Last Choir Standing
The series is now over
The Great Choir Debate
Question 1 - What's the one thing an untrained person can look for in a choir that indicates how good they are?
Sharon D. Clarke: "Firstly how do they sound? Are they together, do they blend? Are they listening to each other? Tuning - do they make my ears hurt? Am I wincing and going "ouch"? That's not a good sign! There's also performance - I don't want a choir that sounds fantastic, but when I watch them they're dead, they're lifeless. I want some performance as well. I expect a lot from a choir!"
Hayley Westenra: "Try to see if they're together as a group, united with nice close harmonies. Being off-key isn't a good thing!"
Jonathan Ansell: "Look for whether they're stopping and starting at exactly the same time."
Mike Brewer: "Look at the eyes. If the eyes are shining then the choir will communicate what it has to say, and if they're not it doesn't matter how good the choir is!"
Dominic Tighe: "Enjoyment is key - they should look comfortable."
Stephen Bowman: "The main thing is watching that everyone is in synchronisation – if everybody's doing what they're doing at the same time, it's a sure-fire way to tell that they're singing in time and working together as a group – it's that confidence thing as well."
John Partridge: "The essence of a good choir I think is the spirit of the choir. I don't think it's essential that they're really polished, it's the spirit in which they sing and the passion which they're giving that emotes something in you."
Your Comments
I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE EYE CONTACT,POSTURE,PERFORME CONFIDENTLY!
I think that the question is wrong. It should be what should we listen for in a choir and not look for. The problem with this show is that we have been too distracted by the visual presentation to the detriment of the choral presentation. As a result we are watching chorus lines and not choirs. Certainly the performances can be visually exciting like a big number in a musical. In my view that does not equate to being a 'choir'. If you were blind or listening to the performances on the radio or a CD would the voting be different? I believe they would because the perfection in the sound would be untroubled by the visual distraction
What a wonderful experience to hear those people singing from their hearts! That is the secret, though, to get it right technically, to work out exactly how to sing together, and then to put into it the heart that has been there all the time, right through all the hard work.
Yes, I do agree with everything already said. However, I also feel that a choir needs a good motiviating MD in front to hold everything together.
You should look first to see if it balances nicely and sounds rich, fresh and full.
Their voices should make a warm blend but you should also be able a tint of individual voices. They should all look confident about what they are doing and you should be able to feel the power oozing out of the song,the emotion!
If a choir, or for that matter, a soloist makes my neck hair stand up or sends shivers down my spine, that says to me that they are really good.
its the sound its the way they move and how they work together
and how it makes u feel. i love dreamz amazing they made me cry dreamz to win
I think it is not just the sound their voices make toghether but also their performance it is no good singing excellently but having no charisma you hve to enage the audience and make them want to join in
Do they harmonize? Are they a unit or singing for personal recognition? Are they enjoying it? Do you feel relaxed or anxious for them? Do they "get into" it?
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assuming they can sing i listen for clear diction - no point singing a song if no one can hear the words ! also the eyes have it - they communicate the passion and understanding of any performer
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