How to Tell a Concert Choir From a Show Choir

Vocal performance is a rich and diverse endeavor, encompassing a variety of styles and genres. There are two distinct categories that will be discussed in this article: show choir and concert choir. Each offers its own unique blend of musical expression and storytelling, and with that comes a set of differing physical demands. Here, we will explore the contrasting physical requirements of these vocal disciplines, shedding light on the athleticism, precision, and versatility necessary for each, as well as offering some tips for improving these skills. 

To start, let’s examine the similarities between show choirs and concert choirs. In each type of ensemble, the singers: 

• Must be able to read music. It would be extremely difficult to learn all the music by rote. 
• Must have good, if not great, voices. For many groups, an audition is required. 
• Must have voices that properly represents the form that the style they will be singing. Concert choir singers must have voices that blend well without harsh overtones. Show choir singers must have penetrating voices, often because there are fewer of them than in a concert choir. What may seek like a harsh overtone in a concert choir often is the attribute needed for great show choir singers. 
• Must be excited about the music they perform and have a good attitude about the amount of work that goes into learning, practicing, rehearsing and preparing music for a concert. Singers in a school setting who join a choir simply for what they perceive to be an easy credit will bring nothing to the group.
  
  Next, here are a few general differences between show and concert choirs: 
• A Show Choir is primarily for entertainment. A Concert Choir is for communicating virtually entirely with music. 
• The difference between a show choir and a concert choir is the same as the difference between a Broadway musical or a pop concert and an opera. Even though an opera has acting in it, the motion required to perform an opera generally is overshadowed by the singing skill being exhibited. 
• Another interesting difference between these two types of choirs is that to be in a show choir, singers need a certain amount of bravado. Simply being able to sing is not enough. However in a concert choir, being able to sing is not enough either, but the quality of the music being sung is going to be of a much higher quality and difficulty than that in a show choir. 
• Show choirs depend a lot on the ability of its members to be physically coordinated, while concert choir members need to be dedicated to learning music that is much more intricate.

Show Choir: Moving, Dancing and Singing in Harmony 

A show choir combines vocal performance with choreographed movement and dance routines. These ensembles are known for their lively and entertaining shows, which require a particular set of physical and mental skills such as: 

1. Physical Fitness and Training: It may sound like a strange requirement for a singing group, but show choir members must be in excellent physical shape. Singing while executing energetic dance moves for an entire performance demands significant cardiovascular endurance. This could be compared to the members of a marching band being able to march and play at the same time.
   
   There is an old saying that “The show must go on” and many performers and ensembles of all sorts live by that adage. Sometimes a bit of a sore throat may make it difficult to sing, but sing you must. And, in a show choir, that minor injury may include some soreness, strain, sprain or other minor injury. This is, IN NO WAY, encouraging anyone to sing with serious illness or injury.
   
   
2. Coordination and Timing: The intricate dance routines in show choir require precision and impeccable timing. Singers must synchronize their movements with the music and their fellow performers, often in intricate patterns. This involves some abstract thinking and being able to think linearly as well as in three dimensions.
   
   
3. Flexibility and Range of Motion: Dance moves in show choir can be almost acrobatic in their execution and physically demanding. Flexibility and a wide range of motion are essential to execute these moves gracefully and avoid injuries.
   
   
4. Breath Control: Maintaining a strong singing voice while dancing vigorously requires exceptional breath control. Singers must learn to control their breath to support their vocals effectively.
   
   
5. Stage Presence: Show choir performers need to engage the audience with their expressions, gestures, and body language. Confidence, charisma, and stage presence are vital to captivate the audience.
   
   It very well may be that you will need to smile for the whole production. It may help, especially during any time that you’re not singing, to imagine someone or an experience that would make you smile. Make sure, however, that it isn’t something that will make you laugh out loud! If nothing else, singers need to project a good attitude. It may be that the song is of a sad or serious nature and, of course, needs no smile.

Concert Choir: A Focus on Vocal Excellence 

Concert choirs are known for their pure vocal performances. They typically rehearse while seated, but perform standing up. Either way, they are focusing entirely on the quality of their harmonies and the interpretation of their repertoire. Here are the mental and physical demands unique to concert choir singers: 

1. Breath Control and Diaphragmatic Support: Concert choir singers rely heavily on breath control and diaphragmatic support to produce rich, resonant tones. Proper technique is crucial for sustaining notes and achieving vocal excellence. Sometimes, notes are written that seem impossible to sing because of their length. Here, a good use of staggered breathing is essential. The conductor may even indicate how it should be done.
   
   
2. Posture: Either while seated during rehearsals or standing in a performance, maintaining an upright posture is essential. Proper alignment of the spine and open chest contribute to vocal projection and overall vocal health.
   
   
3. Listening Skills: Singers in concert choirs must have exceptional listening skills. They need to blend their voices seamlessly with their fellow choir members, matching pitch and timing precisely.
   
   
4. Language and Diction: Precision in articulation and diction is paramount in concert choir singing. Singers must convey the lyrics clearly and meaningfully to the audience.
   
   
5. Mental Focus and Concentration: Concert choir performances often involve complex choral arrangements and multi-part harmonies. Singers must stay mentally focused to navigate intricate musical passages.

