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

Sing’n’Joy Louisville Kentucky

Sing’n’Joy Louisville Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Interkultur | Singing

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Songs of San Francisco: From Gold Rush to Golden Gate (1840's-1930's)

Songs of San Francisco: From Gold Rush to Golden Gate (1840's-1930's)

2515 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA

Tricia Bell | Performance

An unusually charming concert of historical popular songs depicting life in San Francisco from before the Gold Rush to the mid-twentieth century, featuring rollicking arrangements for piano and choir by Eric Davis. Read more

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Songs of San Francisco: From Gold Rush to Golden Gate (1840's-1930's)

Songs of San Francisco: From Gold Rush to Golden Gate (1840's-1930's)

2515 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA

Tricia Bell | Performance

An unusually charming concert of historical popular songs depicting life in San Francisco from before the Gold Rush to the mid-twentieth century, featuring rollicking arrangements for piano and choir by Eric Davis. Read more

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A cappella Joy

A cappella Joy

River Forest, IL

Oak Park Concer... | Performance

The Oak Park Concert Chorale (OPCC), conducted by director Paul Lindblad, will present A cappella Joy on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 4:00pm, atGrace Lutheran Church, 7300 West Division Street, River Forest, IL. General Admission is $18; Seniors/Students are $10. Group Rates are available. To order tickets, call 708.383.4742 or email info@OakParkConcertChorale.org. For more information or to order tickets online, visit our website at www.OakParkConcertChorale.org. Read more

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The Philadelphia Singers Presents Philadelphia Premiere of “Tchaikovsky and Schnittke”

The Philadelphia Singers Presents Philadelphia Premiere of “Tchaikovsky and Schnittke”

18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Theodora W. Ashmead | Performance

Spanning 100 years of Russian choral music, this concert presents two different worlds of sacred composition, one composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, his Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and the other a century later by Alfred Schnittke, his Choir Concerto. One an insider, the other an outcast, one composer commissioned by the Tsar, and the other composed under communist rule, while struggling to achieve artistic freedom. Hear why these pieces are so similar yet so uniquely different. This is the first time the works have been presented together in Philadelphia and it is also The Philadelphia Singers inaugural performance at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, a beautiful example of Roman-Corinthian architecture. Read more

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The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

110 Wilson Downing Rd, Lexington, KY 40517

Lexington Chamb... | Audiences

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass by composer Carol Barnett Lexington Chamber Chorale with a bluegrass band, The New Ky String Ticklers Also featuring Memories, a commissioned work by Earlene Rentz, and other Kentucky works   Read more

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A Breath of Spring

A Breath of Spring

245 West 77th Street @ West End Avenue

J.Clarke | Audiences

Melodia Women's Choir of NYC presents A Breath of Spring, featuring works for women's choir and four French horns, with special guests Genghis Barbie French Horn Quartet.  Read more

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Toronto Mendelssohn Choir - Beethoven Missa Solemnis

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir - Beethoven Missa Solemnis

Toronto, Ontario

Toronto Mendels... | Audiences, General, Marketing/Public Relations, Performance, Professional, Symphonic

Immerse yourself in this grand symphonic work, an artistic testament to Beethoven’s spirituality. Read more

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Heritage Presents: 13th Annual Concert Sing On!

Heritage Presents: 13th Annual Concert Sing On!

4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016

Miriam Dixon | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, CA News, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, Fundraising, General, Impact/Value, Innovation, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Networking, Participation, Performance, Professional, Recruitment, Schools, Singing, Social Media, Symphonic, Venue, Volunteer

We Preserve the Past. We Inspire the Community. We Sing On. Join Heritage Signature Chorale for our annual concert which promises to stir your soul. Tickets may be purchased at www.heritagesignaturechorale.org or by phone (202) 808-0583. Read more

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Sacred Songs, Psalms and Celebrations

Sacred Songs, Psalms and Celebrations

1740 Route 130 North, North Brunswick, NJ

Faith Knabe | Audiences, Community Outreach, Families, Performance, Singing

Philomusica Concert Choir, Dennis Boyle Music Director/Conductor, is pleased to announce its Spring concerts on Saturday, May 18 at 8 pm and on Sunday, May 19 at 4 pm at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 1740 Route 130 North, North Brunswick, NJ.  The choir will perform both a capella and accompanied by Shea Velloso at the organ. 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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