Grade 7 & 8: Choral Speaking Techniques

Sourced: Kim Snider, York U Drama Arts Intermediate Basic AQ Course

What is Choral Speaking?

Choral speaking requires a group of performers to orally interpret, memorize and perform either poetry or prose using the spoken, not singing voice.

Types of Choral Speaking

Refrain: One person reads the narrative and the rest of the group joins in the refrain
Unison: The whole group reads the material together
Antiphonal: The class is divided into two or more groups with each group being responsible for a certain part
Cumulative: This is a method where groups of voices or individual voices are added to or subtracted depending on the intended meaning
Solo lines: Individuals read specific lines in appropriate places throughout the group activity
Line around: More solo work where each line is taken by a different person in the group

Making the performance interesting

Alternate: slow and fast lines, stanzas or paragraphs, loud and soft lines, low & high voices
Emphasis: Key words and phrases by reciting them in a louder or softer voice
Pause: pause for a specified number of silent ‘beats’, before continuing the next line or phrase
Unity: When groups of voices speak a line together, they must remain unified at all times (count or tap feet).
Articulation: Pay particular attention to articulation, especially the letter ‘t’ and the ends of words
Sound effects: Use body percussion, clap, click or make appropriate sound effects at the end of lines, stanzas or paragraphs. Incorporate music when appropriate
Bodily movement: Use gesture, choreography or other movement to enhance communication or better express meaning