Singing

Articles

Making Your Chorus Welcoming for Transgender Singers

Ari Agha | Diversity, Participation, Singing

Choruses seek to foster an open, welcoming culture, but some practices can exclude and cause pain for transgender singers. Here are some steps your chorus can take to avoid them. Read more

Views (7,262)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Welcoming Transgender Singers: Resource List

Ari Agha | Diversity, Participation, Research/Data, Singing

How can choruses foster a more inclusive culture for transgender singers? This list of resources accompanies our article from the Winter 2017-18 issue of the Voice on welcoming transgender singers. Read more

Views (257)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Welcoming Transgender Singers: Key Terms

Ari Agha | Diversity, Participation, Singing

In creating a chorus culture that is welcoming to transgender singers, terminology can be something that some choral leaders may need catching up on. This list of key terms below supplements our article in the Winter 2017-18 Voice on making choruses welcoming for transgender singers. Read more

Views (210)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Life Lessons from Choral Singers

Chorus America Staff | Adults/Seniors, Community Outreach, Impact/Value, Participation, Singing, Volunteer

In addition to enriching musical knowledge and enhancing vocal technique, singing in a chorus can also teach important lessons about life itself. We reached out to the growing network of choruses specifically for older adults, and asked longtime singers about the ways in which singing has informed other aspects of their lives. Read more

Views (3,083)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Keeping the Choral Singer Pipeline Flowing

Mike Rowan | Adults/Seniors, Participation, Recruitment, Singing

Singers are the lifeblood of the choral field. Ensembles from coast to coast are anchored by veterans of school and youth choral programs who found the experience rewarding enough that they continued through adulthood. But as choral leaders know all too well, many choristers can’t or don’t stick with it; they drop out of choral singing when they hit significant life transitions. Read more

Views (876)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Creating a Lifelong Singer

Jill Kimball | Children/Youth, Conducting, Evaluation, Impact/Value, Participation, Singing

When Susan McMane was in high school, she probably spent about as much time chanting “two, four, six, eight” as she did singing “do, re, mi.” Read more

Views (1,003)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

A New Career Path for Singers

Kathryn Mueller | Careers, Innovation, Professional, Singing

A growing number of singers are knitting together careers by traveling from city to city to perform with professional choral ensembles. Here’s how this model works for them – and how it impacts the choral field. Read more

Views (14,501)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Finding the Right Teacher: An Interview with Deborah Simpkin King

Kathryn Mueller | Careers, Education, Performance, Singing

Choosing the right primary teacher at college or conservatory is one of the most important decisions a music student will make in their musical career, according to Deborah Simpkin King. A conductor and educator, King is artistic director and founder of Schola Cantorum on Hudson and its Conducting and Choral Scholar programs. Her tips on finding the perfect fit with a teacher for undergraduate or graduate studies are a great resource to share with young conductors and singers. Read more

Views (870)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Supporting the Choral Ecosystem

A first-of-its-kind convening highlights some promising ideas for helping the choral field thrive

Chorus America Staff | CA News, Community Outreach, Diversity, Education, Impact/Value, Participation, Research/Data, Singing

When you stop to think about the ways people sing together, the diversity is breathtaking. Just a partial list includes community, school, collegiate, and church choruses, as well as gospel choirs, barbershop groups, contemporary a cappella ensembles, men’s choruses, and special mission groups like threshold choirs. Read more

Views (5,451)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Inside Broadway's First A Cappella Musical

An interview with IN TRANSIT cast member James Snyder

Mike Rowan | Careers, History, Profile, Singing

There's a groundbreaking musical powered entirely by the human voice. In Transit is Broadway’s first a cappella musical, boasting a creative team that includes Frozen songwriter Kristen Anderson-Lopez and contemporary a cappella guru Deke Sharon. The show’s run is an exciting development for proponents of vocal music, and a prime showcase for actors with unique a cappella singing talents like James Snyder. Read more

Views (2,194)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Resources

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

Views (1,871)
Favorites (0)
Comments (1)

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

Views (1,951)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (1,764)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (1,595)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (1,487)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

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

Views (1,480)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Yoga for Singers: How Yoga Supports Concentration

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

As singers, we all need to be able to concentrate for long periods of time. Try improving yours with this mindfulness exercise. Read more

Views (1,453)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Yoga for Singers: Exploring the Chakras

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Chakras are believed in Eastern traditions to be invisible energy "organs" of the body. Justin explains how singers can tap into expressive performances by becoming aware of the chakras. Read more

Views (1,436)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Yoga for Singers: Aligning with Mountain Pose

