[Menvi-discuss] question about hearing part in choir

[Kelsey Nicolay]

Hello,
I write with another choir question.  This semester, my school's 
women's chorus is singing two Renaissance pieces a capella.  The 
director wants the choir to sing them mixed up, meaning that you 
have to stand by someone who sings a different part than you.  In 
order for me to get my part, I need to stand between two people 
who are singing the same part of me and I mean the exact same 
part.  For example, my director has me singing alto 2 in choir 
for 4 part singing.  If there's an alto two on one side of me but 
I also sit next to an alto one, I can't get my part no matter how 
hard I listen.  My question is, is it unreasonable for me to tell 
my director I can't mix up like the other choir members because I 
can't get my part without having people around me singing it in 
my ear even though I do read Braille music? I would appreciate 
any help anyone could provide.
Thanks,