the finest a cappella choral works in the
region's most distinctive buildings,
seeking to entertain, educate, and inspire
Listed below are a number of technical terms which
frequently apply to the repertoire performed by the Chamber Chorus and
may often be found in the program notes.
English terms
anthem/motet
antiphony
chromaticism
counterpoint
homophony
liturgy
madrigal
melisma
minimalism
polyphony
word painting
unison
choral setting of a religious text not
forming part of the liturgy
dividing the sound between two opposing groups of singers
using notes not found in the chosen diatonic scale
combining two or more melodies; repeating the melody in
different voices is a canon, while imitating them at related
pitches is a fugue
all voices moving at the same time
prayers and hymns specified for a particular service, e.g. Mass
secular choral work flourishing in the 16th and 17th centuries;
later called part song
one syllable sung to several notes
compositional style which develops melody or harmony by the
least steps possible
several voice parts acting independently, not singing same words
at the same time; opposite is monophony
conveying in melody, harmony or rhythm the sentiment or meaning
of the text
voices singing at one pitch (or in octaves)
Italian terms
(the plural changes the final -o
to -i)
a cappella
crescendo
decrescendo
forte
glissando
legato
leggiero
mezzo
ostinato
portamento
rallentando
Requiem
ritardando
ritenuto
sforzando
staccato
tempo
tutti
unaccompanied singing (literally, 'in
the chapel')
increasing in volume
weakening in volume; sometimes called diminuendo
loud; opposite is piano
sliding upwards or downwards of adjacent notes
smooth phrasing
light singing; opposite is marcato
medium
the repetition of a rhythmic or melodic motif
moving between notes with no appreciable break in sound
getting slower; sometimes ritardando
Catholic Mass for the Dead, opening with the text Requiem
æternam dona eis, Domine (Rest eternal grant them, Lord)
reducing speed
slow at once
sudden attack, with force
separated or detached phrasing; opposite is legato
speed
all singing; opposite is solo
The Saint Louis Chamber Chorus
PO Box 11558, Clayton, MO 63105
636.458.4343
stlchamberchorus@gmail.com
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