Why Not Join a Choir?
You only have to step foot inside the doors of a cathedral during evensong to appreciate the true magic of choral singing. Rich in sound and filled with harmony, the human voice really is a musical instrument to be treasured.
However to a new singer, the thought of choral singing may seem like a daunting task, particularly for those unable to read music. We have therefore put together a small guide outlining the basics of getting started and why now is as good a time as any to take the plunge...
Why Join a Choir
- A New Challenge: Learning to sing is a challenge in itself, but learning to sing with others is a skill that makes the singing experience all the more rewarding.
- Social Benefits: As with an club or society, membership will not only enhance your circle of friends but also your social life. Some choirs even partake in an annual tour which can be great fun as well as a fantastic life experience.
- Education: There is a wealth of choral music to discover and being part of a choir is one way of finding some of the hidden gems of the choral repertoire. If you're new to music and singing, it will also encourage you to learn basic singing technique and music theory.
- Health Benefits: Singing is an ideal way to relax and relieve stress as it provides an outlet from the pressures of daily life.
First Things to Consider
The main basic requirement to be able to join a choir is the ability to sing in tune. Technique and reading music can both be picked up along the way, but singing in tune is very important so you can blend in with the other voices in the choir.
Next thing to think about is which voice part you’d like to sing. Don’t be concerned if you are not sure as someone will be able to help you when you join, but it's handy to know that within choral music singers are divided on the basis of their vocal range. Females either sing a soprano or alto line, whilst males are split into tenor and bass parts. However within these groups there is often the opportunity for further classification depending on the piece of music being sung.
Finding a Choir
One option is your local church choir. This will undoubtedly introduce you to a wide range of beautiful sacred choral music, however remember that membership will require a commitment to religious services as well as the weekly rehearsal.
Alternatively you might like to try a choral society or community choir. Details of their forthcoming concerts can usually be found by browsing through a local paper or through searching the internet. The autumn term maybe a few months away, yet now's the time to go along and listen to some choirs perform and decide whether you can see yourself as a future member.
Opera societies, barbershop choirs and small ensembles are further possibilities, however the standard is usually a little higher, therefore are perhaps suited to the more advanced singer.
Not every choir will hold a formal audition process, but do be prepared to sing on your own so the choirmaster can access whether you can sing in tune and allocate you to a section of the choir that is most suitable for your voice.
A Lifelong Passion
Choral singing can become a hobby for life. There are no age or gender restrictions, it requires only a minimal fee to join and with there being no need to purchase an expensive instrument it really is a past time that is accessible to all.
