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

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

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

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

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!"

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

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

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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