The Choral Wheel

The purpose of the maps of Play It By Voice is to provide both singers and leaders with an overview and a common reference to activities in real life that the map reflects.

The Choral Wheel provides an overview of a typical development cycle of choirs and vocal groups.

Map #1

Cyclic processes

One round through a wheel like this can take two months, two weeks, twenty years or five minutes, for example, after which the group returns to a new starting point, from where the next project can begin to take shape.

When the group takes the time – in the ‘Celebrate’ phase of a cycle – to share personal and collective experiences during the course of the project so far, the group members will bring valuable experiences with them into the next round – in continuously ongoing development processes.

Expectations and responsibilities

What do singers commit to when they join a vocal group or choir? Which kinds of activity do they think that they sign up for?

Is it solely the choir director's responsibility to have an overview of the group's activities? Or do the singers share responsibility for the whole? What is required of each individual to ensure that the choir's activities are sustainable over time?

Starting point for a common understanding

For the needs of the choir as a whole, it is rarely enough that singers just show up at rehearsals, sing and then go home and put their attention to choir activities aside.

In order for everyone to contribute with their uniqueness, while also creating a vision for the choir's activities, it is essential that both singers and leaders have an overview of the parts and the whole. This, in turn, is a prerequisite for meeting the needs of both individuals and the collective.

Have fun, good luck!