@irina @quidcumque Too true: lose the enthusiasm and their best voice will never come.

@irina @quidcumque sounds about right, but exceptions happen and everyone changes at different times. Those who sing elsewhere as well could maintain larger ranges even then. Injuries and illnesses may also force sudden and/or permanent changes.

Best approach is matching individuals to vocal parts more on the basis of their voice and less on their… well… parts.

@quidcumque Yep and there is already a well-established solution.

You probably know, but (Western at least) musical scores have had the soprano/mezzosoprano/treble/alto/contralto/countertenor/tenor/bass/contrabass etc. labels for vocal ranges for centuries.

It's almost as if we knew different people have different vocal ranges and these may change (indeed, most trebles eventually break to tenor or bass)…

…for centuries…

…and yet…