Speech Choir Presentation

Speech Choir
Speech Choir
 is performance group that recites speeches in unison, often with elements of

choreography and costuming to help bring the speech to life.
 is also called choral speaking. It has a hallowed tradition. The first plays put on by
the Greeks featured choruses of speakers. Today, speech choir is a popular
teaching as well as a performing art. It operates like a musical choir minus the
music, instead of singing, speech choirs perform spoken-word pieces like poems.
Two (2) TYPES OF SPEECH CHOIR
• Conventional Speech Choir or Traditional Speech Choir

does not require to use costumes, props, nor choreography
the choir just simply speaks or reads a literary piece
• Dynamic Speech Choir or Theatrical Speech Choir

is the reverse of the conventional speech choir
Elements of a Speech Choir
1. Members
The speech choir is typically the same size of a singing choir having anywhere from
12 to 100 members or more. However, most schools and competitions features choir
of 25 to 40 members. The group is typically divided into groups based on the
members’ natural voices or speaking voices.
2. Pieces
Selections are typically poems or poetic passages, such as from Greek dramas or
Shakespeare’s plays. The conductor gives some thought to the passage, breaking into
parts. Facial expressions and intonation are also carefully planned so all the members
can practice in unison. Solo parts for specific members can add dramatic effect.
3. Choreography
Choreography of movement is not necessary component for speech choir. Many successful competition
choirs recite their pieces while standing in place with their hands at their sides, attention directed solely at
the conductor. *However, in Greek tradition, speech choirs marched from side to side in alternating
patterns called “strophe” and “antistrophe”. Thus, movement is a part of the rich history of speech choir
and some conductors choose to choreograph elaborate movement to accompany their pieces.
4. Costuming
As with any other performance art, thought should be put into how the speech choir will dress. Costumes
can be as simple as matching outfits or robes, such as a vocal choir would wear, or elaborate theatrical
garb. *Plain uniforms allow the audience to concentrate on facial expressions and allow the choir to recite
several very different pieces in one performance. *Themed costume for a single piece can highlight its
meaning or help to differentiate between voice groups.
5. Voice Quality
The ability to combine successfully the light, medium, and dark voices in the choir . it is the ability to
communicate through voice, reactions to thoughts or emotions.
6. Number of Voices
The ability to add or subtract whole sections, banks, smaller groups, or solo speakers to increase or diminish
the power or richness of the sound to better express the meaning.
7. Pitch
Pitch refers to the variations of the voice on the musical scale and is generally referred to as the inflection.
Children generally have little problem with pitch because they use it naturally and freely.
8. Power
Ability to use volume, force, or loudness as emphasis in appropriate places to better express feeling and
meaning. A power build should be related to the elements of a sentence and growing emotion.
9. Phrasing and rhythm

Ability to use phrasing and rhythm as reinforcements for each other. Each much blend to better express the
meaning of the verse.
10. Tempo
Tempo refers to the rate of speed at which a reading progresses. The ability to balance the rhythm of a piece
and the tempo of performance. Tempo should relate to the central “beat” of the poem. If it is too fast or too
slow.
11. Staging
The ability to successfully organize and position the choir on stage or risers for the
performance effect. The ability to stage entrances and exits which enhance the mood
of the poem and the performance. The ability to “costume” speakers in a way which
also enhances the performance as a whole.
What are the things to be remembered in doing
speech choir?
1. Breathing
The most important part of any performing art, from playing an instrument to acting in a play is
BREATHING. While we breath involuntarily all the time, many green performers forget to breath while on
stage.
2. Articulation and Diction

The audience wants to hear what you have to say. If you don’t articulate, all they will hear is a bunch of
mush. By practicing your articulation and diction, your words will be clear and vibrant. Strive to make every
word lucid and colorful.
What are the things to be remembered in doing speech
choir?
3. Connection to the group

A speech choir is a living organism made up on individuals, never forget that. You are not performing a
monologue, you are a part of a group performance. Onstage, the choir is your family. Connecting with them
will eliminate any stage fright. If anything unexpected happens, the group must respond and correct together.
4. The Text
The text is your guide; it’s what the audience came to see and hear you perform. Performing the texts
requires you to know the text inside and out. Once you know what you are saying, add color and meaning to
the words. Let the audience “see” what you are saying. Let your personal reaction to the words sprinkle
meaning on the performance.
Some Tips for Speech Choir
1. Study the pronunciation.

Simply use a dictionary that has a pronunciation guide to it. Refer to its pronunciation key which you can
find on its introductory pages to determine how a word is pronounced.
2. Study the stress and intonation.

Things such as rising intonation and falling intonation are crucial in speech choir. Which word to be stressed
depends also on your intended meaning.
3. A good number for speech choir is 40 members. But you can have 20-25 participants if so desired.
4. The contest piece is often a poem.

5. Divide your participants into three voices: light, medium and dark. Medium are also females with deep
voices. Dark are of course only males with very deep voices. There should also be a solo for each voice: solo
light, solo medium and solo dark.
Arrange the contest piece before giving it to your participants. This means that you have already assigned
parts for each voice, for the solo and for the unison (meaning all three voices). Keep in mind though that
even if all three voices speak together but their voices should be clearly distinct from each other. This is
called blending.
6. Memorize the piece.

If you are the conductor, the more you should memorize it. Before giving the contest piece to your
participants, see to it that you have double-checked its pronunciation in the dictionary or the web.
7. Drill into your participants to feel the piece.

Their facial expression should reflect what they are speaking. Facial expressions can’t be taught. It should
come from within. It should not look artificial but should come from their hearts.
8. Deliver with the intent to be understood.

-for conventional speech choir, actions and props are unnecessary. Simply standing with hands on their sides
is enough. What counts are the voice and the facial expression. Remember the audience should understand
what you are talking about.
9. The conductor may stand at the back of the judges. He may conduct in any manner he wants as long as he
is able to guide his participants for an effective speech choir presentation.
10. Speech choir participants should only look at the conductor the whole time of their presentation. They
should not fidget or make unnecessary moves throughout their delivery. Nevertheless they should not be
standing tensed in front of the crowd but relaxed.
Thank You!

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Speech Choir

 is performance group that recites speeches in unison, often with elements of

• Conventional Speech Choir or Traditional Speech Choir

• Dynamic Speech Choir or Theatrical Speech Choir

9. Phrasing and rhythm

2. Articulation and Diction

3. Connection to the group

1. Study the pronunciation.

2. Study the stress and intonation.

4. The contest piece is often a poem.

6. Memorize the piece.

7. Drill into your participants to feel the piece.

8. Deliver with the intent to be understood.

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