A choir is a group of people singing together in different parts or harmony.
There are children, adult, women and men choirs singing in low and high pitches. Their rendition could be choral music, Gospel, Highlife, or traditional folk songs, depending on their vision and objectives; and a knowledge of music, composition, and arranging skills.
An ideal choir would have song leaders, and an advanced choir team will require the service of a qualified Music director.
Vocal music is the music produced by a good number of singers. The songs could be in unison, or in parts (harmony).
Unison- all singers sing the melody of the song, that is the Soprano or the Treble part of the song.
Melody is the tune of a song, the original tune written by the composer.
DIFFERENT PARTS IN A CHOIR (SATB)
- Soprano-S
- Alto-A
- Tenor-T
- Bass-B
The soprano is the first part of the choral parts or harmony singing.
In contemporary singing (Gospel, Worship, Pop, Raggae, etc), choirs make use of only the first three parts: SAT.
Example 1: HYMN
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
D Major
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning, our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, Merciful and Mighty,
God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity.
Tonic solfa- tune
d: d: m: m: s:-: s:-: l:-: l: l: s:-: m:-:
s: s: s: s: d’:-: t: s: r: s: l:-. s: s:-:-:-:
d: d: m: m: s:-: s:-: l:-. l: l: l: s:-: s:-:
d’:-: s: s: l:-: m:-: f: r: r:-. d: d:-:-:-:
Assessment
With the aid of a piano, sing the tune of the above hymn.
