A choir is a group of people who sing together, often in churches, schools, or concerts. They usually perform in parts, with different voices singing different notes that blend into harmony.
“Choir” comes from Old French “quer” or “choeur,” from Latin “chorus,” meaning a group of singers or dancers. The spelling shifted under the influence of Greek-based spellings, but the pronunciation stayed closer to “quire.”
The spelling of “choir” looks like it should rhyme with “chore,” but it secretly follows the older pronunciation path of words like “quire.” Choirs are living math—they turn separate sound waves into a single, rich wave your brain hears as harmony. When you sing in a choir, your heartbeat can literally sync with others.
Choirs have long been organized by voice type and often by gender, with traditions like boys’ choirs and restrictions on women singing in certain religious settings. This contributed to gendered expectations around vocal roles and musical authority.
Use 'choir' neutrally and avoid assuming gender from voice part; when describing ensembles, prefer terms like 'soprano, alto, tenor, bass' without tying them rigidly to gender.
["vocal ensemble","choral group"]
Acknowledge women and nonbinary choral directors, composers, and singers whose roles have expanded and diversified choral music beyond older gender restrictions.
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