Presented by:

Anabelle S. Dela Cerna, Ma. Ed.

What is a
SPEECH
CHOIR?
Speech choirs are
performance groups that
recite speeches in unison,
often with elements of
choreography and costuming
to help bring the speech to
life.
It 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.
There are two (2) TYPES
OF SPEECH CHOIR:
1. Conventional Speech
Choir or Traditional
Speech Choir
and
2. Dynamic Speech Choir
or Theatrical Speech
Choir
 Traditional Speech Choir
-it does not require to use
costumes, props, nor
choreography.
-the choir just simply
speaks or reads a literary
piece

Dynamic Speech
Choir
-it 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 are 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 colourful.
 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. Teach the students
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.Teach them 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.
 5. 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 very much!