Speech ChoirPresented by:

Anabelle S. Dela Cerna, Ma. Ed.

What is a

SPEECH CHOIR?

Speech choirs are performance groups that recite speeches in unison, often with elements of choreography and costuming to help bring the speech to life.

It is also called choral speaking. It has a hallowed tradition.The first plays put on by the Greeks featured choruses of speakers.Today, speech choir is a popular teaching as well as a performing art.It operates like a musical choir minus the music, instead of singing, speech choirs perform spoken-word pieces like poems.

There are two (2) TYPES OF SPEECH CHOIR:1. Conventional Speech Choir or Traditional Speech Choir

and2. Dynamic Speech Choir or Theatrical Speech Choir

Traditional Speech Choir-it does not require to use costumes, props, nor choreography.-the choir just simply speaks or reads a literary piece

Dynamic Speech Choir

-it is the reverse of the conventional

speech choir

Elements of a Speech Choir

1. Members

The speech choir is typically the same size of a singing choir having anywhere from 12 to 100 members or more. However, most schools and competitions features choir of 25 to 40 members. The group is typically are divided into groups based on the members’ natural voices or speaking voices.

2. Pieces

Selections are typically poems or poetic passages, such as from Greek dramas or Shakespeare’s plays. The conductor gives some thought to the passage, breaking into parts. Facial expressions and intonation are also carefully planned so all the members can practice in unison. Solo parts for specific members can add dramatic effect.

3.Choreography

Choreography of movement is not necessary component for speech choir. Many successful competition choirs recite their pieces while standing in place with their hands at their sides, attention directed solely at the conductor. *However, in Greek tradition, speech choirs marched from side to side in alternating patterns called “strophe” and “antistrophe”.Thus, movement is a part of the rich history of speech choir and some conductors choose to choreograph elaborate movement to accompany their pieces.

4. Costuming

As with any other performance art, thought should be put into how the speech choir will dress. Costumes can be as simple as matching outfits or robes, such as a vocal choir would wear, or elaborate theatrical garb.  *Plain uniforms allow the audience to concentrate on facial expressions and allow the choir to recite several very different pieces in one performance.  *Themed costume for a single piece can highlight its meaning or help to differentiate between voice groups.

5. Voice Quality

The ability to combine successfully the light, medium, and dark voices in the choir . it is the ability to communicate through voice, reactions to thoughts or emotions. 

6. Number of Voices

The ability to add or subtract whole sections, banks, smaller groups, or solo speakers to increase or diminish the power or richness of the sound to better express the meaning.

7.Pitch

Pitch refers to the variations of the voice on the musical scale and is generally referred to as the inflection. Children generally have little problem with pitch because they use it naturally and freely.

8.Power

Ability to use volume, force, or loudness as emphasis in appropriate places to better express feeling and meaning. A power build should be related to the elements of a sentence and growing emotion.

9.Phrasing and rhythm

Ability to use phrasing and rhythm as reinforcements for each other. Each much blend to better express the meaning of the verse.

10.Tempo

Tempo refers to the rate of speed at which a reading progresses. The ability to balance the rhythm of a piece and the tempo of performance. Tempo should relate to the central “beat” of the poem. If it is too fast or too slow.

11.Staging

The ability to successfully organize and position the choir on stage or risers for the performance effect. The ability to stage entrances and exits which enhance the mood of the poem and the performance. The ability to “costume” speakers in a way which also enhances the performance as a whole.

What are the things to be

remembered in doing speech

choir?

1.BreathingThe most important part of any performing art, from playing an instrument to acting in a play is BREATHING. While we breath involuntarily all the time, many green performers forget to breath while on stage.

2.Articulation and DictionThe audience wants to hear what you have to say. If you don’t articulate, all they will hear is a bunch of mush. By practicing your articulation and diction, your words will be clear and vibrant. Strive to make every word lucid and colourful.

3.Connection to the group

A speech choir is a living organism made up on individuals, never forget that. You are not performing a monologue, you are a part of a group performance. Onstage, the choir is your family. Connecting with them will eliminate any stage fright. If anything unexpected happens, the group must respond and correct together.

4.The TextThe text is your guide; it’s what the audience came to see and hear you perform. Performing the texts requires you to know the text inside and out. Once you know what you are saying, add color and meaning to the words. Let the audience “see” what you are saying. Let your personal reaction to the words sprinkle meaning on the performance.

Some Tips for Speech Choir

1. Teach the students pronunciation.

Simply use a dictionary that has a pronunciation guide to it. Refer to its pronunciation key which you can find on its introductory pages to determine how a word is pronounced.

2.Teach them stress and intonation.

Things such as rising intonation and falling intonation are crucial in speech choir. Which word to be stressed depends also on your intended meaning.

3. A good number for speech choir is 40 members. But you can have 20-25 participants if so desired.

4. The contest piece is often a poem.

5. Divide your participants into three voices: light, medium

and dark. Medium are also females with deep voices. Dark are of course only males with very deep voices. There should also be a solo for each voice: solo light, solo medium and solo dark.

5. Arrange the contest piece before giving it to

your participants. This means that you have already assigned parts for each voice, for the solo and for the unison (meaning all three voices). Keep in mind though that even if all three voices speak together but their voices should be clearly distinct from each other.  This is called blending.

6. Memorize the piece.

If you are the conductor, the more you should memorize it. Before giving the contest piece to your participants, see to it that you have double-checked its pronunciation in the dictionary or the web.

7. Drill into your participants to feel the

piece. Their facial expression should reflect what they are speaking. Facial expressions can’t be taught. It should come from within. It should not look artificial but should come from their hearts.

8.Deliver with the intent to be understood.

-for conventional speech choir, actions and props are unnecessary. Simply standing with hands on their sides is enough. What counts are the voice and the facial expression.  Remember the audience should understand what you are talking about.

9.The conductor may stand at the back of the judges.

He may conduct in any manner he wants as long as he is able to guide his participants for an effective speech choir presentation.

10. Speech choir participants should only look at the

conductor the whole time of their presentation.

They should not fidget or make unnecessary moves throughout their delivery. Nevertheless they should not be standing tensed in front of the crowd but relaxed.

A speech is poetry: cadence, rhythm, imagery, sweep!  A speech reminds us that

words, like children, have the power to make dance the dullest beanbag of a heart. 

~Peggy Noonan

Thank you very much!