Women's choir
Choir made up exclusively of women's voices (soprano and alto).
What it means
A women's choir is a choir made up exclusively of women's voices, that is, soprano and alto, often in two voice groups each. It usually sings in three or four parts, for example as SSA or SSAA, and has a bright, soft, and agile sound.
Musical use
Women's choirs arose in convents, schools, and later in societies and concert choirs. The tonal range is higher than in a mixed choir, which calls for particular ways of writing. Composers wrote specially for the combination, such as Franz Schubert with the 23rd Psalm D 706 and Johannes Brahms with the Four Songs op. 17 for women's choir, two horns, and harp. Works for men's or mixed choir are also arranged for women's choir.
The women's choir should be distinguished from the mixed choir with men's voices (SATB), from the men's choir, and from the children's choir, which consists of children of both sexes or of boys. It differs in sound through its higher range and the absence of low men's voices.
Performance practice
In a women's choir, watch for secure intonation in the high range and an even sound between the parts. Since the tonal range is narrow, inaccuracies are heard sooner; so sing with good breath support and listen to the middle part so the harmony stays stable.