Now I know it wasn't meant maliciously, but I take exception to the assertion that "many altos are chicken sopranos". I am a first alto, meaning a high alto, so OK, I could probably sing soprano if I had to, but it would be an un-natural use of my voice and I'd never get to use those neat chesty notes I have. None of the altos I've met in various choirs has been afraid of singing higher, although sometimes we do fear for our eardrums when the sopranos start those high descants. :-)

The biggest bonus of singing alto is that it has given me a wonderful appreciation of harmony. Kris - you, your grandma and your daughter are very lucky to be altos. Think of how boring music would be if everyone sang melody.

When I do sing folk stuff solo, I usually have to transpose down a couple of keys - thank the muses for computer programs that do it for me now!