Connexions module: m33991

Chorus Seating Arrangements

Gordon Lamb
This work is produced by The Connexions Project and licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution License

Abstract
This module represents several successful seating arrangements for choirs that are helpful for various
levels of choirs.

1 SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
Several seating arrangements are shown and the reasons for using each are given. During the rst part of the
academic year or rehearsal season it is best to establish a specic seating arrangement and use it for some
time before adding another one. This does not mean that individual changes cannot be made within each
section. These changes may be necessary because of a discipline problem, inability to see the conductor, or
an error in judgment when the person was originally assigned. After a month or so of rehearsals, an alternate
seating arrangement is a good idea. This will provide some variety to the regular rehearsal, allow singers to
hear new voices and perhaps new parts of the choir better, and adapt to certain repertoire more easily.

Figure 1

In the arrangement shown in gure 1, the second bass and rst soprano, as outside parts, are lined up
together emphasizing the polarity of the two parts, often an aid to good intonation. The baritone and second
tenor parts are next to each other so you can assign help to and from either part. The low tenor parts can be
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Connexions module: m33991

bolstered by baritones, who, in turn, can receive help on high baritone passages. The same thing is true of
the second soprano and rst alto parts. The second alto is also directly in front of the rst tenor so several
voices may be added when high tenor parts need assistance. A choral work in eight parts will work with this
arrangement as will four-part music. This arrangement is highly recommended for advanced, well-balanced
choirs.

Figure 2

Another good arrangement for advanced choirs is diagramed in gure 2. It is similar to the previous
arrangement, having many of the same advantages. It does not have the proximity of second alto and rst
tenor as the rst grouping but all the other advantages are present. An additional feature, however, is that
the entire second soprano section, for instance, is heard completely across the soprano side of the choir. The
same is true of the other parts when it is necessary for them to divide. Another asset is the placement of
the second tenors and baritones, and the second sopranos and rst altos. When the choir is divided for
eight parts a director will have made certain voice assignments to balance that particular choir. When music
divides into three women's parts and three men's parts the eight-part division will not provide a satisfying
balance. When this happens, a new assignment of voices is necessary and the second arrangement works
well for this. The middle parts of both the women's and men's voices are next to each other allowing for a
natural grouping into six parts.

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Connexions module: m33991

Figure 3

Placing the men's voices in the middle and front of the choir is a good idea when there is a weakness
in the tenor and bass parts, or when there simply are not enough of them (see g. 3). There is no need to
worry about divided parts because this arrangement is best for a young choir doing two-, three-, or four-part
music. Advanced choirs often do not blend as well in this arrangement as when the men's voices are placed
behind the women. If the tenors are few in number and weak, it may be necessary to place them across the
front row, in front of the basses. If there are many more women than men, the women can continue a row
behind, and even in front of, the men, thus placing the men in a pocket in the front center of the choir (see
g. 4).

Figure 4

The mixed or scrambled arrangement is now being used extensively (see g. 5). This grouping has
the advantage of producing a homogeneous sound and sometimes certain choirs will have a better balance.
Intermediate and advanced choirs will benet from this scrambling as a method of encouraging the choir
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Connexions module: m33991

members to be independently secure on their part and allowing them to hear each of the other parts easier.
The intonation of a choir usually improves noticeably when a choir is rst shifted to this arrangement.
The next proximity to all the other parts will stimulate each singer contribute toward a better ensemble
intonation. This arrangement, however, will not cure intonation problems caused by poor vocal technique.
Young or inexperienced choirs will rarely benet from this grouping, since it demands more than the singers
are capable of producing.

Figure 5

The mixed or scrambled arrangement is best used for homophonic music, particularly that of the eighteenth, nineteenth and some of the twentieth century, (particularly twentieth-century music in which considerable individual singing is required). Polyphonic repertoire may suer from this grouping because the
clarity of each part line demanded in the music can be lost in the scrambling of the sections.
Two variants of the scrambled arrangement are appropriate in some instances. Figure 6 shows a modied
scrambled arrangement retaining some advantages of section placement, particularly part security and part
denition. This arrangement is often most successful with intermediate level choirs.

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Connexions module: m33991

Figure 6

The second variant is to follow less strictly the arrangement shown in gure 5 by carefully placing
individual voices where desired until the proper balance and tone are achieved, regardless of the order
of parts. Although all arrangements rely on the ability of the director to decide by listening in which
arrangement the music and the choir sound the best, this arrangement is even more dependent upon the ear
of the director. Obviously, the nal decision is a personal one and will vary somewhat from one director to
another. A director will learn best from experience. Nothing can substitute for the experience of rearranging
a choir and hearing the change in the sound of the ensemble.

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