5 Essential Yoga Poses for Singers

Professional singer Justin Montigne has found that yoga improves "everything about his instrument." As a voice and yoga instructor, he shows others how to integrate the two practices. Here he demonstrates the five yoga poses that he finds most...Read more

Natural Vocal Care

For singers with sore throats or other vocal ailments, these herbal remedies may do the trick - naturally.Read more

12 Signs You Sing in a Chorus: Holiday Edition

The holidays are an especially busy and rewarding time to be a choral singer — balancing family celebrations and errands with rehearsals and performances. In honor of the season, here’s a special list of telltale signs that you might be a...Read more

Long-Tenured Singers: The Benefits Flow Both Ways

Long-time singers will happily list numerous ways that choral singing enhances their lives. When those singers stay with the same chorus for many years, the benefits flow both ways. We spoke with seven singers who have sung with the same chorus for...Read more

Encircled by Sound: Janet Cardiff’s “Forty Part Motet”

A choral singer visits a contemporary sound installation inspired by a centuries-old piece of music.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

Movement in Rehearsal

Kelsey Menehan | Conducting, Performance, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

Making time to incorporate movement exercises during rehearsal can be a challenge, but a number of conductors are finding that it makes a real difference in the way their groups sing. Read more

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The Evolution of GLBT Choruses

Don Lee | Civic Engagement, Diversity, History, Impact/Value, Performance

Today's GLBT choruses continue to be places to unite in common causes, but their perspectives have changed along with the times. Read more

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Member Spotlight: Brett Stover, Giving Time and Talent as a Member of the Board

Chorus America Staff | Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Families, General, Governance, Impact/Value, Management/Leadership, Participation, Professional, Profile, Singing, Strategic Planning

Brett Stover grew up singing in choirs and has served on the boards of an array of music and arts groups in Cincinnati. Now he brings his business savvy and love of the performing arts to Chorus America's Board of Directors. "The more people who are singing, the better off we will all be," he says. Read more

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More Tips for Memorizing Music

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Conducting, Impact/Value, Performance, Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

The article "Should Choruses Memorize Their Music?" shares memorization techniques that choruses have found helpful. In this followup piece, Gary Holt, artistic director of the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus, expands on how he gets his singers "off book" quickly and efficiently. Read more

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Maintaining Your Voice for Optimal Lifelong Singing

Erin Donahue an... | Adults/Seniors, Health, Singing

Healthy vocal habits can help older adults continue to enjoy the benefits of choral singing. Erin Donahue and Wendy LeBorgne, voice pathologists from the Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation and the Professional Voice Center of Greater Cincinnati, share expert advice on staying vocally "fit". Read more

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On Tour with the Eric Whitacre Singers

Kelsey Menehan | Audiences, Conducting, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Venue

The Eric Whitacre Singers recently made its debut U.S. tour in March, organized and presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY.) Chorus America asked four of the Singers to provide some insight into life on the road, performing in American venues, and working with a choral "rock star." Read more

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A National Library of Men's Choral Music

Michael Doan | Composing/Commissioning, History, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Technology

As all-male colleges went coed in the 1970s, they left something important behind: their music. The Washington Men's Camerata is working to preserve this historic resource. Read more

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Singing and Healthy Children

Kelsey Menehan | Children/Youth, Education, Health, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Schools, Singing

Participating in a chorus can have a transformative effect on a child’s academic achievement and overall well-being. Read more

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Singing and Healthy Aging

Kelsey Menehan | Adults/Seniors, Health, Performance, Singing

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

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Singing and Psychological Well-being

Kelsey Menehan | Health, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Research/Data, Singing

The power of group singing to elevate mood and forge relationships can help people weather challenges and face life’s ups and downs. 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

Treasures of the English Cathedral

Princeton, NJ

Princeton Pro Musica | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, General, Performance, Singing

