Tag: placement

  • How Singing Can Help You Learn More About Language

    language

    Singing can help with learning in a myriad of ways, but one of the most subtle aspects of singing is in the acquisition of language. Here are three ways in which singing can help you learn more about language:

    #1. Libretto:
    Since the language often contained in vocal pieces is commonly in the form of libretto, there is a great deal a singer can learn from language by viewing it in the context of poetry instead of prose. Libretto often takes into account cadence, and emphasis, rhythm and pulse. This causes a singer to think about language differently than most people, because a singer needs to choose which words to emphasize, and which to de-emphasize. Singers also need to interpret what can sometimes be obscure phrases – poetry is after all, subjective. Textual analysis is an essential skill for singers, and can offer so many subtleties to the acquisition of language.

    #2. Placement:
    Singers spend a rather astounding amount of time thinking about their mouths. This is important because it means we are able to think not only about producing words and sound, but about how those sounds are produced. Elements of language that most people ignore, such as diphthongs, vowel modification, voiced and unvoiced consonants, and projection are the bread and butter of a singer’s life. Thus, a singer spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about where in the mouth, language is placed, and how to modify that placement to create the best vocal sound.

    #3. Pronunciation:
    Pronunciation is extremely important to a singer, because of the subtleties of vocal production and its changing relationship with pitch frequencies. Pronunciation becomes even more important when a singer is performing a piece in a language other than their native tongue. Where a sound is placed in English, for example, is quite a bit different than where sounds are placed in French. Additionally, many languages have sounds that aren’t found in other languages. Learning how to create these sounds is a difficult task, but an incredibly important skill for a singer!

    How else can singing help in the acquisition of language? Tell us in the comments below!

    Calgary Children's Choir

  • Performer Placement

    = calgary childrens choir

     

    There are many different ways to arrange a choir, based on how the conductor determines the best choral sound can be achieved. This can lead to many variations in performer placement.

    #1. In a more traditional choir formation, the lowest voices are usually found in the middle section of the choir. This can be the tenor and bass section in an adult choir, or just the alto voices in a children’s choir arrangement.

    #2. It is often helpful to have the strongest voices in the back, and on the ends of rows. This makes their sound carry forward, to provide support for other choristers. In a children’s choir this is especially effective since often the more experienced singers are usually the older choristers!

    #3. The choir formation is generally curved for a couple of reasons:

    i) It allows the conductor to see, and be able to make eye contact with every single chorister. This is crucial for musical                                              connection and synchronicity.

    ii) It allows the sound to come to a focal point, so that first the conductor, and then the audience can hear a blended                                                    choral sound.

    #4. Since blend is one of the highest priorities of choral sound, some choirs will blend their sections. In blended choirs, singers often stand next to choristers from completely different sections. This allows them to hear the way their part sounds with the other parts, and adjust their own sound accordingly!

    If you’re interested in learning more about performer placement, this blog post offers some interesting insights on choir formations.

     

    What is your preferred performer placement? Tell us in the comments below!

    = Calgary Children's Choir