Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and this seems the most appropriate place to ask this question, as the Viva Voice section seems to be about more general singing.
I'm looking to find a traditional song for my Grade 8, for a tenor, with a good range, probably between the D below middle C to the E above.
Lower is fine, but not too much, I would have to strain for notes, which is obviously unsatisfactory.
If you find a piece, bear in mind my current programme;

Dowland - Flow My Tears
Schumann - Nachtlied
Vaughn Williams - The Vagabond
D piece is not chosen yet.

Thankyou in advance to anyone that helps, and sorry if this is in the wrong section, it seemed like the best place to me

Hello, and a hearty welcome to a fellow tenor!

I would advise you do actually post the query in Viva Voice - that's where the singing teachers and students regularly "pop in". There's a vast wealth of experience to tap into, and I will await the suggestions with interest.

One of my tenors sang The Ploughboy which can be found in Benjamin Btitten's Folksong Arrangements No. 3, British Isles. The top note is F and the bottom one D below Middle C in the written key of Bb major, but as you have to sing it unaccompanied, you would just sing it in a key suitable for you. If you are a tenor you should be able to manage the F.
Have a listen - it's the first two minutes of this, and once learnt it can become part of your accompanied repertoire as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDrA2hoNC10...feature=related

This sounds fantastic! I did the British Grenadiers for Grade 7, but that was when I was a treble, so obviously the arrangement doesn't fit anymore.
The range sounds good, I can definitely manage it.
Who is the publisher? Just because that's easier for me when ordering it from my local shop.
Thanks once again!

Publisher is Boosey & Hawkes. ISMN M-060-01435-2

I am currently* in possession of a very old and fragile book called

"The Songs of England
A collection of
English Melodies
including the most popular
Traditional Ditties
and the
Principal Songs and Ballads
of the last three centuries
edited with
New Symphonies and Accompaniments
by
J. L. Hatton"

This is the second edition, according to the Preface, but I can find no publication date. It would take AGES to reproduce the contents list, but it is fab :-) and the Ploughboy is in Bb ranging from C to F.

If you fancied something less jolly, what about "Tom Bowling"? (in Eb, Eb to G but could be transposed if nec.)

*borrowed from big sister, was in our piano stool for ever IIRC!

I perform Tom Bowling on a fairly regular basis, and go up to the top B flat. Great song.