Vocal health in the choral rehearsal: Common ground for operatically trained singers, studio voice teachers and choral conductors

Recent research and experimentation by Johan Sundberg, Ingo R. Titze, Mirano Hirano, William Vennard, and many others have contributed greatly to the understanding of voice physiology and function. Nevertheless, much anecdotal evidence reveals that there are continuing vocal problems experienced by operatically trained singers in the collegiate choral rehearsal. Although previous research has dealt with these problems in various specialized ways, no study has attempted to integrate contemporary voice research with vocal pedagogy and choral methodology. This study will summarize the last thirty years of research in the physiology and function of the singing voice. In addition, it will present relevant vocal health concerns, and discuss possible causes of vocal fatigue. Finally, this study will suggest some choral rehearsal techniques that incorporate basic knowledge of voice function. By utilizing these techniques, operatically trained singers should be able to participate in a collegiate choral ensemble without experiencing vocal fatigue, compromising vocal development, or risking vocal injury