The Acoustics of Choir Singing
Thursday 13th February 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
To be a chorister is quite a challenge: you are supposed to look at the conductor, control your voice, listen to everyone else, and during rehearsal also read both the notes and the lyrics. When many people are singing together in a room, a number of phenomena present themselves that beg for a scientific inquiry. What can knowledge of acoustics do to help the singer and the conductor? In this session, we will look at some aspects of voice production, room acoustics and auditory perception that all contribute to the success of the choir singer, and ultimately, to the audience’s satisfaction. Here are some of the topics that will be covered, time permitting:
- How is choir singing different from solo singing?
- If I cannot hear my own voice in the choir, what can be done about it?
- How many voices does it take to make a choir?
- Can I trust my voice to produce the right pitch?
- Can I trust my ears to hear the right pitch?
- What do spacing and placement do to the sound of a choir?
- Why would I rather sing next to Edward than next to George?
- Virtual acoustics: is there some app that I can practice with at home,
that simulates the sounds of the others and the concert hall?
There will be many sound examples, so configure your Zoom app for stereo and music listening, and use headphones.
🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available
Sten Ternström
Sten Ternström is Professor of Music Acoustics and Voice Acoustics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, at the department of Speech, Music and Hearing which was founded in 1951 by Gunnar Fant.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
Tuesday 5th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 12th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 19th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 26th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
1:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday 9th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 16th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate in Acting Approaches for Singing Teachers
Louisa Morgan
Are you a singing teacher looking to elevate your students’ performances? Join our very own Louisa Morgan, as she takes a deeper dive into acting approaches that singing teachers can use to integrate powerful acting techniques into singing lessons. This 8 session course is perfect for those who want to help their singers connect deeply with the story behind the song. Gain practical tools and techniques that you can immediately apply in your teaching! Come along live for an interactive experience, or watch on playback at your leisure.
Thursday 11th September 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Tongue as a Gateway to Voice, Resonance, Style and Intelligibility
Dr Angelika Nair
Healthy vocal production depends on a finely tuned, athletic apparatus—a symphony of muscular interaction engaging the respiratory system, the laryngeal mechanism, and the resonance spaces of the pharyngeal, oral, and nasal cavities. Among these, the tongue stands out as one of the most critical yet least understood contributors to voice production. Join Dr Angelika Nair as she unpicks the essential anatomical insights that reveal the tongue’s role in shaping sound, influencing resonance, and impacting style and intelligibility!
Tuesday 16th September 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Science Underlying Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises (SOVT)
Dr Ingo Titze
Karin Titze Cox
Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises have a long history. Humans and animals have discovered that aerodynamic and acoustic pressures above the larynx can position the vocal folds for better self-sustained oscillation. Join Dr Ingo Titze and Karin Titze Cox as they unpick this fascinating topic!