The essence of choir is that a group of people are gathering to sing, an activity one can only assume is enjoyed by the majority of the group. While simply singing is the main point, there are other ideas that characterize a choir to its full value….

 

“Fun Facts” About Choir:

•  If a vocal warmup feels, looks, or sounds really weird, that usually means it is working; when a group of people are about to sing together, they need to get their bodies (specifically their faces) feeling a certain way.*
•  When you are part of a choir, specifically in high school, the choir room oftentimes becomes like a second home, and the other members become like an extended family.**
• Singing in a choir not only helps individuals feel closer to each other, but it also helps them to feel better about themselves.***

 

… The only way to truly understand some of these concepts is to be in a choir and undergo the process of truly, simply singing.

 

Links Used to Find “Fun Facts”

*https://metro.co.uk/2015/08/15/12-things-you-only-know-if-you-sing-in-a-choir-5341529/

**https://www.theodysseyonline.com/30-things-all-choir-kids-know-to-be-true

***https://www.cmuse.org/psychological-and-physical-benefits-of-choral-singing/

 

 

Question I – Why Choir?

Choir is an important part of my life, because it helps me express myself in a musical way; I think music, like writing, is a beautiful and raw way to share ideas, concepts, and opinions. Being a part of a choir gives a person a sense of belonging, because it is evident that each part– each individual– has a place and purpose.

I have always loved to sing, and I remember being little and looking up to the older kids who I thought sounded so good when they sang; then, before I knew it, I became one of the older kids I looked up to so much. My first real experience being in a (good) choir was in 6th grade when I went to an honor choir in Ames; it was a surreal experience that set me on the course that my life has taken so far– to sing in and to love choir.

Question II – Why NOT Choir?

Oftentimes, however, I find myself instead asking myself why I am in choir. Singing in a choir is not always the easiest activity; I am involved in three high school choirs: a mixed (Bass, Tenor, Alto, Soprano) choir, a treble choir (Altos and Sopranos), and a chamber choir (an auditioned group composed of Bass, Tenor, Alto, Soprano). Each of these groups have their own challenges and complications.

For me, mixed choir is difficult simply because there are more people, each of whom are at their own level of musical understanding. On a more positive note (ha, that’s funny, “note”), the mixed choir allows for more growth regarding the entire group. Treble choir, to me, is an entirely different experience because it forces confident and capable singers to take more leadership and responsibility in the group. The treble choir I am in has recently gained a large amount of new members, which makes it easier to blend and sound like a more full choir.

The challenges involved in mixed and treble choir do not, in my opinion, even begin to compare with those involved with chamber choir; because everybody had to audition to make it into the group, it is well-known that each individual in the group is a capable singer. The challenge is that the music is more difficult, while the sound is expected to sound twice as good; this requires each singer to try 10 times as hard as the people in the mixed choir.

Question III – Seriously, Why NOT Choir?

There are positives and negatives that arise from being part of a choir, but the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. I have learned more in choir about music, about life, and about myself than I have in most of my required classes. Singing is one easy way for people to connect with each other; singing in a choir is a surefire way to build relationships. Whether you are shouting “crescendo” when someone says “grow,” or laughing when some tenor has a voice crack, choir helps people connect to other people.

 

Despite the difficulties, it is worth it.