Seating Your Choir

by
Michael Dean
SFA Assistant Director of Choral Activities

There are thousands of ways to seat your choir but very few principles to follow. The goal is to allow your choir to sound their best to the audience. For that to happen each singer needs to be seated next the other singers that will allow them to sound their best.

Weaker singers need to sit with others who sing their part.
Stronger singers need to hear other parts to help them balance and tune.
Sopranos usually benefit from sitting near the basses. This helps intonation.
Everyone benefits from listening to those around them.

There are two basic seating plans with one variation.

Improves awareness of section sound Builds confidence Allows for fluid changes within section	Improves ensemble intonation Requires stronger singers Improves blend of stronger voices	Blends the strengths and weaknesses of the other two formations It is infinitely variable

Start with the block formation. It is the best way to become familiar with your singers and creates the best sense of unity and comfort for the singers. It is also the easiest way to learn new music.

When you and they are ready, experiment with another arrangement according to the strengths of your choir and the music you are singing. Let that dictate your choice and don't be surprised by a dramatic change in sound with some minor changes in seating.

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The Texas School Music Project is a source for ideas and information concerning pedagogical practices in the music classroom or rehearsal hall. The TSMP is a service provided to all music specialists by the faculty of the Department of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University.
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