[A version of this article first appeared as a post on my blog From the Front of the Choir]
Many of you know that I avoid using the ‘C’ word: choir. But there other similar terms that I find just as bad: chorus, chorale, chamber choir.
What’s in a name? What does it tell you about the singing group? Does size matter? Can you have a chorus of four people, or does that become an ensemble? Let’s take a look ...
Following the 2008 BBC TV series Last Choir Standing, there was a Great Choir Debate. One of the questions was “How many people does it take to make a choir?” You can find the responses on the Last Choir Standing website.
Here are some of them:
There was another discussion on a similar subject on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row back in 2012 which involved Jeremy Summerly and Suzi Digby talking about extremely large choirs.
Here is a summary of part of what they said.
Here are some of the terms that are used for groups of singers:
Some groups don’t even bother using any of these terms and call themselves things like Take 6, Kitka or Sweet Honey in the Rock. Whilst other groups subvert the common meaning of the terms, e.g. The Spooky Men’s Chorale or the Tittleshall Ladies Male Voice Choir.
What do you call your singing group? Do you think it makes any difference what you’re called? Does it affect people’s perceptions of what you do?
I’d love to hear your stories. Do share them with us!
Chris Rowbury
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