Bringing together perspectives on history, global activity and professional development, this Companion provides a unique overview of choral music.

Looks at choruses not only as a source of music, but as organizations that come together for aesthetic, social, political, and religious purposes. This volume discusses groups, including an East African chorus; groups from 19th century England, Germany, and America; early twentieth-century Russian Menonites; Soviet workers' clubs; and more.

In the film "De-Lovely," Cole Porter admonishes the chorus of "Kiss Me Kate" to snap out their consonants. This book is not only about consonants, but also about vowels, breathing, round sounds and head tones--just a few of the many techniques discussed that will improve your singing in a choir or chorus or any group. It is written with the amateur in mind, but it is just as valuable for the professional. A brief history of choral singing from prehistory to the 21st Century is included. GERALD G. HOTCHKISS has sung in Christian and Jewish choirs, choruses, in octets, quartets, duets, barbershop, madrigals and Broadway reviews under many of the finest conductors in the United States as an amateur for more than sixty years.

A great book for the elementary choral student which includes vocal exercises, solfege syllables and hand signs plus lots of songs children love to sing - all in a kid friendly format with oversized notes and fun graphics.