Justin Montigne | Health, Singing, Technique/Tool

Justin shows us how to find "Tadasana," or Mountain Pose—very similar to good singing posture! Read more

Views (1,441)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Virtual Voice Lesson: All About Alignment

Shauna Fallihee | Rehearsal, Singing, Technique/Tool

All of our "singing structures" are along the spine. If your spine is out of alignment or your body is in an uncomfortable position, you cannot support your sound easily. Voice teacher Shauna Fallihee shows how to sit or stand in a way that supports and frees the voice. Read more

Views (15,240)
Favorites (0)
Comments (1)

Events

Carolina Master Chorale presents "How Great Thou Art: Great Songs of Faith"

First United Methodist Church, 1001 Fifth Avenue, Conway, SC 29526

Laura Grainger | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Community Outreach, Participation, Performance, Professional, Singing

Carolina Master Chorale presents "How Great Thou Art: Great Songs of Faith" as you’ve never heard them before in brilliant concert arrangements for choir, soloists, brass and percussion. Read more

Views (10)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Carolina Master Chorale presents "How Great Thou Art: Great Songs of Faith"

First United Methodist Church, 1001 Fifth Avenue, Conway, SC 29526

Laura Grainger | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Community Outreach, Participation, Performance, Professional, Singing

Carolina Master Chorale presents "How Great Thou Art: Great Songs of Faith" as you’ve never heard them before in brilliant concert arrangements for choir, soloists, brass and percussion. Read more

Views (20)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Dixit Dominus--The Voices of Order Over Chaos; Masterworks by Vivaldi and Handel

Great Barrington, MA

kabdrake | Singing

For its spring concert program the Crescendo Chorus and Crescendo's Period Instrument Ensemble will feature two settings of Dixit Dominus (Psalm 110) by Vivaldi and Handel. Read more

Views (9)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

A Mere Matter of Life and Death

1317 G Street NW, Washington DC, 20005

Thomas Circle S... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, General, Performance, Singing

The Thomas Circle Singers is a chamber choral ensemble with a dual mission: to perform diverse choral works for the enjoyment of audiences in the Washington DC area and to raise awareness and funds for organizations that address the pressing needs of the city’s underserved citizens. Since 1976, TCS has filled this unique niche, enriching the quality of life for Washington-area residents by offering superb performances of choral classics and new works by living composers, while contributing to the life of the community by donating concert proceeds to DC-based social service organizations. The Seven Heavens (James Whitbourne) WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE Requiem (Rutter) Read more

Views (15)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Rainbow Connection: Pride (Boston Choral Ensemble)

Cambridge, MA

BCE President | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Performance, Singing

Join Boston Choral Ensemble for a concert celebrating Pride Week with music and texts by LGBTQIA+ writers and composers, including Francis Poulenc and Benjamin Britten. https://www.bostonchoral.org/performances/pride/ Read more

Views (20)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Requiem for the Middle Class - Concert

Willimantic, CT

Sarah K. | Community Outreach, Performance, Singing

Two new choral ensembles in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut will present their debut concert, “Requiem for the Middle Class: a brief survey of a cappella choral music for comfort.” This preview concert introducing Voices of Concinnity, a new vocal chamber ensemble, and Choir Matrix, a new community women’s choir, will feature the Howell’s Requiem, and the music of Bruckner, Hogan, Lotti, Daley, and more. This performance is to benefit the Neighbor Fund, a local organization dedicated to help local people facing deporation. Read more

Views (46)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

All-American Independence Celebration

Issaquah, WA

Master Chorus E... | Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Families, History, Performance, Singing

Make our popular Celebrate America concert, with its patriotic songs, sing alongs, historical commentary and readings, and the all-American music you know and love, a part of your 4th of July festivities. This year’s theme: the creation of our American Constitution. Read more

Views (32)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

The Circle of Life

Sammamish, WA

Master Chorus E... | Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Families, Performance, Singing

Ponder birth, childhood, love, family, and the wisdom that comes with a spirited old age as MCE embarks on a sometimes thoughtful, sometimes whimsical, always entertaining musical journey around the circle of life. Read more

Views (40)
Favorites (0)
Comments (0)

Open Rehearsals for Bach Mass in B Minor with Ars Musica

Ridgewood, NJ

ArsMusica | Singing

Ars Musica will hold open rehearsals on Tuesdays March 6th and March 13th, at 7:30 PM, at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood at 113 Cottage Place in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The open rehearsals will introduce potential members to our music director, James Kennerley, and give anyone who attends the opportunity to meet and speak with chorus members. Auditions may be scheduled at the rehearsal. Read more