Here are a few tips for choir members of either type of choir to improve their performance skills. Many of these recommendations overlap between choir types.

For Endurance and Cardiovascular Fitness: 

• Cardiovascular training will help here. It doesn’t need to be formal training; a good, vigorous walk with friends or the dog will do. The idea is to get the lungs working deeply and strongly. 
• Many singers don’t consider this part of their skill set, but a healthy diet goes a long way to improve endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Such a diet consists of plenty of lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy liquids.
  
  For Coordination and Timing: 
• Formal dance classes or workshops are helpful. A person can also get pointers from a number of online sources. Just be sure that these sources are legitimate. A Tik-Tok video probably isn’t your best choice. 
• Many athletes have taken dance lessons to improve their athletic skills. Conversely, playing sports, whether organized or not, will help with coordination and timing.
  
  For Flexibility and Range of Motion: 
• There are dozens of resources on the internet to help someone learn to stretch well and improve range of motion. 
• Another thing that people can do to improve in this area is to perform daily routines in such a way that they need to stretch and extend their range of motion just a little. In other words, don’t just do things the easy way.
  
  For Breath Control: 
• The same activities that help cardiovascular fitness can also help with improving breath control. 
• Static deep breathing also helps. To really build the diaphragm, a person can lie on the back on the floor. Then, inhale deeply through the nose. The stomach should rise some to allow for the diaphragm to expand the lungs. Then. While keeping the stomach raised, exhale slowly through the mouth. This creates a bit of a vacuum in the abdomen, thus forcing the diaphragm to work harder and become stronger.

For Stage Presence: 

• The first thing to overcome may be stage fright. Some strange advice has been given to help overcome it, including pretending that the audience is their underwear or even naked. That could lead to uncontrolled giggling. The better thing is for performers to be confident in their abilities. If they can answer “Yes” to these questions, then they should have all of the confidence that they need.
  * Have I learned the music and routine properly?
  * Have I practiced it so that I know it by heart?
  * Have I made sure that my part fits with the other parts, in both the musical and choreograph aspects?
  * If appropriate, have I dedicated this performance to God’s glory and asked Him for the help and blessing I need?
  If so, then that should provide the needed confidence.
  
  
• Once the fear is gone, then the performing can start. Show choir members should focus on communicating the essence of the song, remembering that they are communicating with the audience. Some choir members may need to try communicating with just one person at a time to be able to be effective. Then again, some choir members are natural at performing for others.
  
  For Posture, a singer can: 
• While seated, sit toward the front of the chair so that the back cannot touch the back of the seat. 
• Imagine someone holding a string attached to the top of their head. 
• Put as much space between the bottom of the sternum and the belly button as possible. That allows the diaphragm to work its best.
  
  For Listening Skills, a singer can: 
• Study the music to see where the other parts are at any given time in the music, since most choral music has all of the parts on the same page. Not every part will sing at the same time, or have their entrances and exits at the same time or even hold certain words for the same length of time. 
• Make a conscious effort to hear what kind of duet your part makes with one other part. This may also help if you need to find your note; you can tell where it is in relation to the other part.
  

For Language and Diction:
If the choral director doesn’t give any specific suggestions for diction, there are a number of resources available. 

• A voice teacher may be able to give you a private (or even a small group) workshop just to address diction. 
• There are dozens of internet site with diction skills recommendations. 
• Practice speaking clearly in everyday life. This will help not only with singing, but in other aspects of life like job seeking and public speaking.
  
  However, the choral director may have some specific directions for how to pronounce certain vowels or how to end a word during a longer note.
  
  For Mental Focus and Concentration: 
• Practice focusing by turning off the electronics. Read a book, design and/or build something, write a short story. Practice doing one thing and doing it well. 
• Especially when performing, pay attention only to what is happening on the stage. When you have “connected” to the stage happening, then you can start connecting with the audience.
  
  For Professional Presentation:
  There is something major that differentiates an amateur from a professional. If one singer feels hurt by another because of something that happened offstage, any feelings must be set aside for the sake of the production. The singers must do their absolute best during the concert and leave any resolving of problems for time outside of the production.
  
  For Gaining Real Value From the Performance: Each concert happens only once. If it is repeated, the audience will be different, the way the singers interact may be just a bit different. It will never be the same way twice, no matter how much you might want it to be. Enjoy the music, the choreography, the applause, and the feeling of accomplishment. Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “Music is a fair and glorious gift of God”. Receive that gift of knowing and performing the music from Him.
  
  Conclusion Show choir and concert choir each offer a unique avenue for vocal expression and storytelling. While they share the foundation of singing, their physical demands vary significantly. Show Choir combines singing and dancing, requiring endurance, coordination, and stage presence while Concert Choir places a strong emphasis on vocal technique, posture, and harmonization. Ultimately, both disciplines require dedicated training and a passion for the art of vocal performance. Singers in show choir and concert choir contribute their unique physical and artistic skills to create memorable and enchanting performances that enrich the world of music.
  
  Salt Cellar Creations understands the beauty and power that a Choir of either type can convey and has a growing library of original works and arrangements. Explore the offerings HERE. 
  
  SCC can also compose an original piece for you or do a custom arrangement for you. There are two ways that this can be done; one is much more affordable than the other. And SCC is always looking for ideas of pieces to arrange or suggestions for original pieces.
  
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