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

Spotlight on Eric Whitacre

Spotlight on Eric Whitacre

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Innovation, Profile, Repertoire, Singing

We take a look at the man behind the cluster chords: how Eric Whitacre arrived at a life in music, and the ups and downs he's encountered along the way. Read more

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Is Reflux Causing My Vocal Problems?

Is Reflux Causing My Vocal Problems?

Margaret Baroody | Health, Singing

Something is irritating your vocal cords and you think it might be reflux. Vocal health expert Margaret Baroody gives us her take on the situation, along with treatment advice. Read more

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How Do I Control My Voice Break?

How Do I Control My Voice Break?

Chorus America Staff | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Many singers have trouble navigating through the passaggio easily. Three veteran vocal experts from the Washington Vocal Consortium each offer their wisdom for remedying this pesky problem. Read more

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Vocal Strain: When to Sing and When to Give it a Rest

Vocal Strain: When to Sing and When to Give it a Rest

Margaret Baroody | Health, Singing

When should a singer consult a doctor about a vocal problem or injury? One Chorus America member reported that he was left with laryngitis and a sore throat after screaming during a sport event. He wondered what to do, if anything, to recover. Read more

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In Praise of Informal Musicmaking

In Praise of Informal Musicmaking

Kelsey Menehan | Families, Participation, Singing

These days, it seems singing is relegated to rehearsals, religious services, concert halls, and the occasional karaoke bar experience. But whatever happened to just gathering around the piano with friends and family to belt out a few tunes? Read more

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How to Choose a Voice Teacher

How to Choose a Voice Teacher

Lisa Koehler | Careers

You've decided to make the commitment to improving your singing abilities. But how do you find the right instructor to help you on your way? Read more

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From Oxford to Hogwarts: Singing on the Harry Potter Soundtrack

From Oxford to Hogwarts: Singing on the Harry Potter Soundtrack

Gregory Camp | Participation, Profile, Singing

Ever wonder what goes into the making of a film's soundtrack? Singer Gregory Camp knows. Along with his chorus at the University of Oxford, Gregory got the chance to perform on the film soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince—complete with studio time at London's famed Abbey Road Studios. Read more

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Virtual Choir Project Brings Together Distant Strangers in Performance

Virtual Choir Project Brings Together Distant Strangers in Performance

Cory Davis | Education, Innovation, Participation, Singing, Technology

Is a chorus still a chorus if the singers are singing from their computers? Read more

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How Rachmaninoff and the Orthodox Choral Tradition Conquered the West

How Rachmaninoff and the Orthodox Choral Tradition Conquered the West

Alexander Ruggieri | History, Repertoire

There was a time not so long ago when Sergei Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil was virtually unknown outside of Russia. But an early transliteration of the work and some pivotal recordings helped to catch the attention of Western choral groups and audiences. We interview choral conductor and Russian music expert Alexander Ruggieri, who tells the story of the Vigil's emergence as one of the best-loved choral masterpieces. Read more

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You Had Me at Hallelujah: The Magic of Handel's Messiah

You Had Me at Hallelujah: The Magic of Handel's Messiah

Tom Kelly | History, Repertoire

To choral singers, Handel's Messiah is as familiar—and as well loved—as their favorite pair of slippers. But what do we really know about this choral masterwork? Harvard music professor and historian Thomas Kelly talks to Chorus America about how this great oratorio came to be and why it captures our hearts like no other piece. Read more

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Resources

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Relaxing the Tongue

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Relaxing the Tongue

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark demonstrates how to train the powerful tongue muscle to cooperate with rather than hinder the singing process. Read more

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The Choral Warm-Ups of Robert Shaw

The Choral Warm-Ups of Robert Shaw

Pamela Elrod | Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Believing that the chorus was a corporate entity with a spirit of kinship, famed conductor Robert Shaw used the warm-up period to focus on matters of tuning, tone color, ensemble blend, acoustical conditions, and development of the dynamic palette. We've compiled several of his warm-ups. Read more

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The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Achieving Relaxed Alertness

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Achieving Relaxed Alertness

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark demonstrates how being both relaxed and alert can bring greater freedom in singing. Read more

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The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Vocalizing To Release Tension

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Vocalizing To Release Tension

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Through a self-discovery process using movement, the practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark guides a singer to notice and then release tension while vocalizing. Read more

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The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Releasing Eye Tension

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Releasing Eye Tension

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark demonstrates how releasing tension around the eyes contributes to less effortful singing. Read more

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The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Opening the Throat

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Opening the Throat

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark demonstrates how opening the throat releases tension and allows for greater freedom in singing. Read more

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The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Centering with the Breath

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Centering with the Breath

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark demonstrates the use of breath to center and stabilize the singing process. Read more

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The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Introduction

