choir
Group of singers with several performers or voices to a part. A mixed voice choir contains parts for both women and men; a male voice choir is usually men only, but may be boys and men; a double choir is two equal choirs often used in antiphonal singing (where the choirs sing alternately, one answering the other, creating a ‘stereo’ effect, heightened by their placement on either side of the church).
The choir was important for developing Renaissance polyphony, with instruments initially reading from vocal parts and only gradually developing distinct instrumental styles. The Venetian antiphonal style of Claudio Monteverdi and Giovanni Gabrieli treats voices and instruments as opposing choirs. During the 19th century, choir festivals became popular features of musical life, promoting mixed-voice choral singing by amateur groups.
choir
| In architecture, the area of a church which is specially reserved and furnished for choristers. This is usually, but not always, in the east part of the church, occupying the west half of the chancel or sanctuary. Hence the terms ‘chancel’ and ‘choir’ have come to be almost synonymous, although sometimes this usage may be incorrect, for example at Westminster Abbey the choir is in the nave. |