Beat the winter blues and lift your spirits with glorious music from England. Majestic, hopeful, inspiring all describe the music by celebrated English composers John Rutter, Herbert Howells, John Tavener and Gerald Finzi that will be sung by the 100-voice Princeton Pro Musica chorus, conducted by Dr. Ryan James Brandau, Artistic Director. Read more

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Totally Wicked: Featuring the Music of Stephen Schwartz

Seattle, WA

Flying House Pr... | Audiences, Performance, Professional, Singing

Seattle Men's Chorus' Spring Concert! Totally Wicked Featuring the Music of Stephen Schwartz March 29 - 30 | McCaw Hall, Seattle, WA March 29 - 8:00PM March 30 - 2:00PM With Special Guest, Megan Hilty Read more

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The Manhattan Choral Ensemble — Requiem in Stone

315 West 22nd Street, New York City 10011

Manhattan Chora... | General

Andrew Megill (Associate Professor at Westminster Choir College, Chef de choeur for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Director of the Masterwork Chorus) guest conducts the Manhattan Choral Ensemble in an imaginative program of two Baroque masterworks and a new composition by New York City’s own Caleb Burhans. Tickets: $35 Premium Reserved, $25 General, $15 Senior/Student. Purchase at the door or at http://www.manhattanchoralensemble.org. Read more

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Calmus Ensemble Leipzig

228 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

classicalmovements | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Families, General, Professional

The Serenade! International Choral Series, produced by Classical Movements, Inc., is proud to present an encore performance of the award-winning German a cappella quintet, Calmus Ensemble Leipzig. The quintet has become one of the most successful a cappella ensembles in Germany, and their concert in Old Town Alexandria will be an unforgettable experience. Read more

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Escolania de Montserrat

classicalmovements | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Education, Families, General, History, Performance

Thousands travel to see them every day, but now the Escolania de Montserrat from Barcelona is coming to us! On March 16 at Strathmore, one of the oldest choirs in the world will present the program, “Montserrat and Cataluña: A Thousand Years of Music,” featuring works by such notable composers as Pablo Casals. The concert is part of the choir's first ever tour to the United States. Read more

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Bucks County Choral Society- Ralph Vaughn Williams-Sea Symphony

5175 Cold Spring Creamery Road, Doylestown, PA

Stan Guogas | Performance

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Great Choral Masterpieces

2315 N. Parham Road, Richmond, VA

Nan Hall | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Awards, CA News, Careers, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Evaluation, Families, Finance, Fundraising, General, Governance, Government/Policy, Health, History, Impact/Value, Innovation, Legal/Licensing, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Networking, Operations, Participation, Performance, Professional, Profile, Recruitment, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Research/Data, Sample/Template, Schools, Science, Singing, Social Media, Strategic Planning, Symphonic, Technique/Tool, Technology, Venue, Volunteer

We asked for your favorites and now we present a wonderful concert of beloved choral anthems from across the centuries. From Palestrina through Mozart, to contemporary genius, Morten Lauridsen, Richmond Choral Society will thrill you with the beauty of these choral masterpieces. www.richmondchoralsociety.org Read more

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Generations: The Music of Life! Presented by East Central Minnesota Chorale, Unum Vox and Two Rivers Chorale

Roseville, MN

Tim Sawyer |

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Generations: The Music of Life! Presented by East Central Minnesota Chorale, Unum Vox and Two Rivers Chorale

Cambridge, MN

Tim Sawyer |

Benefit concert for Cambridge Center for the Arts Read more

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Face to Face: Dixit Dominus of Handel and The Berliner Mass of Arvo Part

13200 Red Hill Ave., Tustin, CA 92780

Meistersingers | Audiences

Another in our "Face to Face" series, this concert is maybe better described as "Back to Back". Hear the two extremes of style with the ornate Dixit and the austere Berliner Mass. Join us for this rare comparative experience. Visit us at www.meistersingers.org for more information. Read more