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

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

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 | 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 | 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Made in America!”

1501 W. Ingomar Road Pittsburgh, PA 1237

PCCsing | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Performance, Professional, Singing

An exciting concert saluting America and celebrating American composers! Music by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, Morten Lauridsen and a new commissioned work by Dale Warland, plus spirituals, patriotic songs, folk songs and more! Read more

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“Made in America!”

384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

PCCsing | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Performance, Singing

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Music of the SPIRIT FESTIVAL: Singing City

Centre St., Pittsburgh, PA

Donald J. Rasely | Audiences

Join Music Director Manfred Honeck for the inaugural Music for the Spirit Festival as he explores the relationship between spirituality and music in an extra-ordinary city-wide series of concerts, lectures, and special events. Through Music for the Spirit, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra demonstrates its deep commitment to the power of music to promote and spread a spiritual and universal language. Read more

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GLORIA! Chorus, Organ and Brass

60 Forest Park Avenue, Larchmont, New York

H.Joyce Duffy | Audiences

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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

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

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

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"

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

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