Multi-track recordings of choral singers: Development and validation of a method to identify activities and interaction in the choral voice, based on recordings of the individual singers

Abstract

Methods to identify and explore actions of the individual choir singer are scarce and have rarely been systematically described. The aim of this study was to find, develop and evaluate a visualauditive method for collecting and analysing data from individual choir-singers. Multi-track recordings were performed and analysed. Two voice teachers and singers in a mixed high-school
choir with hand-held/head-mounted microphones were recorded on individual tracks. With the help of a computer software, the recordings were transferred for visual analysis. The detailed
actions of the singers were possible to identify and thus also actions indicating informal leadership could be identified. This method was concluded to be a useful instrument for collecting, comparing and analysing data from individual singers. Accordingly, the method is found to be valid and productive in choir research, the results of which might provide valuable knowledge of cooperation between choral singers, thus serving as a tool in choir conductors’ everyday work.