What's the difference between choral and chamber singing?

Question

Other than the difference in the number of singers, that is.

or is there any difference at all?

Answer 1

Chamber music refers to a private performance in an intimate setting, usually in a home with a large room or hall, where the "benefactor" or host/hostess can sponsor either an individual vocalist/instumentalist or a small ensemble, usually a trio or quartet.

Grand opera pieces are not usually performed in a chamber concert, as that form of composition demands a performance which simply overwhelms the smaller audience in a more confined space.

Piano works performed in chamber also tend to be more in line with solo works by composers such as Chopin, rather than grand performances usually heard only with an orchestra.

Classic art songs (Italian, French, German and English) are often the style of song performed by soloists, while small ensembles often choose pieces from a cantata or in the style of the madrigal.

Chamber performances (including string quartets, etc) are an attempt to carry on a tradition that was formerly only presented by royalty to royalty, in a chamber of the royal residence, thus, the name, "chamber".

In these modern days when people don't have to be royal to be rich, those with expendable income will sponsor a chamber concert either as a generous gift to their friends, or as a highbrow fund raiser.

These are people who have a great appreciation of classical performance art and who want to do their part to perpetuate the tradition of chamber music.

Answer 2

It has to do with the responsibility level, I think. In a big chorus, you "can" get away with hiding out in the section, not being right on top of things, etc. In chamber groups, which are smaller, everyone*s input becomes immediately noticeable. If yo lag just that 1/100 of a second behind, oops.
So, you have to be really sturdy in your technique, which will give you the confidence to let your voice out. You have to be way up on your musicianship, so as to be able to lead or at least be right on the dot as far as entrances are concerned. You have to have the feeling that your input can make or break the phrase, and by golly, you aren't going to be the breaker!
As far as quality of sound is concerned, that depends on what the director is after. Many chamber singers use their fully trained voice. Some conductors are still after the gray, anonymous, thin, non-vibrato chorus sound, where some want all the juice you can give them, as long as it blends. It also depends on the repertory. Most Renaissance and Baroque will still be done voix blanche, and so will ultra.modern stuff. Classical period and Romantic lend themselves well for a sturdy operatic sound.
The music is wonderful, and the opportunity to sing in such a group is a lifelong lesson in musicianship, intonation, group endeavor, leadership, and a whole lotta fun.

Answer 3

Excellent question! As a Church musician, I approach practically all Hymns and Songs on the playlist as I would a Baroque or Rococo composition for the private salon (due to the lack of volunteers for all Worship and Praise teams at my facility in general), as chamber works were composed from the outset for few performers.

Chamber Songs impose a high demand for precision on all Parts. You know about the Art Song, usually a vocal solo with piano accompaniment; additionally, a modern chamber Song (which I characterize for this post as Aria (viz., solo) through Septet) might be orchestrated only for piano and string quintet (viz., 1st and 2nd Violini, Viola, Violoncello and Contro Violono), so as not to overpower the singers. A Chorus is composed to looser tolerances, as there are multiple singers for each Part in addition to a fair-sized band or orchestra and in some cases even an organ. Modern sound reinforcement techniques stretch the chamber piece well enough for acoustically-unfriendly or oversize venues; some recent church-houses are designed to completely different standards from those for a dedicated music salon.

Answer 4

Chamber tends to be more operatic and it takes much more practice, you have to be able to not only sing Tenor or Soprano, you'd have to be able to sing AT LEAST Tenor and Soprano. If you get my point.

Answer 5

properly.... one would have been slightly doppy, yet you cant deny hes on astounding form on the minute. question for u. wots the version between villa and a lump of dof turd? answer_ not something! haha