Q 01/05

Which Queen hit builds its mock-opera choir from about 180 overdubs of just three band members' voices?

A) Somebody to Love

B) Bohemian Rhapsody

C) We Are the Champions

D) Killer Queen

Answer · why

B) Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody took three weeks to record. Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor sang their parts again and again to build the sound of a ful...

Q 02/05

Which choir voice part is named from the Latin for 'high', although sopranos now sing above it?

A) Tenor

B) Baritone

C) Alto

D) Bass

Answer · why

C) Alto

Alto comes from the Latin altus, meaning high. In early choral writing it was the line set above the tenor, whose own name comes from the Latin for to...

Q 03/05

Which actress plays the lounge singer who hides in a convent and transforms its choir in Sister Act?

A) Bette Midler

B) Whoopi Goldberg

C) Vanessa Williams

D) Whitney Houston

Answer · why

B) Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg took the role after Bette Midler turned it down, fearing her fans would not want to see her play a nun.

Q 04/05

Which hymn was published in 1779 by John Newton, an English clergyman who had been a slave trader?

A) Amazing Grace

B) Rock of Ages

C) How Great Thou Art

D) Be Thou My Vision

Answer · why

A) Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace was written in late 1772 and was probably used for the first time at a meeting on 1 January 1773.

Q 05/05

Which city is home to the sailor-suited boys' choir that traces its history to Emperor Maximilian I in 1498?

A) Leipzig

B) Dresden

C) Salzburg

D) Vienna

Answer · why

D) Vienna

Vienna owes the choir to a 1498 letter telling court officials to hire a singing master, two basses and six boys. The sailor suits replaced a cadet un...