Foreword to The Choral Singer's Companion

In The Choral Singer’s Companion, Ronald Corp has accomplished the rare feat of writing an essential reference book that is also a pleasure to read. Information on choral music – the repertoire, the composers, the texts, the instrumentations, the durations – can be surprisingly hard to find. What is the playing time of the Mozart Requiem? What is the exact orchestral requirement for Handel’s Saul? How many soloists does the Bach St. John Passion call for? What choral repertoire is there with brass accompaniment? Anyone involved in planning a choral concert needs answers to such questions, and The Choral Singer’s Companion provides them.

Yet there is more to this deceptively slim volume than a compendium of statistics. For the programme-note writer, there are succinct biographies of the composers, useful descriptions of their main choral works, and some frequently-set texts written out with translations. For the conductor, there are wise words of advice on conducting itself and on the often neglected art of programme building. For the singer, there is a valuable chapter on vocal technique and a glossary of musical terms. And last but not least, any lover of choral music can browse with pleasure through the entire book.

Choral music has possibly a longer history and more diverse repertoire than any other musical genre. Choral singing remains one of the most richly rewarding of corporate experiences. In an age where the solitude of the computer screen drives people apart and threatens to oust real group activity, the world needs its choirs more than ever before, in church, in school, in the concert hall, and in the community. This excellent book will help to inform and nourish all who are interested in choral music, whether as participants or listeners. It deserves the warmest of welcomes.

John Rutter

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