Circle Singing

Circle Singing (German: "(in) circle sing") describes a way of making music for choirs . The choir director , a choir member or a vocal group sings a musical phrase that is repeated by the others as an ostinato or loop . Often the group stands in a circle. At the initiative of the management or individual ensemble members, this motif is overlaid by further ostinati, based on a prefabricated polyphonic movement or as part of an improvisation . Previous loops can be suspended and individual ensemble members can temporarily improvise solo using the circular structure (and also “leave the circle” spatially).

Circle songs have a long tradition, especially in African cultures . In today's western choral practice, they are used on the one hand as an exercise, for example to develop the musical sensitivity and improvisational skills of the choir members or to promote group dynamics . On the other hand, they also serve as an independent form of presentation at concerts .

literature

• Michael Betzner-Brandt : CHOIR CREATIVE - Singing without notes. Circle songs, voice games, sound concepts. Bosse Verlag, Kassel 2011, ISBN 978-3-7649-2805-6 .