Choral Reading

Mary Ann Reilly

What is Choral Reading?

1. Choral reading is simply reading in unison under the direction of a leader.

2. Choral speaking offers genuine opportunity for problem solving as each group works out its own presentation.

3. It has three major purposes:– learning– performance– enjoyment

Types of Choral Reading1. Refrain is one of the most common forms of choral speaking. One person reads the

narrative portion of the text while the rest of the class joins in the refrain.

2. Unison calls for the whole group to read the material together. Additional sound effects might be incorporated.

3. Antiphon calls for the class to be divided into two or more groups, with each group being responsible for a certain part of the selection.

4. Cumulative choral reading or speaking refers to a method where groups of voices or individual voices are added to or subtracted from the choral reading, depending on the message or the meaning communicated by the selection.

5. Solo Lines is a type of choral reading where individuals read specific lines in appropriate places throughout the group activity.

6. Line Around is more solo work where each line is taken by a different person in the group.

Example of Choral Reading Script

“The Dream Keeper”

By Langston Hughes

Speaker(s) TextAntiphonal 1 Bring me all

Antiphonal 2 of your dreams,

ALL you dreamers,

Antiphonal 1 Bring me all

Antiphonal 2 your heart melodies

Antiphonal 1 that I may wrap them

Antiphonal 2 in a blue cloud cloth,

Speakers 1, 2 Away

Speakers 3, 4 from the too-rough

ALL fingers of the world

Task

1. Working with your group, chorally arrange the poem, “The Song of Wandering Aengus” for performance by your group. As you work, please consider how your arrangement helps an audience to comprehend the text. For example, consider the number of voices and gender of those voices that you would want to say a word, line, and/or stanza as you work through the poem.

2. Practice performing the text.3. Chorally perform the text.