Choir - Types

Types

  • Mixed choirs (with male and female voices). This is perhaps the most common type, usually consisting of soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices, often abbreviated as SATB. Often one or more voices is divided into two, e.g., SSAATTBB, where each voice is divided into two parts, and SATBSATB, where the choir is divided into two semi-independent four-part choirs. Occasionally baritone voice is also used (e.g., SATBarB), often sung by the higher basses. In smaller choirs with fewer men, SAB, or Soprano, Alto, and Baritone arrangements allow the few men to share the role of both the tenor and bass in a single part.
  • Male choirs, with the same SATB voicing as mixed choirs, but with boys singing the upper part (often called trebles or boy sopranos) and men singing alto (in falsetto), also known as countertenors. This format is typical of the British cathedral choir.
  • Female choirs, usually consisting of soprano and alto voices, two parts in each, often abbreviated as SSAA, or as soprano I, soprano II, and alto, abbreviated SSA.
  • Men's choirs, or Male Chorale, usually consisting of two tenors, baritone, and bass, often abbreviated as TTBB (or ATBB if the upper part sings falsetto in alto range). ATBB may be seen in some barbershop quartet music.
  • Children's choirs, often two-part SA or three-part SSA, sometimes more voices. This includes boy choirs.

Choirs are also categorized by the institutions in which they operate:

  • Church choirs
  • Collegiate and university choirs
  • Community choirs (of children or adults)
  • Professional choirs, either independent (e.g. Anúna) or state-supported (e.g., BBC Singers, National Chamber Choir of Ireland, Canadian Chamber Choir, Swedish Radio Choir).
  • School choirs
  • Signing choirs (of Deaf or Hearing individuals), using Sign Language rather than voices
  • Integrated Signing and Singing Choirs, using both Sign Language and Voices and led by both a Signductor and a Musical Director.

Some choirs are categorized by the type of music they perform, such as

  • Bach choirs
  • Barbershop music
  • Gospel choirs
  • Show choirs, in which the members sing and dance, often in performances somewhat like musicals
  • Symphonic choirs
  • Vocal jazz choirs

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