Looking for as unnerving choral pieces as you can suggest. I want dissonance, screaming, trills, ululatuons, infrasound. It can be foreign works or western works. Doesn't matter to me. I like raw, violent, uncomfortable pieces of music on occasion.

Whatever you have; I'll take.

Thank guys.

Hi everyone!

I’m curious about other’s perspective on choral seating and sitting at the edge of your seat. In my research, I’ve found some accounts that say sitting at the edge of your seat actually causes more future back problems, poor spine-pelvic alignment, and fatigue. Fatigue especially which makes the singer create more tension.

I am also a teacher of middle and high school kids, and I am very cautious about teaching them, particularly middle school certain techniques and requirements before they really have an understanding of their physiology. I still have tongue tension issues from misunderstanding how to raise my soft palate in middle school. I find sitting at the edge of the seat in the same vein.

Like there is a proper way to sit at the front of your seat to prevent issues, but it’s hard to monitor the actual correct posture of 40 singers at once to make sure their really doing it right.

We have the straight back choral chairs at my school, and I encourage the kids to push their butts all the way to the back of the chair, then lean back and the can sit tall and be full supported with our causing tension. If I want them to sing using all their best singing I ask them to stand instead.

Am I right about this? I had a substitute come in and tell my students all about sitting at the edge of their seat (she was not a choir person just someone who was in choir in high school 30 years ago when research and pedagogy was different.)

TL;DR: Standing is the best position for singing obviously, but I don’t have my students stand all class. When we do sit, I want them to sit well. I just wanted to check my research before I talk to our sub about not telling the kids to sit at the edge of their seat 😅

If you are in the US/North Carolina I wanted to share that Duke Chapel has an awesome Choral Evensong service a few Sundays a month. For fans of choral evensong this is a rare treat outside of a large metro area. Duke Chapel is a beautiful place to visit too!

https://www.youtube.com/live/Xd07IBr3Tec?si=TwcjfFf57bkLxfeG[Broadcast of latest service](https://www.youtube.com/live/Xd07IBr3Tec?si=TwcjfFf57bkLxfeG)

Hello everyone,

I am currently an undergraduate student in music education looking for recommendations for Graduate programs in choral conducting. I have a preference for school on the east coast (Northeast/Northwest/New England area) but am open to other suggestions as well. My university offered extensive undergraduate conducting classes so I definitely got a good sense of what I would like to get out of a choral conducting degree. Let me know if there are any particular schools I should take a look at!

Thanks in advance!

Heads up: this is me sharing my choral journey in the Philippines (please be kind its my first time sharing :<)

Choral recitals are such an experience to listen to, but from my perspective, I was one of the people singing with the choir. As a non-music student with no background in choral music, having the chance to perform these great pieces has been an unforgettable experience. Balancing my medical course with musicianship training, vocal coaching, sectionals, and rehearsals felt like going through hell at times. Haha

One of my favorite pieces to sing were Mate Saule and Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas. Between all the rehearsals, I could actually hear my voice improve, from the day I joined the choir to the moment I stepped on stage for the recital. I’m currently a Tenor 2, but my colleagues tell me I can be a Tenor 1, which honestly makes me a bit nervous. While my vocal range can stretch to those higher notes, the quality isn’t quite where I want it to be. Before joining the choir I’ve always dreamed of singing bass and hitting those deep notes, but to my surprise I was a tenor and my voice naturally shifted into a more tenor-ish voice through training—funny how that happens lol

One of my goals in the choir nowadays i guess is to sing solo parts and build more confidence as a tenor. The choral experience is like a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, but the lessons I’m learning along the way are so useful—both in and out of the choir. The toughest part is definitely managing the workload between choir commitments and medical school. With such limited study time, I really have to stay on top of my schedule and be responsible with every minute.

That’s all for now, I guess haha.

I remember singing a piece in E major for SATB that ended with sopranos and altos singing “You are the sea” one after the other. But I can’t remember what the piece was called. Does anyone know?

‘Tis the season…

What are your least favorite Christmas carols or songs, or your Christmas music pet peeves?

Hi All! I was wondering for recommendations on Summer intensives (not MM) for choral conducting. I've attended workshops before but due to when I did my research, I missed a bunch of opportunities with teachers I would've loved to work with. Given that it's getting time for applications, I figured I would ask.

A couple on my list already are: Norfolk, Cinncinati, and Michigan.

