# Choral — Genre

> Music for choir (group of singers). Sacred or secular. Powerful collective sound.

## Defining elements

- Multiple voices (typically 16-100+)
- Voice parts: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass (SATB)
- A cappella or accompanied
- Often sacred / liturgical
- Polyphonic (multiple melodies) or homophonic (chordal)

## Sub-types

- **Sacred choral** — liturgical (Mozart Requiem, Bach Mass)
- **Secular choral** — concert music (Whitacre, Lauridsen)
- **A cappella** — voice only (Pentatonix, classical traditions)
- **Spirituals / gospel** — African-American tradition
- **Modern choral** — contemporary composers (Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo)
- **Choir + orchestra** — large works (Beethoven 9th, Carmina Burana)

## Voice parts

- **Soprano** — highest female (S)
- **Alto** — lower female (A)
- **Tenor** — higher male (T)
- **Bass** — lowest male (B)
- **Mezzo / Baritone** — middle voices (less common in choir)

Standard SATB choir: 4 main parts.

## Typical accompaniment

- A cappella (no instruments)
- Piano accompaniment
- Organ (sacred)
- Orchestra (large works)
- Modern: optional electronic

## Production characteristics

- Concert hall acoustic
- Natural reverb
- Spot mics on sections + room mics
- Wide dynamic range
- Layered voices

## Lyrics direction

- Sacred (Latin in Catholic, German in Lutheran, English in modern)
- Poetic texts
- Modern: any meaningful text
- Often translated to local language

## For Suno

```
[Style: modern choral (Eric Whitacre style), 70 BPM, D major with 
extended chord clusters, SATB choir a cappella with rich harmonies, 
heavy reverb concert hall acoustic, no instruments, ethereal sustained]
```

## Examples

- Eric Whitacre (modern, popular)
- Ola Gjeilo (modern, Norwegian)
- Arvo Pärt (minimalist sacred)
- Bach (Baroque sacred)
- Pentatonix (modern a cappella pop)
- Tallis Scholars (early music revival)

## Avoid

- Single voice (defeats genre)
- Heavy drums
- Auto-tune
- Pop song structure (usually)
- Aggressive dynamics