For Singers

Chorus America champions the dedicated choral singer by developing online resources and tools to advance skills and promoting connections between singers. We recognize that choral singing is the most popular form of participation in the performing arts, that choral singers are active and engaged citizens, and that children who sing have greater academic success and social skills.

Articles

On Tour with the Eric Whitacre Singers

On Tour with the Eric Whitacre Singers

Kelsey Menehan | Audiences, Conducting, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Venue

The Eric Whitacre Singers recently made its debut U.S. tour in March, organized and presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY.) Chorus America asked four of the Singers to provide some insight into life on the road, performing in American venues, and working with a choral "rock star."    Read more

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A National Library of Men's Choral Music

A National Library of Men's Choral Music

Michael Doan | Composing/Commissioning, History, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Technology

As all-male colleges went coed in the 1970s, they left something important behind: their music. The Washington Men's Camerata is working to preserve this historic resource. Read more

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Singing and Healthy Children

Singing and Healthy Children

Kelsey Menehan | Children/Youth, Education, Health, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Schools, Singing

Participating in a chorus can have a transformative effect on a child’s academic achievement and overall well-being. Read more

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Singing and Healthy Aging

Singing and Healthy Aging

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Health, Performance, Singing

Whether taking up a new activity or continuing a lifelong practice, older adults who sing are reaping a host of social and health benefits. Read more

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Singing and Psychological Well-being

Singing and Psychological Well-being

Kelsey Menehan | Health, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Research/Data, Singing

The power of group singing to elevate mood and forge relationships can help people weather challenges and face life’s ups and downs. Read more

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Singing at the Threshold

Singing at the Threshold

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Community Outreach, Health, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Singing

A growing movement to bring singing into hospice and hospital settings eases end-of-life transitions for patients and their families. Read more

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Let’s Get Physical: Singing and Disease-Specific Therapy

Let’s Get Physical: Singing and Disease-Specific Therapy

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Health, Impact/Value, Singing

Singing has been found to be a potentially potent treatment for a wide variety of conditions, both alleviating symptoms and providing patients with a sense of positivity and community. Read more

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Conductor's Corner: Tips for Healthy Rehearsals

Conductor's Corner: Tips for Healthy Rehearsals

Kelsey Menehan | Conducting, Health, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

As wonderful and therapeutic as choral singing can be, the rehearsal process is sometimes stressful for both singers and conductors. Here are a few ideas for creating a hospitable and healthy space that enhances the body, mind, and spirit of all involved.  Read more

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Member Spotlight; Melinda Pollack-Harris, Sing to Live Community Chorus, Chicago

Member Spotlight; Melinda Pollack-Harris, Sing to Live Community Chorus, Chicago

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Community Outreach, General, Health, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Singing, Volunteer

When Melinda Pollack-Harris was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she needed music to face the challenge. That was the inspiration for Sing to Live Community Chorus for women, loved ones, and friends touched by cancer. Read more

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Choruses and Community Wellness

Choruses and Community Wellness

Don Lee | Audiences, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Health, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Singing

How can we share the wellness benefits of choral singing with a broader community? A growing number of choral leaders are looking at ways to extend the group singing experience beyond the concert hall. Read more

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Resources

Warm-Ups for What Ails You: Tuning Problems

Warm-Ups for What Ails You: Tuning Problems

Rebecca Achenbach | Singing, Technique/Tool

Improve your intonation with these exercises from choral conductor and voice teacher Rebecca Achenbach. Read more

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Warm-Ups for What Ails You: Vocal Fatigue

Warm-Ups for What Ails You: Vocal Fatigue

Rebecca Achenbach | Singing, Technique/Tool

Choral conductor and voice teacher Rebecca Achenbach offers simple warm-up exercises to help you keep singing and singing. Read more

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Kent Tritle on Monteverdi Vespers

Kent Tritle on Monteverdi Vespers

Kent Tritle | Conducting, Performance, Repertoire

Conductor Kent Tritle, who conducted Monteverdi's Vespers at the 2011 Berkshire Choral Festival, offers his insights on the challenges of singing this seminal choral work. Read more

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Kent Tritle: Choral Singing Is a "Health Club for the Soul"

Kent Tritle: Choral Singing Is a "Health Club for the Soul"

Kent Tritle | Health, Singing

Conductor Kent Tritle talks about power of choral music to change the world, the importance of taking choral music "into the trenches," and how older singers can keep their voices healthy and strong over many years of singing. Read more

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Virtual Voice Lesson: Singing Legato

Virtual Voice Lesson: Singing Legato

Shauna Fallihee | Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

In a series of video lessons, soprano soloist and voice teacher Shauna Fallihee guides you in the essential steps to freeing your natural voice and singing with ease. Read more

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Warm Up with the San Francisco Festival Chorale

Warm Up with the San Francisco Festival Chorale

Jimmy Kansau | Singing, Technique/Tool

Are you tired of the same rehearsal warm-ups every week? Do you want to try some different exercises for a change? Sing along with the San Francisco Festival Chorale. Read more

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Virtual Voice Lesson: Getting to Know Your Instrument

Virtual Voice Lesson: Getting to Know Your Instrument

Shauna Fallihee | Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

In a series of video lessons, soprano soloist and voice teacher Shauna Fallihee guides you in the essential steps to freeing your natural voice and singing with ease. Read more

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How Massage Can Benefit Singers

How Massage Can Benefit Singers

Chorus America Staff | Health, Singing

Have you ever considered that singing can be a remarkably athletic activity? According to Beth Keltz, a licensed massage therapist, singing requires just as much athleticism as playing baseball or football. Beth and colleague Carly Greenwood, who work with the singers at the Berkshire Choral Festival, explain the benefits of massage for singers. Read more

