The Effect of Choir Spacing on Choral Singers’ Perceptions of Efficient Vocal Production
James F. Daugherty, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Choral Music Education
The University of Kansas
email: jdaugher@ku.edu
This presentation summarizes data from a series of studies that examined the
effects of different spacings (close, lateral, circumambient) among and between
choral singers (N=110) in three different choirs (high school and university)
on singers’ perceptions of vocal production and auditor (N=280) preferences
for desirable choral sound. Choral singers reported significant differences
in perceived efficiency of vocal production when in spread spacing, and auditors
overall significantly preferred the choral sound of spread spacing. More vocally
mature male singers reported a preference for lateral spacing, while female
singers overall preferred circumambient spacing. Results will be discussed in
terms of theories of self-to-other singer ratios in particular acoustic environments,
parameters of healthy vocal production in choral ensembles, and the adequacy
of traditional wisdom concerning choir formations typically found in choral
methods and conducting preparation materials.