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

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

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

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

Singing and Healthy Aging

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

Choruses and Community Wellness

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

Singing at the Threshold

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

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

Is There a Cure for the "Wobbles"?

Margaret Baroody | Adults/Seniors, Health, Singing

"Help! Is there anything I can do to reduce excessive vibrato when I sing?" Read more

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Breath Support for Singers: Don't Inhale... Release!

Ory Brown | Adults/Seniors, Singing, Technique/Tool

For singers, the breath is everything. This article and video clips from mezzo-soprano Ory Brown's class held at the Berkshire Choral Festival offer some helpful hints and vocal exercises to get the air moving. Read more

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The Rise of A Cappella

An Interview with CASA Founder and Sing-Off Producer Deke Sharon

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Community Outreach

Choral music—especially a cappella choral music—is more popular than ever it seems. Chorus America sat down with Deke Sharon, founder of the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) and a producer of NBC's The Sing-Off, to get the inside scoop behind the a cappella choral music movement and its current place in pop culture. Read more

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What to Do Before the First Rehearsal of the Year

Chorus America Staff | Rehearsal, Singing, Volunteer

The new chorus season is upon us—or fast approaching! But what, if anything, should we as singers do to prepare for the upcoming season? Read more

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5 Tips for Performing Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil

Alexander Ruggieri | Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing, Technique/Tool

The All-Night Vigil doesn't last all night anymore, but doing what it takes to perform it well certainly can keep conductors and singers up nights. Here are five tips for conquering this masterpiece: Read more

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Are You a Choral Wacko?

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance

Definition: An affectionate term for all of us die-hard choral singers who can't seem to get enough of the art form we love. Read more

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IPA for Dummies

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

Well...not for dummies, but for choral singers who wonder, "Do I really, really have to learn the International Phonetic Alphabet?" Of course you don’t, but your singing experience could be much more enjoyable if you do. Read more

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The Top 3 Medical Causes of Vocal Problems

Margaret Baroody | Health, Science, Singing

Vocal health expert Margaret Baroody sheds light on common medical conditions that are at the root of vocal ailments. Read more

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Web Tools for Choral Singers

Cory Davis | Operations, Technique/Tool, Volunteer

Use technology to your advantage. Here are several free online resources to aid and manage your singing life, as well as a few for singers who also double as teachers, section leaders, or conductors. Read more

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7 Ways To Be a Better Singer

Jan-Marie Petersen | Education, Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

In many cases, we've been led to believe that the ability to sing well is a talent you're born with—not a skill you can develop. But that's simply not the case: Most everyone can improve their vocal abilities and musicianship skills. Read more

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Resources

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essence of Joy Alumni Singers Concert

22nd and Spruce St.

bluelyric7 | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Community Outreach

For one night only, we've got a choir of over 70 singers who are traveling in from all over the country, some straight from Broadway, Off-Broadway and National Tours for a special evening celebrating inspiring choral works and gospel music! Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased here: http://eojas.eventbrite.com/ or at the door.For more information about our mission, visit eojas.org Read more

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Toronto Mendelssohn Singers - Sacred Music for a Sacred Space

Toronto, Ontario

Toronto Mendels... | Audiences

A popular Toronto Mendelssohn Choir tradition, this Good Friday concert will feature the 70-voice Mendelssohn Singers. Immerse yourself in a concert of meditative sacred music spanning four centuries, set in the beautiful space and acoustics of St. Paul’s Basilica. Noel Edison, conductor; Matthew Otto, associate conductor; John Marshman, cello. Repertoire includes: God So Loved the World (Timothy Corlis, TMC commission, premiere); Svyati (John Tavener); Ave Maria (Pawel Lukaszewski); Nunc Dimittis (Pawel Lukaszewski); Miserere (Gregorio Allegri); Missa Papae Marcelli (G.P. da Palestrina); Tickets: $50; seniors $45; VoxTix (under 30) $20 http://www.tmchoir.org/tmcPerformances/sacred-music.cfm Read more

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A Night in Havana: Pacific Mozart Ensemble Fundraiser

1970 Chestnut Street, Berkeley, CA

Dale Engle | Singing

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Handel's Messiah

Williamsville, NY

HGrant | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, General, Performance, Singing, Symphonic

The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus (BPC) is known for its annual December presentations of Handel's Messiah. This year, the BPC is extending the telling of this magnificent story by performing the rarely heard Easter movements from Messiah. Read more

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“Music of the Three B’s”

Ingomar United Methodist Church, 1501 W Ingomar Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

PCCsing | Audiences, Community Outreach, Conducting, Performance

Tickets: Adults- $20 advance, $22 at the door; students-$8; children (under 12)-$0 Description: In addition to Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, the concert will include Bach’s classic Cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, and Brahms’ stunning Schicksalslied. Further details, including ticket ordering, can be found at www.PCCsing.org Read more

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“Music of the Three B’s”

Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

PCCsing | Performance

Tickets: Adults- $20 advance, $22 at the door; students-$8; children (under 12)-$0 March 3rd (4 p.m.) Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Description: In addition to Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, the concert will include Bach’s classic Cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, and Brahms’ stunning Schicksalslied. Further details, including ticket ordering, can be found at www.PCCsing.org Read more

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Two Rivers Chorale in concert - Aaron, Lenny and the Fabulous Four - Music by Copland, Bernstein and The Beatles

Arden Hills, MN

KNelsonMN | Singing

Two Rivers Chorale (TRC), under the baton of Timothy Sawyer, performs beloved choral musical selections by Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and the Beatles in concerts on Friday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina and Sunday, April 21, 3:00 p.m. at Benson Great Hall, Bethel University in Arden Hills. Read more

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Two Rivers Chorale in concert - Aaron, Lenny and the Fabulous Four - Music by Copland, Bernstein and The Beatles

Edina, MN

KNelsonMN | Singing

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Mississippi Valley Orchestra in collaboration with Chorus Polaris and Two Rivers Chorale presents Songs of Fate

Columbia Heights, MN

KNelsonMN | Singing, Symphonic

Mississippi Valley Orchestra, under the baton of Christina Chen-Beyers, presents Songs of Fate on Tuesday, February 12, at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights in collaboration with Chorus Polaris, conducted by John Hoffacker and Two Rivers Chorale, conducted by Timothy Sawyer. Read more