Criteria for Choral Voice Classification

There is no standard method for determining basic voice classification (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) of high school choir students. Most practices seem to be based on tradition rather than research, and there are conflicting opinions about which criteria should or should not be considered, as well as which are the most important. This book compiles those opinions on voice classification (often hidden in the vast expanses of a comprehensive choral methods textbook) for comparison and analysis. In addition to the examination of scholarly literature, results of a survey of high school choir directors from across the state of Texas are included. This book focuses on the high school singer and would be particularly useful to high school choir directors and those in music teacher preparation classes.