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

The Wow Factor

The Wow Factor

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Impact/Value, Innovation, Marketing/Public Relations, Repertoire

Think choral music is only found in drafty churches or formal concert halls? Think again! These innovators are stretching our imaginations and taking choral performances to the next level. Read more

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Commercial's Soundtrack Uses Only Human Voices

Commercial's Soundtrack Uses Only Human Voices

Michael Shaughnessy | Innovation, Singing

This car commercial features a soundtrack that seems to include many different instruments, but actually there's just one—the voice. Read more

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Why I Love Singers

Why I Love Singers

Alice Parker | Impact/Value, Professional, Profile, Rehearsal, Singing

Renowned choral composer and conductor Alice Parker shares with us her observations about singers and tells us why we are a special bunch. Read more

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Knowing When to Say No

Knowing When to Say No

Cory Davis | Careers, Health, Networking, Professional

When you're a freelance musician eager for work, why would you ever pass up a gig? Read more

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"Blend, You Rascals!"

"Blend, You Rascals!"

A Choral Cliché Explained

Kelsey Menehan | Conducting, Education, Participation, Rehearsal, Singing

The late Robert Shaw used to give this directive—right before explaining what a ridiculous request it was. Even so, choral directors continue to say it, and singers continue to wonder, Is it me? What should I do? Read more

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Best Little-Known Choral Recordings

Best Little-Known Choral Recordings

Helene Whitson | Repertoire, Singing

Choral music sleuth Helene Whitson has sifted through used CD bins and trolled the Internet to bring you some of the hidden gems of the choral repertoire. Read more

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Eric Whitacre Speaks Out

Eric Whitacre Speaks Out

An Interview With Choral Music's Rock Star

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Education, Impact/Value, Innovation, Profile, Social Media

Eric Whitacre muses on how he gets inspired to compose, his special connection with young people, and what he thinks about the future of choral music. Read more

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Advocating for the Arts: One Chorister's Advice

Advocating for the Arts: One Chorister's Advice

Glen Howard | Impact/Value

In times of economic drought, singers and choruses wonder if and how their chorus will survive. Glen Howard, arts consultant and choral singer, shares his insights about approaching potential funders and making a compelling case for choral music. Read more

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What Is "Shape-Note" Singing?

What Is "Shape-Note" Singing?

Elisabeth Higgi... | History, Repertoire, Singing, Technique/Tool

In this musical tradition, singers read a variety of different note shapes—each one corresponding to a different syllable: fa, so, la, or mi. Read more

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From Choral to Solo...and Back Again?

From Choral to Solo...and Back Again?

Kelsey Menehan | Careers, Professional, Singing

Like oil on water, there's probably good reason for the conventional wisdom that solo singing and choral singing just don't mix. And yet, there are growing numbers of professional singers who are bridging both worlds and are building complete and joyful careers singing both solo and choral repertoire. In fact, for many, it is the choral part of their careers that is most gratifying to them. 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

Auditions Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester (MN)

Auditions Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester (MN)

Rochester, MN

Choral Arts Ensemble |

Auditions are being scheduled for Choral Arts Ensemble's 2013-2014 season Read more

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Coro Allegro: Coming Full Circle, Celebrating 20 Years with David Hodgkins

Coro Allegro: Coming Full Circle, Celebrating 20 Years with David Hodgkins

Boston, MA

Coro Allegro |

Coro Allegro's celebratory season ends by honoring our musical traditions, past & future. We reprise the popular Schubert’s Mass in G, from our first concert under the baton of David Hodgkins, and continue our tradition of introducing premieres and new works to our audiences. As a special treat, we will invite former singers to join us on stage and sing with us again, making this season a true full circle! Read more

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Susquehanna Chorale Auditions

Susquehanna Chorale Auditions

Cocoa Avenue, Hershey, PA

Susquehanna Cho... | Evaluation

You, too, can be a part of our three-decade tradition of singing. Auditions for the Susquehanna Choral are by appointment only at the close of each season. Previous singing experience is required. Please contact us for additional information or to set up an audition.   Read more

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Susquehanna Chorale Auditions

Susquehanna Chorale Auditions

Cocoa Ave., Hershey, PA

Susquehanna Cho... | Participation

  You, too, can be a part of our three-decade tradition of singing. Auditions for the Susquehanna Choral are by appointment only at the close of each season. Previous singing experience is required. Please contact us for additional information or to set up an audition.   Read more

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SA Choral Society presents Beyond the Horizon: Music of the 20th and 21st Century

SA Choral Society presents Beyond the Horizon: Music of the 20th and 21st Century

230 E. Travis Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

Gustavo Rios Jr | Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, Fundraising, Participation, Performance, Singing, Volunteer

  Season finalé featuring music of the 20th and 21st century.   Read more

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The Mature Voice:  Adjusting to the Age Factor

The Mature Voice: Adjusting to the Age Factor

Madison, NJ 07940

Harmonium Chora... | Singing

This choral musicianship workshop sponsored by Harmonium Choral Society is lead by Lauran Fulton Corson, a highly talented voice instructor.  Encompassing techniques of interest to singers of all ages, their choir directors and their teachers, it addresses changes that occur in the voice as the singer matures through an entire lifetime of singing.  Advance registration is required.  The workshop costs $35, which includes light refreshments. Read more

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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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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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