Overview
The premise of Vocal Technique is that good vocal technique applies to all singing, both solo and choral. Vocal Technique is thus written for both solo and choral singers.
That said, choral singing, in particular, presents some unique vocal demands, particularly with respect to vibrato, intonation, dynamics, and vowel uniformity, among others. Focus on vocal technique can assist singers in meeting these demands and help conductors to communicate more clearly how to achieve the results that they desire.
Even singers who regularly study with a voice teacher will likely spend more time singing with their choral conductor. For many amateur singers such as those in school and community choirs, conductors may be the only source of information about vocal technique. The choral conductor thus has a valuable opportunity and indeed, a responsibility to encourage great vocal technique and vocal health.
Attention to vocal technique is indispensable for untrained singers, but it is important for developing and trained singers as well, who will benefit from reminders to apply appropriate technique in a choral setting.
Addressing vocal technique during warm-up and rehearsal also allows singers to understand vocal goals. In the choral context, trained and untrained singers will speak the same language and singers can be active participants in improving choral singing. They can work on specific technical solutions for singing challenges and avoid some common pitfalls.
That said, choral singing, in particular, presents some unique vocal demands, particularly with respect to vibrato, intonation, dynamics, and vowel uniformity, among others. Focus on vocal technique can assist singers in meeting these demands and help conductors to communicate more clearly how to achieve the results that they desire.
Even singers who regularly study with a voice teacher will likely spend more time singing with their choral conductor. For many amateur singers such as those in school and community choirs, conductors may be the only source of information about vocal technique. The choral conductor thus has a valuable opportunity and indeed, a responsibility to encourage great vocal technique and vocal health.
Attention to vocal technique is indispensable for untrained singers, but it is important for developing and trained singers as well, who will benefit from reminders to apply appropriate technique in a choral setting.
Addressing vocal technique during warm-up and rehearsal also allows singers to understand vocal goals. In the choral context, trained and untrained singers will speak the same language and singers can be active participants in improving choral singing. They can work on specific technical solutions for singing challenges and avoid some common pitfalls.