Choralia provides free training aids for choral singers. Audio files are provided, which allow singers to gradually learn their parts by listening to electronically-synthesized sound.
The main technology is named Virtual Singer (VS), as lyrics are also "sung" by electronically-synthesized human voices. An older technology, named Client Music Synthesis (CMS), simulated voices using a simple "doo doo" sound, and it is now discontinued (although all training aids produced in CMS technology remain available).
Three training levels are available: the first level, that only contains an individual part (say, alto), plus metronome clicks that help to learn the "tempo" and to understand the score; the second level, where all the choir voices are present, however the individual part is emphasized in comparison to the others, using a higher volume; and the third level, where all the voices are synthesized with the same sound and with the same volume. Initially, the singer should learn their part using the first two levels, and then to test their knowledge of the music by singing over the third-level audio track. If the singer is able to sing their part without being mislead by the other voices, they are probably ready for group rehearsal. If not, more practice with first or second level tracks may be required.
Listening to a recording of a real choir can be then regarded as a fourth training level, where one learns tempo and dynamics variations that, at least in part, are intentionally neglected at the previous levels. Group rehearsal may be considered as a fifth level, where the director will refine the choir interpretation, and will add their final and personalized touch.
Depending on their individual music skill, each singer will find the best level to start with. More experienced singers may skip the basic levels, while others will not.
Brief audio samples of the first three training levels for both the technologies are provided in the Samples section. Works available in VS technology can be listened to and/or downloaded from the mp3 catalogue page. Please read the mp3 manual for details.
All files can be downloaded and/or listened free of charge and without entering any personal information. However, a small donation is much appreciated, as producing such files and maintaining the website costs money and, especially, time. Donations increase the likelihood of more works being made available. A fraction of all donations received is used to support The Choral Public Domain Library. See the Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) section for details about our licensing policy and reasonable donation amounts.
