Chamber choir

A Chamber Choir is a choir in a small ensemble, typically 20 to 30 people, in the broad sense 12 to 48 people. Usually, a focus on a cappella music.

Term

The term " chamber choir" is based on the concept of "Chamber Music"; is intended to express the relatively small cast. However, a chamber choir neither chamber music lists, nor is the cast strength to understand analogy. In chamber music, each voice is generally occupied by a single instrument in a choir but with at least three people - at lower occupations is called a vocal ensemble, with solo artists of vocal quartet, octet or double quartet.

The word " chamber choir " is used since the first half of the 20th century as a term for smaller choirs with a high musical level - sat down, however, in this sense only after 1960.

Instrumentation strength

• Minimum size: 12 people
• Common Size: 24 to 36 persons
• Maximum size: 40 to 48 people

Properties

A chamber choir consists of selected singers. He rehearses challenging music and therefore must be capable of eight - and polyphonic singing. Therefore, chamber choirs rarely have less than 24 members. There are known chamber choirs that have a cast 40-48 persons (eg Chamber Choir Stuttgart, Württemberg Chamber Choir ).

The Chamber Choir is different from other choirs by a significantly higher musical level. The repertoire consists usually requires advanced singers with advanced vocal technique and trained ear. Typical of the musical rehearsals in the Chamber Choir is the intensive work on the choir sound, the intonation, the tempi and dynamics of a differentiated. The Einsingen is not carried out under circumstances of conductors and falls partly the responsibility of the individual choir member.