Definition of CHORAL SPEAKING : ensemble speaking by a group often using various voice combinations and contrasts to bring out

the meaning or tonal beauty of a passage of poetry or prose Choral speaking is projecting your voice and speaking in chorus. elements Speech choirs were common in ancient Greek plays. Speech choirs are performance groups that recite speeches in unison, often with elements of choreography and costuming to help bring the speech to life. Much like musical choirs, dynamic -- volume -- range, expression and accurate coordination of syllables are all important for a successful performance. Speech choirs date back to ancient Greece, where they were an integral part of most plays. Members

members. Facial expressions and intonation are also carefully planned, so all the members can practice in unison. Solo parts for specific members can add dramatic effect. Choreography

Choreography of movement is not a necessary component for a speech choir. Many successful competition choirs recite their pieces while standing in place with their hands at their sides, attention directed solely at the conductor. However, in the Greek tradition, speech choirs marched from side to side in alternating patterns called "strophe" and "antistrophe." Thus, movement is part of the rich history of speech choir, and some conductors choose to choreograph elaborate movement to accompany their pieces. Costuming

A speech choir is typically the same size as a singing choir, having anywhere from 12 to 100 members or more. However, most schools and competitions feature choirs of 25 to 40 members. The choirs typically are divided into groups based on the members' natural speaking voices. Females with naturally high voices or young females comprise the "light" group, females with deeper voices and young males or males with high voices comprise the "medium" group and males with deep voices comprise the "dark" group. Pieces

As with any other performance art, thought should be put into how the speech choir will dress. Costumes can be as simple as matching outfits or robes, such as a vocal choir would wear, or elaborate theatrical garb. Plain uniforms allow the audience to concentrate on facial expressions and allow the choir to recite several very different pieces in one performance. However, a themed costume for a single piece can highlight its meaning or help to differentiate between voice groups. what are the things to be remembered 9in doing the speech Choir?

1. Breathing
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Selections are typically poems or poetic passages, such as from Greek dramas or Shakespeare's plays. The conductor gives some thought to the passage, breaking it into parts that, for example, only the "light" voices recite or strong passages that are voiced by all the

The most important part of any performing art, from playing an instrument to acting in a play, is breath. While we breath involuntarily all the time, many green performers forget to breathe while on stage. Mark your speech choir piece like a sheet of music, noting where it makes sense to take a breath, so you don't interrupt the word flow but have enough breath to make it through the line (punctuation marks are a good start). Breathing in performance links you

with your whole group, calms your nerves, and gives your performance life. Articulation and Diction
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Kinds of Speech Choir Meaningful reading Meaningful reading is when the voices of each individual in a group changes from high, low or average. It also includes lively movements. Group reading Group reading occurs when a formation is made and everyone or some chosen individuals are reading the same lines of the poem. There is no action and they dont need to memorize their lines. They have no creative formation just a formal one. Speech choir (with no action) This is a speech choir which is just reading aloud in a group formation. There is no action or movement while reciting their lines. Their formation is in a creative way contrary to group reading. Their formation can be in a V shape, circular, or a straight line etc. Speech choir (with action) The people here in this kind of speech choir do alot of formations. It needs a memorized lines. Speech choir (Play) This is also called total theatre. There are lights and sounds being used here and also costumes. This is like acting while reciting a poem.

The audience wants to hear what you have to say. If you don't articulate, all they will hear is a bunch of mush. By practicing your articulation and diction, your words will be clear and vibrant. Say every sound of a word, paying special attention to the beginning and ending letters. Strive to make every word lucid and colorful. Diction is a learned skill; articulate strongly in rehearsal and in your everyday life. People will notice how well you command language. Connection to the Group

A speech choir is a living organism made up on individuals, never forget that. You aren't performing a monologue, you are a part of a group performance. Onstage, the choir is your family. The best speech choir performances are presented by groups that are in sync with each other. Listen to those around you. Connecting with them will eliminate any stage fright. If anything unexpected happens (someone forgets a line, a light falls from the rafters), the group must respond and correct together. The Text

The text is your guide; it's what the audience came to see and hear you perform. In rehearsal, commit your lines to memory (even if you are provided with the piece onstage). Performing the text requires you to know the text inside and out. Once you know what you are saying, add color and meaning to the words. Let the audience "see" what you are saying. Let your personal reaction to the words sprinkle meaning on the performance.

Speech choir is a creative of reading or interpreting a poem. It combines big,average and small voices.

Choral Speaking Definition The reading or reciting of a text by a group. Preparation for a performance may involve interpretation of the text; experimentation with language, rhythm, volume, pace, and different numbers of voices; and rehearsal. ( 2009 Ontario Arts Curriculum) An Instructional Approach Pre-select and display several short poems. (Some poems that work well are from authors Dennis Lee, Loris Lesynski, John Mole and Shel Silverstein.) Through a selection process (i.e. stars, vote) have the class select a poem. Students will need to have access to copies of the poem selected. Read through the poem with students, (focusing on interpretation), so that all students understand the meaning of the poem. Next, recite the poem with the students (everyone speaking at the same time). Following the first recitation, encourage the students to make the poem more exciting by emphasizing vocal elements in their reading. Repeat the choral reading of the poem several times, introducing and experimenting with different elements, deciding as a class how each element works best for the performance of this poem: o Dynamics: Volume o Pitch: the highness, or lowness of sound o Tempo: speed o Tone: light, medium or heavy sounds o For more advanced lessons, develop the use of voice production stages: Respiration, Phonation, Resonation, Articulation.

Once you have decided on how the poem will be vocally performed, ask the students what movements would make the meaning of the poem come to life. They could use gestures, large actions or even choreograph some movement phrases. Variations for Different Levels of Readiness The text forms used may vary from writing in role texts created by students, to newspaper articles, stories, non-fiction material. statistical data, play scripts, or any other text. Students may experiment with canon, rounds, pair, small group or solo sections within a choral reading involving the whole group. One half of the class might read one section and the rest of the class can read another. Other Vocal Techniques: echoing words and phrases, alternating lines, chants, overlapping lines, repeating lines or words, whispering lines or words, changing tones in mid line, singing, creating sound effects, crying, whistling, clapping or other body percussion, and altering the tempo and rhythm or inserting pauses. Extensions Design the choral speaking for a specific audience, and present to that audience. Plan a presentation on a particular theme using various texts based on that theme. Students write a piece to be presented through choral speaking. Use choral speaking when presenting dramatic literature involving a chorus (ie: Greek Theatre) Apply choral speaking when using Reader's Theatre