choir
An organised group of singers who perform together, typically divided into soprano, alto, tenor, and bass sections.
In Depth
A choir (also spelled quire in older English) is an ensemble of singers performing together, usually divided into four voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass (SATB). Choirs range in size from small chamber choirs of 12-20 voices to massive festival choruses of several hundred.
Choral singing is one of the oldest and most widespread forms of communal music-making. Church choirs have existed since the earliest days of Christianity, and secular choral societies flourished from the 18th century onward. Singing in a choir has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and create strong social bonds — the synchronised breathing and shared vibration create a uniquely communal experience.
Studies have shown that choir members' heartbeats synchronise when they sing together — their pulses speed up and slow down in unison with the music.