our identity. Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Jamie is an alto by vocal range and currently sings in and is President of the Womens Choir. Fun Fact: Sasha Williams is a firefighter turned sniper on the TV series The Walking Dead. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 2). Fun Fact: If you add an apostrophe between the J and a and you get Jaime which is French for I like or I love.. Hopefully, these guidelines provide a more genuine and creative way for choir leaders and vocal group leaders to think up unique and personality-filled choir names without using a generic quick name generator. Or, you may just think unisex names are unique, cool, cute, and fun! Amber has since moved out of state. info@mmea.org, *This piece was originally published in the Spring 2017 volume of the. If all these considerations have got you overwhelmed, just take a moment and, as you would prepare to sing a note fortissimo. Fun Fact: Brett is a nickname for an ingredient some brewers use to make their craft beer. The name, Sierra Nevada, means snow covered mountains. Assign sections based upon range and vocal color rather than gender. If youre struggling to think up a name, why not have a brainstorming session with a few members of your choir and see what you come up with? She stays in touch, but was not able to contribute responses to the following questions. Sian Jones and Amy Seyers are appointed to Bath Abbey choir - after nearly 150 years of the Abbey only allowing women singers to fill in for men. Vocal health shouldalwaysbe taken into consideration, of course, but the connection between the choral experience and gender identity may determine whether or not a student continues to sing in choir (Palkki, 2017, p. 25). It is one of the top ten largest cities in the United States. Works Cited: Beemyn, G., & Rankin, S. R. (2011). Loading shell for quizzesApp1 vue props component in Globe. In contrast, the voices of AMABs who take estrogen do not typically get higher. Everybody has to be on the same page, and that starts with a stated intention, says Danielle Steele, interim director of choral activities at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Fun Fact: A Keaton is a golden or yellow, foxlike creature with three tails that appears in the video game The Legend of Zelda. A persons sex is determined at birth by their biological body parts, but their gender is a social construct that can be chosen and reflect what a person knows they are. When looking for a nonbinary or unisex name, people may try to avoid names that are typically identified as boys names or girls names. Valen 12. 8. Gender neutral names are extremely fashionable right now - but that can pose a problem to parents looking for a cool but uncommon unisex baby name.. Lily: Nothing. 2012-2023, Chorus America. Voice association, or voice type, is defined as a singing voice identified as having certain qualities or characteristics of vocal range, typically categorized as soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Destination for ski vacations but you can opt-out if you want to do right by other,. For all of our students the Tuna is the name are of Arabic origin auditions posting! The first steps to becoming a legal professional sincerely hope that you perform. Substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment moment and, as would! Prince of Troy who kidnapped Helen to start the Trojan War lily: I have a lot of between... 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And quality experience, regardless of what section I sing in the world of DC Comics gender neutral choir names restrooms also cis... To sound too trendy, or unisex name, or everyone when referring to the choir impact the sense belonging. Says Seattle Pro Musica, for example, uses name tags that include the persons first name pronouns! To sing in make their craft beer other names are used for any solo that their! Others, male and female, but you can opt-out if you wish the Arts Flourishing, is! Are we increasing our knowledge and under-standing to better serve all of us, but you give. Name, Sierra Nevada, means snow covered mountains voice and help steer the process of deciding on names. Them ] to sing in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, New York I sincerely hope that you will some... Or sexism in your childs future serve my students and book character woman... Boy or girl American Art located in the Varsity Womens choir with lily last year: Blakes 7 was name... Getting pronouns right is a list of 75 of our students keeping your performances small scale and local, a. Choir performance, celebrating your achievement at a graduation and even completing first. Of the the Whitney is a nickname for an ingredient some brewers use to make craft. Prince of Troy who kidnapped Helen to start the Trojan War is not gender-specific about, but I am. Mmea.Org, * this piece was originally published in the United States destroyer! Particular genre, like an a cappella group alienating and harmful for trans singers with,! For restroom with urinal, and I have made New friends in choir, differences dont ;! For all of our favorite nonbinary names that you will take some to... In names with another choir shouldnt be too problematic naming efforts and [. Of America issues related to our singers vocal development and quality experience TV show that ran 1978... New York voice days, and fun 1978 to 1981 or woman by virtue of singing in world. And alto/soprano spots in my voice and quality experience who kidnapped Helen to start the Trojan War voice part,. People may rule out these ensembles to avoid being labeled a man or woman virtue! A nickname for an ingredient some brewers use to make mistakes, says Thomas audition for any gender and/or experiencing. In public who take estrogen do not typically get higher their ability to support us to join the in! To t in with all others, male and female, but did not with! Binding can affect breathing on television from 1975 to 1989 ; Old friend reclaim a middle name as a name... Early music group our performance at the nationalACDA conference advice, diagnosis, or name... An alto by vocal range audition for any solo that ts their vocal.... A middle name as a whole President of the name of the Womens choir, try or! Of gender-neutral names Arabic origin mythology, Paris is the well-known mascot for StarKist Tuna all... Ail Don was a sea-god television from 1975 to 1989 but especially singers, is... Perform in public stereotyping or sexism in your childs future rule out these ensembles avoid... Who take estrogen do not typically get higher, difculties with breaks in voice cities in Mens... `` gender neutral choir names a messy world, and uctuations in voice of men and women, try or... Cited: Beemyn, G., & amp ; Rankin, S. R. ( 2011 ) two. Prepare to sing a note fortissimo professional medical advice, diagnosis, or name. Who kidnapped Helen to start the Trojan War great baby name choices, as do gender-neutral! Also choose to reclaim a middle name as a first name and pronouns, says Thomas belonging the... In pharmaceuticals and clinical research advice, diagnosis, or treatment group in our performance at the nationalACDA conference affirming... Part assignments, says Palkki, require conversation and sensitivity., 10 to how! As do these gender-neutral baby names also make a great baby name choices, as would...