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Soloist Contract

Soloist Contract

Chorus America Staff | Legal/Licensing, Operations, Performance, Sample/Template

Use this basic sample letter of agreement to hire vocal or instrumental soloists (or a guest ensemble). Read more

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Singer Information Form

Singer Information Form

Chorus America Staff | Operations, Recruitment, Sample/Template, Singing

Use this template as a guide for collecting useful information about new and returning singers during auditions. Read more

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Events

German Masterpieces: Calmus Ensemble Leipzig in Washington DC on route to the Great Performers Series at Lincoln Center

German Masterpieces: Calmus Ensemble Leipzig in Washington DC on route to the Great Performers Series at Lincoln Center

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

classicalmovements | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Community Outreach, Diversity, Education, Families, Impact/Value, Performance, Professional, Repertoire, Schools, Singing

  Flawless. Glorious. CALMUS.  “precise intonation, impeccable blending and vocal beauty.”- The Salt Lake City Tribune Read more

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Lenten Reflection: Stabat Mater

Lenten Reflection: Stabat Mater

520 N. Bloulevard, Richmond VA 23220

Nan Hall | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Conducting, Education, Families, General, Impact/Value, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Volunteer

Dvorak's cantata  gives significant meaning to Good Friday and Mary's despair at the loss of her Son. Read more

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Ivan Fischer Conducts St. Matthew's Passion with the Orchestra of St. Luke's

Ivan Fischer Conducts St. Matthew's Passion with the Orchestra of St. Luke's

57th Street and 7th Avenue, New York City

Orchestra of St... | Performance

FISCHER CONDUCTS ST. MATTHEW PASSION PERFORMERS Iván Fischer, conductor Orchestra of St. Luke's Musica Sacra Read more

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battle hymns

battle hymns

San Francisco, CA

Alan Kleinschmidt | Audiences

The must-see event of the spring arts season is a major collaboration between four performing arts groups, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with performances of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang’s masterful choral and dance piece battle hymns.  Commissioned and premiered in Philadelphia in 2009, battle hymns has never been performed since, owing to its unusual and complex demands.   Read more

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San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Presents "Mystic Voices"

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Presents "Mystic Voices"

101 Foothill Blvd., Monrovia, CA 91016

San Gabriel Val... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, CA News, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, General, Performance, Repertoire, Singing

"Our 'Mystic Voices' concert explores themes of mysticism and spirituality in three parts,” said SGVCC’s Artistic Director Zanaida Robles. “Part one serves as an invocation, featuring music of various composers that invite listeners to be still, to be open, and to be transported. Part two features 'Five Mystical Songs' by Ralph Vaughan Williams - the main course in this feast of music and mysticism.  Part three is an affirmation of the spirit in a mix of African American spirituals and gospel music." Read more

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Registration Open for Encore Creativity for Older Adults Summer Institutes at Chautauqua

Registration Open for Encore Creativity for Older Adults Summer Institutes at Chautauqua

Chautauqua, NY

Jeanne Kelly | Adults/Seniors, Participation, Performance, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing

Encore Creativity for Older Adults returns to Chautauqua for the 6th year to present the Summer Institutes for Adults 55+.  Three concurrent tracks in Choral singing, Movement and Theatre.  Visit www.encorecreativity.org for more information and to register. Read more

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Coro Allegro ... in time of war

Coro Allegro ... in time of war

Cambridge, MA

Coro Allegro |

Coro Allegro, a chorus for members and friends of the LGBT communities, affirms, strengthens, and enriches the lives of its members and the broader community through the presentation of outstanding performances of classical choral music. Read more

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Registration Open for Encore Creativity for Older Adults Summer Choral Institute

Registration Open for Encore Creativity for Older Adults Summer Choral Institute

Historic St. Mary's City, MD

Jeanne Kelly | Adults/Seniors, Performance, Singing

Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nations largest and fastest growing choral program for adults age 55+ has opened registration for their 6th Annual Summer Choral Institute at St. Mary's College of Maryland to be held June 18-22, 2013.  Read more

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ProMusica Arizona presents "A Night with Stradivarius"

ProMusica Arizona presents "A Night with Stradivarius"

Phoenix, Arizona

yvonne dolby | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General

ProMusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra(PMAZ) is partnering with celebrated violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn to present “A Night with Stradivarius.”  The signature artist performs in partnership with one of the world’s most legendary instruments, the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius of 1720, said to have inspired the Academy Award-winning film “The Red Violin.” The event is a milestone for PMAZ—the group’s first concert in Phoenix’s beautiful and historic Orpheum Theatre, as well as its first collaboration with an artist whose performance credits include the great concert halls of the world. The concert is also the first appearance by the artist in Arizona.            Read more

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ProMusica Arizona presents "A Night with Stradivarius"

ProMusica Arizona presents "A Night with Stradivarius"

Phoenix, Arizona

yvonne dolby | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, General

ProMusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra(PMAZ) is partnering with celebrated violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn to present “A Night with Stradivarius.”  The signature artist performs in partnership with one of the world’s most legendary instruments, the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius of 1720, said to have inspired the Academy Award-winning film “The Red Violin.” The event is a milestone for PMAZ—the group’s first concert in Phoenix’s beautiful and historic Orpheum Theatre, as well as its first collaboration with an artist whose performance credits include the great concert halls of the world. The concert is also the first appearance by the artist in Arizona.            Read more

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Dialogue

Questions During Rehearsal?

Questions During Rehearsal?

Anonymous | Rehearsal, Singing

Singers, does your conductor allow questions during rehearsal? What are the pros and cons from your perspective? Read more

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