Matching Music to a Choral Group's Skill Level: A Harmonious Journey

 Music has the incredible power to bring people together, evoke emotions, and create a sense of unity. Within the realm of music, choral singing stands out as a beautiful and communal expression of artistry. However, to achieve the harmonious blend that makes choral music so captivating, it's essential to match the music to the skill level of the group. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of selecting music that suits a choral group's abilities, ensuring a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both singers and audiences alike. 

Understanding the Choral Group 

Before embarking on the journey of selecting music, it's imperative to have a deep understanding of the choral group you are working with. This involves considering various factors: 

1. Vocal Range: Determine the vocal ranges within the group. Are there strong sopranos, altos, tenors, or basses? Knowing this will help you select pieces that highlight the group's strengths.

2. Experience Level: Assess the group's experience level. Are they beginners, intermediate, or advanced singers? This will affect the complexity of the music they can tackle. 

3. Size: The size of the choral group matters. Smaller groups may be more suited to intricate, chamber-style pieces, while larger ensembles may be limited to pieces that don’t require such a light touch. 

4. Rehearsal Time: Consider how much time the group has for rehearsal. This will determine how to arrange a schedule to make learning and perfecting the chosen music as advantageous as possible. 

5. Tonal Quality: Every choral group has its unique tonal quality. Some may excel at a warm, resonant sound, while others may have a brighter, crisper tone. Knowing this helps in selecting music that complements their natural sound. 

Choosing Appropriate Repertoire 

Once you have a comprehensive understanding of the choral group, you can begin the process of selecting suitable repertoire. Here are some steps to guide your selection: 

1. Listen and Research: Start by listening to a wide variety of choral music. This can include different genres, time periods, and composers. Additionally, research the history and background of pieces you're considering. Understanding the context can deepen the group's connection to the music. 

2. Consider the Text: Pay attention to the lyrics or text of the piece. Ensure that the content is appropriate for the group's age, values, and beliefs. For example, a piece about the horrors of war might not be appropriate for a middle school choir. And a choral director can choose from a deep and wide variety of music about the incarnation of Jesus for a Christmas concert. 

3. Evaluate Complexity: Based on your assessment of the group's skill level, choose music that aligns with their abilities. Beginners may benefit from simpler arrangements with fewer vocal parts, while more experienced groups can handle intricate harmonies and challenging rhythms. The consonance or dissonance of the piece should also be considered. (Please see my blog on The Power and Beauty of Dissonant Chords in Choral Music). 

4. Balance Repertoire: Aim for a balanced repertoire that includes a variety of musical styles, tempos, time signature, featured voices and moods. Some songs even lend themselves to clapping, swaying or a simple dance move. Others could use a tambourine, finger cymbals or clave′s. This not only keeps rehearsals engaging but also showcases the group's versatility. 

5. Challenge and Growth: While it's important to choose music that the group can perform well, don't be afraid to introduce a slightly challenging piece to encourage growth. Just ensure that it's within their reach with dedicated practice. This bit of challenge is called The Pygmalion Effect, which is an experience where higher expectations lead to an increase in performance. It often works in a group of people who are aiming for the same goal. So, while matching new music to a choral group’s current skill level is good for singing comfortably, sometimes a choral director needs to use a piece that is slightly more difficult than the ensemble can currently handle. With the proper enthusiastic presentation and encouragement, many choral groups can improve their performance and confidence through the use of this process. 

6. Custom Arrangements: If you can't find existing arrangements that fit the group perfectly, consider commissioning custom arrangements. This allows you to tailor the music to the group's strengths and preferences. 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. Please CONTACT ME for more information. 

Rehearsal and Performance With the chosen repertoire in hand, it's time to delve into rehearsals. Here are some tips to make the most of your rehearsal time: 

1. Sectional Rehearsals: Divide the group into sections (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) for focused rehearsals. This allows singers to work on their specific parts, ensuring a polished performance. 

2. Vocal Techniques: Incorporate vocal exercises and techniques to improve intonation, breath control, and overall vocal quality. Pronunciation of words must also be consistent. Although some regional accents may be distinctive or even charming, an overlap of accents can make it difficult for an audience to understand what’s being sung. A vocal coach can be invaluable in this process. 

3. Musical Interpretation: Encourage the group to interpret the music emotionally and spiritually, as close to the composer’s original intention as possible, if that can be determined. 

4. Recording and Feedback: Record rehearsals and performances to provide feedback and track progress. This helps the group identify areas for improvement. 

5. Practice Resources: Provide practice resources, such as sheet music, recordings, and practice tracks, to assist singers in learning their parts outside of rehearsal. Some music is available that will allow someone to follow along as it is played. 

Conclusion 

Matching music to a choral group's skill level is a delicate yet rewarding task. It requires a deep understanding of the group's abilities, thoughtful repertoire selection, and effective rehearsal techniques. When done with care and consideration, the result is a harmonious and moving musical experience that resonates with both performers and audiences, reflecting the power and beauty of choral music. 

Salt Cellar Creations understands the intricacies of choosing good choral music and has a growing library of original works and arrangements. Explore the offerings HERE.

Besides being able to compose an original work or do a custom arrangement for you, SCC is always looking for ideas of pieces to arrange or suggestions for original pieces. Please CONTACT ME to let me know what you think.