Thanks!

Hello! I'm currently a junior music education major and am working on a research poster to submit for ACDA. The topic for it is "the impact of choral music education in private schools". I was wondering if there are any suggested articles or research materials you all could recommend? Thank you.

Hi everybody!

I've got an exciting project I want to share with you all! Every year around this time, I write a new Carol for SATB Choir (and sometimes with Organ). This year, I've written a short 3 1/2 minute long piece for "a capella" SATB Choir. The text is "Sleep, Baby, Sleep" by John Addington Symonds.I am looking for Choir singers who would be interested in recording themselves singing their respective parts. This is a purely voluntary project, and I've always had plenty of willing singers in the past, many of which have been phenomenal :D

If you're interested, please post below, and I'll get in touch! :)

I've recently been given some student conducting gigs for my undergrad: teaching and conducting a piece for an ~70 voice SATB choir, conducting a piece for a chamber choir, and teaching a piece for a vocal jazz choir. I'm supposed to choose a few options for each group to look at with my professor. My professor also wants the large choir piece to be more upbeat and have a solid piano accompaniment part. He also said to look for pieces that are more challenging for all of the groups (it's a good year, and our choirs are strong).

I've spent a good chunk of time searching JWPepper, the choral music library at my school, and YouTube, but I'm still having trouble finding pieces that fit. Any suggestions on pieces/composers to look into or searching methods would be greatly appreciated!

I'm looking for a piece I did in college about Rachel and Jacob. I remember something about being in the sun, and I think it was in the title. Does that ring a bell?

I need two contrasting pieces for college auditions please! What are some good ones?

EDIT: I’m a tenor🧍

This is a bit of a long shot, but worth the try nonetheless. A few months ago, I heard a hauntingly beautiful choral piece on Dutch classical radio (NPO Radio 4). I do not remember the title of the piece, the album title or the composer’s name. I even forgot the date and the broadcasting programme, so I tried checking the Radio 4 playlist, but to no avail. What I do remember though, are a few details that might help some of you guys find me this piece.

• A young French composer, male;
• Into both very classical and very experimental styles of composing;
• Has written music for a few movies now, this was from his most recent album, also a film score (we’re talking Feb/March/April 2024 I think);
• It was a choral piece that was quite complex in harmony, yet ethereal in melody (think Bruckner or Vaughan-Williams);
• I’m not sure about this last recollection, but I believe it was a French art-house like film about a school / teachers / education.

Thanks ever so much for any and all leads. Much appreciated.

Charles Wood wrote an absolutely beautiful piece ‘Music, when soft voices die’ for women’s voices (SSA + piano), but I have a CD where the National Youth Choir of Great Britain sings a different but equally beautiful version for mixed choir (https://youtu.be/NqF8bR5ku9g?si=8Kc50SfOpqP7Z9Sp).

Unfortunately, I am unable to find any more information about this music. I’m looking to purchase the sheet music, but can’t even find where this would be published. I contacted the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, but they were unfortunately unable to help.

Would anyone here know where I might find this music? Or point me in the right direction? Many thanks in advance.

(Please excuse any linguistic mistakes I might have made, English is not my mother tongue.)

Any written resources on singing in Tagalog?

I have native speakers in my choir but they are relatively new to singing. I’d like to have written rules to help the non-native folks in their individual practice a home and also to help me in rehearsals (especially when our on-native speakers are not around).

Hi! It's a long time that I hadn't composed a choral work a cappella. So, last month, I've composed this piece with French lyrics. It's entitled 'Comme Une Rose' and it tackles three themes: The love relationship, through the metaphor of the rose, its scent and its thorns. Nature, through the wind that blows and scatters seeds, spreading life all over our Earth. Love, through a passionate declaration to the better half. So, this piece is just looking for its premiere!😉 Do you like it? https://youtu.be/OqLnLF_yPDE

More information and PDF sheet music to purchase here: https://www.asturiamusic.com/?page=comme-une-rose
choir #choralmusic #SATB #love #wedding

By far, the best arrangement of this classic hymn! This is Vocal Point, with the BYU Men's Chorus backing them up.

https://youtu.be/WyxXGdG3-Io?si=v0TYDuU436mwsUWz

I'd love to see your links to other hymns at this caliber!

