Finding your voice

During rehearsals you’ll work with other members of your voice part. Your voice type, generally speaking, is determined by how high or low you can sing.

Female singers performing in a choir

Higher voice types

The higher voice parts are normally performed by female members although people of all genders might have the vocal range to perform these parts.

Soprano

Sopranos sing the highest notes, they normally perform the melody or tune of the songs we perform.

Alto

Altos sing in a lower range than sopranos, altos often sing in harmony with the sopranos and hold the melody in some songs.

Male singers performing in a choir

Lower voice types

The lower voice parts are normally performed by male members although people of all genders might have the vocal range to perform these parts.

Tenor

Tenors are normally considered the highest male singers. Some men, known as countertenors can sing even higher.

Baritone

The most common male vocal type, the baritone range sits between tenor and bass with some overlap each way. In most arrangements (made for soprano, alto, tenor and bass choirs, known as SATB arrangements) the baritones sing with the basses.

Bass

The basses perform the lowest notes in the choir, the basses often provide the 'pedal' for choral harmonies, rarely singing melodies but are vital in making choral harmonies sound rich and exciting.

Join Collective

From breathtaking classical pieces to the latest movie-musical smash hits, we help young people in the North East find their voice and discover the joy of singing.

There is no audition and everyone from 16-35+ is welcome.

Join us
A group of singers on choir risers
Members of Collective with the BBC Youth Choir Academy