2. Introduction to the Choir Introduction to the Choir 7 th /8 th Grade General Music Miss Jennifer M. Dupuis December 2, 2003

3. Choir A choir is a group of singers A choir is a group of singers They vary in size They vary in size Schools, churches, and communities have choirs Schools, churches, and communities have choirs A choir is usually made up of several different voice types A choir is usually made up of several different voice types

4. VOICE TYPES SOMMERSET CHAMBER CHOIR

5. Women’s Voice Types: Sopranos Sopranos Altos Altos

6. Men’s Voice Types: Tenors Tenors Basses Basses

7. Sopranos the highest pitched vocal range the highest pitched vocal range Usually produced by a female voice, but occasionally produced by men's or boys' voices. Usually produced by a female voice, but occasionally produced by men's or boys' voices. Sopranos tend to carry the melody in many vocal pieces. Sopranos tend to carry the melody in many vocal pieces.

8. Soprano Ranges The full range is middle C to B-flat above the treble clef. The full range is middle C to B-flat above the treble clef. The best range for the is F to G above the treble clef. The best range for the soprano is F to G above the treble clef.

9. Alto A female voice of low range, also called the contralto. A female voice of low range, also called the contralto. The second highest part of a normal four part chorus. The second highest part of a normal four part chorus. Originally the alto was a high male voice, reached through the use of falsetto. Originally the alto was a high male voice, reached through the use of falsetto. As an inner voice, the alto helps create the harmonies. As an inner voice, the alto helps create the harmonies.

10. Alto Ranges Full range for the alto is G below middle C to G above the treble clef. Full range for the alto is G below middle C to G above the treble clef. The best range is A below middle C to E-flat. The best range is A below middle C to E-flat.

11. Tenors The higher male voice in a four part choir. The higher male voice in a four part choir. Usually produced by a male voice, but occasionally females can cover tenor parts. Usually produced by a male voice, but occasionally females can cover tenor parts. As the inner voice part, tenors also contribute to the harmonies. As the inner voice part, tenors also contribute to the harmonies.

12. Tenor Ranges The full range is from C in bass clef to middle C. The full range is from C in bass clef to middle C. The best range is from the E in bass clef to the top line A in bass clef. The best range is from the E in bass clef to the top line A in bass clef.

13. Bass The lowest or deepest male voice. The lowest or deepest male voice. The bass is the foundation layer to most vocal music. The bass is the foundation layer to most vocal music.

14. Bass Ranges The full range of the bass is from F just below the bass clef to E-flat above middle C. The full range of the bass is from F just below the bass clef to E-flat above middle C. The best range is the low bass clef G to middle C The best range is the low bass clef G to middle C

15. Review Soprano-highest female voice part, best range is F bottom space treble clef to G above the treble clef. Soprano-highest female voice part, best range is F bottom space treble clef to G above the treble clef. Alto-inner female voice part, best range is A below middle C to E-flat top space on the treble clef. Alto-inner female voice part, best range is A below middle C to E-flat top space on the treble clef. Tenor-higher male, inner voice part, best range is E in bass clef to the top line A in bass clef. Tenor-higher male, inner voice part, best range is E in bass clef to the top line A in bass clef. Bass-lowest male voice part, low bass clef G to middle C Bass-lowest male voice part, low bass clef G to middle C

16. Review (con’t) Soprano-melody line Soprano-melody line Alto-create inner harmonies Alto-create inner harmonies Tenor-create inner harmonies Tenor-create inner harmonies Bass-the foundation layer Bass-the foundation layer

17. Sound files from: http://www.soprano.co.nz/ http://www.soprano.co.nz/ http://www.soprano.co.nz/ The Cloths of Heaven, Songs by Rebecca Clarke http://www.radix.net/~dalila/ http://www.radix.net/~dalila/ http://www.radix.net/~dalila/ Camille Saint-Saëns: Patiently, patiently - from Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12 (sung in English) http://www.bruce-ford.com/ http://www.bruce-ford.com/ http://www.bruce-ford.com/ Rossini's RICCIARDO e ZORAIDE on the Opera Rara Label. "Or di regnar per voi". http://members.aol.com/kurtlink/ L'Orfeo by Monteverdi. http://members.aol.com/kurtlink/ L'Orfeo by Monteverdi. http://members.aol.com/kurtlink/