I am a member of a local choir in Provo, Utah. The Wasatch Chorale. In November, we are doing a concert with the Murray Symphony featuring the Rutter Gloria and a few other pieces by Rutter. We are also doing O Fortuna, Duel of the Fates, and Alice's Theme (Danny Elfman) bcz they are great pieces to perform with a full symphony.

As I was researching John Rutter for the chorale's newsletter, I found a page where I could send a note to Mr Rutter's publisher. On a whim, I decided what the heck and sent a description of what we were doing and how much I have enjoyed singing his music over the years.

I got a hell of a surprise.

About a week later, Mr Rutter sent me an email and agreed to send our choir a personalized video message, which I received a few days ago. It was short and sweet and will mean a lot to the 75 members of the chorale!

I was pleasantly surprised at his willingness to do so. It's definitely a highlight of my musical life!

What an amazing guy!

Hey Everybody!

Here are some of my favorite choral repertoire + acapella pieces! These are suggestions both to listen to and/or perform with your choirs! Enjoy!!! I’m a student in my high school choir btw.

If You Want To Do Something A Little Different:

https://youtu.be/0BmIjQfWARQ?si=CCR7jKuVevMfv17j

https://youtu.be/gZt0Zw8Scxk?si=fET1ZX_Zyjp084dp

https://youtu.be/gb0vGxjQy10?si=jkWNbMhjdpvz3KFI

https://youtu.be/Bnkumgf5qVw?si=nz7GEOATs1UF_g4U

https://youtu.be/rCrXUrIaqrM?si=ChG0-dF3rkART6Rm

https://youtu.be/agP1swN_nw8?si=zqb5wJC2WiULokGH

https://youtu.be/AXZj17dMDd8?si=g2oeJ9B7hLhzBITG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChgvPTVpbzs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir3htl3UlBk

If You Want To Do Something More Recognizable:

https://youtu.be/3Wzq8lo8Ryk?si=vDs50WFbpEsY4Ie2

https://youtu.be/mbDjE_G383k?si=uO5eZtaGgvDz-DPP

https://youtu.be/lFTR1WbhJZc?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/5bLETjbHQyg?si=Ulcx1BPm-8WzurP_

https://youtu.be/EtcPuAYfd0c?si=iVHopPRfTscDm9rL

https://youtu.be/kSBYfgZmTV4?si=ocjgBdqiShdX1dut

https://youtu.be/tqUzYsEr-c4?si=RVekXP7SEiwN3xfp

https://youtu.be/O6iNKelRvWA?si=xuvV7w9Pe1faeg73

https://youtu.be/LF9bDtuPegM?si=whwq2d5g3iAI-OG0

https://youtu.be/sq5ZGn9jSXA?si=A3h27PSpDab6-Yyu

https://youtu.be/8Nam0AW1RFY?si=ZKSux-7Wb7B2OKWb

https://youtu.be/LRP8d7hhpoQ?si=t25JSzz2bdkoJtBc

https://youtu.be/UVGJfqHa0Rc?si=VUpOoIlDKLp4vmF0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qg94q-1BTs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvh4KPQ0Z3U

Just Beautiful:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnxK0hHTJJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcRgXIttzXQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIfFG2Ud5v4

Really Interesting But Challenging “Sets” Of Music:

We Did The Following Three Songs Straight Into Each Other, No Break, No Pause, No Applause Break, NOTHING, Just Straight Into Each Other:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tkfxHZI7c0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aynHSTsYcUo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jektoj9FiaU

After The Applause (They Thought Our Set Was Over, We Surprised Them With):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r3m6iOrhjU

We Also Did This Set Of Music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blUTC7zzzRI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86b6Z3a5oJA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmM1ATJgQE4 (I still can’t believe we did this! It was difficult, but so much fun to sing! Just listening to it is SOOOOOOOO Satisfying!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY8wBWMoN2k

We Did These Two Songs Straight Into Each Other As Well:

https://www.ijazzmusic.com/products/opener

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvyaojqL3qM

I hope you found this useful or you found something new to listen to!

​​

I had a random thought and I really want to listen to the most impressive choral music, be it chords, ranges, etc. I also want to see if there are some with just an incredible amount of parts or epic moments.

Trying to remember who wrote a setting of cantate dominum, all i remember is it began sung on a single pitch in 4/4, with the rhythm below. Sorry for how unhelpful my description is.

Cantate dominum, cantate dominum 1 2 + 3 + 4 (1) + 2 + 3 + 4