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"?

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!

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

Singer Handbook Table of Contents

Singer Handbook Table of Contents

Chorus America Staff | Operations, Performance, Rehearsal, Sample/Template, Singing

Most choruses provide singers with a handbook for participation; use this sample table of contents to make sure you haven't forgotten any policies. Read more

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Access and Accommodation Resources

Access and Accommodation Resources

Chorus America Staff | Diversity, Legal/Licensing, Operations, Singing, Technique/Tool

A list of resources to help choruses provide reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA regulations. Read more

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Daily Warm-Ups to Prepare for the New Choral Season

Daily Warm-Ups to Prepare for the New Choral Season

Kathy Fitzgibbon | Singing, Technique/Tool

You wouldn't run a marathon on your first day back from a jogging hiatus. The same concept applies to singing. Head of faculty at Berkshire Choral Festival and director of choral activities at Lewis and Clark College, Kathy Fitzgibbon, offers her advice for coming back to singing after a summer off. Read more

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Sing Along with Melanie DeMore

Sing Along with Melanie DeMore

Melanie DeMore | Singing, Technique/Tool

Warm up your voice with Melanie DeMore during this "Morning Sing" at Chorus America's 2011 Conference in San Francisco. Her exuberant energy and innovative technique for teaching the songs are at the core of these refreshing and uplifting clips. Read more

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Yoga for Singers: Introduction

Yoga for Singers: Introduction

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The ancient practice of yoga can help you establish good singing posture, become aware of your body, and use your breath effectively. Read more

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Yoga for Singers: Why Yoga?

Yoga for Singers: Why Yoga?

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Instructor Justin Montigne explains how the practice of yoga or proprioceptive awareness can benefit singers. Read more

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Yoga for Singers: Twists

Yoga for Singers: Twists

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Long seated rehearsal? Alleviate tiredness in the lower back with this simple twist. Read more

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Yoga for Singers: Pose for Sitting and Singing

Yoga for Singers: Pose for Sitting and Singing

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Learn to find your "sitting bones" and develop a grounded posture for seated singing. Read more

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Yoga for Singers: Lunge

Yoga for Singers: Lunge

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Learn how tension in the tailbone can negatively affect your singing, and how to counteract it with a lunge exercise. Read more

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Yoga for Singers: Internal/External Rotation

Yoga for Singers: Internal/External Rotation

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

The bones in the body can move in internal or external rotation -- learn how to recognize the difference between these two motions and develop an awareness for how they can be used to reduce tension. Read more

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Events

Octavo Presents Their Inaugural Concert-Renaissance Reimagined

Octavo Presents Their Inaugural Concert-Renaissance Reimagined

San Antonio, TX

Octavo | Children/Youth

The newest choral ensemble in San Antonio, Octavo, is proud to announce their inaugural concert, in which they will sing works spanning 150 years of glorious reflection on beloved renaissance repertoire and polyphonic tradition.   Read more

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Voce Chamber Singers presents "Summertime..."

Voce Chamber Singers presents "Summertime..."

432 Van Buren Street, Herndon, Virginia

Joan Winter Skerritt | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Families, Performance, Repertoire, Singing

Voce welcomes the sultry months with a concert featuring the summer section of Haydn's “The Seasons” along with selections by Gershwin, Brubeck, Piazzolla and many more, all with a summertime theme.     Read more

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Voce Chamber Singers presents "Summertime..."

Voce Chamber Singers presents "Summertime..."

Reston, Virginia 20191

Joan Winter Skerritt | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Families, General, Performance, Repertoire, Singing

Voce welcomes the sultry months with a concert featuring the summer section of Haydn's “The Seasons” along with selections by Gershwin, Brubeck, Piazzolla and many more, all with a summertime theme.   Read more

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The Fairfield County Chorale 50th Anniversary Gala Concert

The Fairfield County Chorale 50th Anniversary Gala Concert

Norwalk, CT 06851

Fairfield Count... | Performance

The concert will feature Mozart "Vesperae solennes de Confessores" . The enchanting "O, for the wings of a dove" by Mendelssohn, and Meeresstille und Glückliche Fahrt" by Beethoven will be performed as well. The finale of the concert will be a performance of selections from Vivaldi's "Gloria". The concert will feature soprano soloist Mary Ellen Callahan, a long time favorite of our audiences, Malena Dayen whose recent performance at Carnegie Hall was rated “outstanding” by the New York Times, tenor Nils Neubert, and bass Pnini Grubner. The Fairfield County Chorale Orchestra will accompany the concert. Tickets for the Fairfield County Chorale Gala Concert are $30 in advance, $35 at the door (general admission). For more information, call (203) 254-1333 or visit www.fairfieldcountychorale.org. Read more

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Joy!

Joy!

13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, CA

San Jose Sympho... | Performance

Experience the power and timeliness of Friedrich Schiller's immortal poem Ode To Joy through the majestic music of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 ("Choral"), sung in German, and the Western U.S. premiere of Tchaikovsky's Ode To Joy Cantata, sung in Russian.  Featured soloists: Milena Georgieva, Soprano, Cassandra Cardenas, Mezzo Soprano, Woojeong Lee, Tenor and Joshua Hollister, Baritone.  This is a free concert, a gift to our community. For more information contact www.saratogasymphony.com or info@sanjosesymphonicchoir.org. Read more

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Helena Choral Week (9th!)

Helena Choral Week (9th!)

Helena, Montana

Musikanten | Singing

Morning lessons and classes, lunchtime mini recitals, evening chorus rehearsals, final concert Saturday evening, Sunday morning liturgy at St. Peter's.  Guest Artists Evanne Browne (soprano), Jay White (countertenor). Thomas Gregg (tenor), Bobb Robinson (baritone), Robert Tudor (baritone). Jean Browne (piano).  See www.musikantenmt.org for more info. Read more

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NEW MUSIC FOR NEW YORK

NEW MUSIC FOR NEW YORK

450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues New York NY

Manhattan Chora... | Adults/Seniors, General, Singing

  The Manhattan Choral Ensemble will premiere three newly-commissioned works about New York City, followed by favorite folksongs, partsongs and madrigals. At intermission the audience will select its favorite piece, to receive the grand prize and an encore performance. Read more

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Choral Journey to the East

Choral Journey to the East

5 Thomas Circle, NW Washington, DC 20005

Children's Chor... | Audiences, Children/Youth, Families, Performance, Repertoire, Venue

Join Children's Chorus of Washington, the finest children's chorus in our nation's capital, on its "Choral Journey to the East" on Sunday, May 12 at 4:00pm at National City Christian Church. The concert will feature all CCW's ensembles joined by Erhu and Guzheng players, for a program of songs from various countries in East Asia. Read more

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Auditions for Piedmont Chamber Singers

Auditions for Piedmont Chamber Singers

501 Miller St, Winston-Salem, NC

piedmontchamber... | Volunteer

  Piedmont Chamber Singers will be holding open call auditions on 14 May 2013 and 20 August 2013 for its 36th Season. Positions for all voice parts are open. Tenors especially needed. Positions volunteer. If interested, contact PCS by calling (336) 722-4022 or by emailing audition@piedmontchambersingers.org. Or, contact our artistic director, Dr. Wendy Looker, directly by emailing director@piedmontchambersingers.org. You may also let us know you're interested by filling out our online audition form here: http://piedmontchambersingers.org/audition.php   Read more

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The Great American Sing

The Great American Sing

4310 County Road 137, St. Cloud, MN 56301

Great River Chorale | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Community Outreach, Education, Families, General, Marketing/Public Relations, Participation, Performance, Repertoire, Schools, Singing

Music by the people and for the people!   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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