The Feldenkrais Method for Singers—Introduction

Karen R Clark | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

You know that freed-up feeling where it seems your body is singing itself? Singers yearn for more of that, but myriad stresses, tensions, confusions, and vocal issues can get in the way. Through a self-discovery process using movement, the practice of Feldenkrais can help singers perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. In this video series, Feldenkrais practitioner Karen Clark describes and demonstrates how this approach has helped her—and the singers she works with—release tension and find greater freedom in their singing. Read more

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Virtual Voice Lesson: The Farinelli Breath Exercises

Virtual Voice Lesson: The Farinelli Breath Exercises

Shauna Fallihee | Singing, Technique/Tool

Carlo Broschi, known as Farinelli, was a famous, and wildly popular castrato of the early 1700s. One of the secrets to his magnificent voice was the seemingly unending stream of breath that supported it. Voice teacher Shauna Fallihee demonstrates the breathing exercises Farinelli created to strengthen the intercostal muscles. Read more

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Warm-Ups for What Ails You: Lack of Breath Control

Warm-Ups for What Ails You: Lack of Breath Control

Rebecca Achenbach | Singing, Technique/Tool

Work on your breath control with these exercises from choral conductor and voice teacher Rebecca Achenbach. Read more

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Events

BRAVA! Women's Choral Ensemble Open Rehearsals

BRAVA! Women's Choral Ensemble Open Rehearsals

Edina, MN 55347

Mary Scott | Recruitment

BRAVA! women's choral ensemble is currently accepting new members.  BRAVA! performs throughout the year and offers a diverse repertoire of sacred, secular, classical and popular music for a wide variety of venues. Read more

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Come join our community chorus!

Come join our community chorus!

7 West Henderson Rd. Columbus, OH

Worthington Chorus | Adults/Seniors

We are a 40+ member community chorus. We have a professional Music Director and Accompanist. Read more

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Auditions for May, 2013 Concerts

Auditions for May, 2013 Concerts

176 Tices Lane, East Brunswick, NJ

Faith Knabe | Singing

Philomusica Concert Choir is holding auditions on Mondays after rehearsals for its May 18 and 19, 2013 concerts. Read more

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A Tribute to Morten Lauridsen and the Power of Light

A Tribute to Morten Lauridsen and the Power of Light

Pylesville, Md.

Martha S. Banghart | Community Outreach

The Deer Creek Chorale, the Deer Creek Chamber Orchestra, guests The Concorde Vocal Ensemble and the Fallston High School Concert Choir will present the Lux Aeterna under the baton of Bruce Rogers. Read more

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Verdi Choral Workshop on Lake Garda (Italy)

Verdi Choral Workshop on Lake Garda (Italy)

Italy

MRF MusicFestivals | Adults/Seniors

International Oratorio Choir Choral Workshop 16-20 October 2013 on Lake Garda (Italy) Giuseppe Verdi - Opera Gala at the 200th anniversary of the composer's birthday Read more

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Verdi Choral Workshop in Tuscany (Italy)

Verdi Choral Workshop in Tuscany (Italy)

Italy

MRF MusicFestivals | Adults/Seniors

International Oratorio Choir Choral Workshop 24-28 July 2013 in Tuscany (Italy) Giuseppe Verdi - Opera Gala at the 200th anniversary of the composer's birthday Read more

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New York City Master Chorale: Tenors Wanted

New York City Master Chorale: Tenors Wanted

New York, NY

elee | Diversity, General, Participation, Performance, Professional, Recruitment, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing, Symphonic, Volunteer

The New York City Master Chorale, a 70-member classical chorus, is auditioning tenors with significant choral experience and strong sight-reading skills. Auditions for the spring 2013 season will be held in January 2013. Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings in Manhattan. Repertoire this spring will be Poulenc Gloria and Stabat Mater. Spring concerts include a spring concert and a March performance as part of Trinity Wall Street’s Concerts at One series. To schedule an audition please contact info@nycmasterchorale.org. For more information about the chorus and to listen to audio clips of the chorus, please see www.nycmasterchorale.org.   Read more

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Mid-Season Auditions for Newton Choral Society

Mid-Season Auditions for Newton Choral Society

Newton, MA

Carol Fernandez | Singing

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New York Choral Society: Midyear auditions

New York Choral Society: Midyear auditions

New York, NY

New York Choral... | Performance

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Nico Castel Master Singer Competition

Nico Castel Master Singer Competition

New York, NY

DCINY | Performance, Professional, Singing

A competition like no other offered in New York City to aspiring singers who wish to advance their careers to the next level, this competition rewards and acknowledges excellent vocal technique and artistry in opera and oratorio. COMPETITION: Eight finalists, four female and four male, selected from the first round of auditions will be invited to perform live in the Master Singer Finalist Concert in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday April 1, 2013. After the concert one female and one male winner will be named 2013 Nico Castel International Master Singer! Apply online NOW: http://www.newyorkoperastudio.org/mastercompetition.html   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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