In medieval Europe, the music of a choir, which is a group of singers chant together, was an essential part of church masses. Usually during this period, the monks in monasteries sing in Latin. At present, music sung by choirs is based on this tradition of the church, called choral music.
Another kind of singing in groups are large scale musical performances called oratorios, where they sing a story. This type is based on Bible stories of the Jews and the Christians. Unlike choir music, oratorios do not have to be executed in church. An orchestra, with a choir and soloists, perform orations where the soloists sing necessary elements individually. The narrator conveys the tale in form of a song. Johann Sebastian Bach, a German composer, is famous for his church cantatas, which are stories sung by one or two singers who are complemented by different instruments.
Gospel music is one type of singing in groups as well. It’s particular among the Black American church singers who blend touches of jazz, hymns and their religious folksongs. Gospel choirs are worm and emotional, with audiences stamping their feet, clapping and dancing.
Of course, not all who sing in groups are choirs. Music groups include pop and rock bands, jazz bands, folk singers and a lot more. In a band, two or three can sing in the group, with one lead and the rest as back-up vocals. All of them can sing together too, like folk singers who can also alternate in singing.
And who wouldn’t be familiar with the famous boy bands singing in groups? There was New Kids in the Block during the early ‘90s, and in the mid to late ‘90s, more singing male groups emerged like Westlife, Backstreet Boys, and N’sync, to name a few. Indeed, their crooning and serenading, blending in their different tones made a lot of girl fans scream and shout!
Wouldn’t it be fun to sing in a group? Why not grab your friends and have a singing spree–sing like a choir, or perform like a boy band (or girl band for that matter). (: