What is the range of a children's choir?

Hi everyone, I'm currently in the planning stages for my next piece and I was thinking I'd like to incorporate a children's choir into it, the trouble is I don't know the vocal ranges. I'm assuming that there is no bass, but other than that I'm not sure what register is possible. Anyway, I hope you can help.

Thanks! :)

Jackson

wikipedia

google

different countries childs have different ranges, even if that sounds weird ...

in general terms,

I'd say that....

Soprano Boys Bb3 to G5

Alto Boys G3 to Eb5

Soprano Girls C4 to A5

Alto Girls A3 to F5

that's what I've noted, I might be wrong

Girls in overtones ..... up to G#28 ..... :D

wikipedia

google

I googled it and got the wikipedia page but couldn't find the ranges, so I thought I'd ask here. I'm not lazy, I did look before I posted. :)

Children's choirs usually range from "dear god make the noise stop" to "shut the brats up, please!"

Children's voices are not meant to be heard.

where do you plan to "incorporate" the childrens choir ?

Childrens choir +

+ Orchestra ?

+ Piano ?

+ Grown-up Choir ? ...

+ ?

wikipedia

google

That's a bad idea, seeing as I've come across tons of inaccuracies with ranges on Wikipedia.

How about looking in an orchestration book?

That involves reaching for the nearest bookshelf. Clicking and typing is much easier than getting out of a chair to find a book. And if said book does not reside on aforementioned bookshelf, it now becomes necessary to A) find out what book has the necessary information B) buy it. All of this probably involves (god forbid) leaving the home, thus you can see why people prefer to just ask other people on internet forums.

Btw., what ranges have you found to be erroneous on Wikipedia.org? There's probably a reason for why they have what they have. If you take issue with it, change it. It's Wikipedia. If somebody changes it back and asks for a source, there's a Talk Page for a reason.

Children's choirs usually range from "dear god make the noise stop" to "shut the brats up, please!"

Children's voices are not meant to be heard.

you are NO FUN!!!! (but... I kinda agree with you)

The only time I liked childrens voices was in Orff's Carmina Burana.

The only time I liked childrens voices was in Orff's Carmina Burana.

Yes but do you realize how Orff uses the ragazzi ... that's why I asked "where do you (Jacksonlast) plan to "incorporate" the childrens choir ?"

Yes but do you realize how Orff uses the ragazzi ... that's why I asked "where do you (Jacksonlast) plan to "incorporate" the childrens choir ?"

Oh... good point. haha.

"keep it on the treble clef staff" is generally a good rule of thumb. Or maybe a bit below. But why do that? Kids can't sing. Only time it's good to have children in a choir is an all-boys treble section in a Palestrina mass.

Where it will actually sound good? Between G5 and A3.....

Okay, it sounds like the Children's Choir is a bad idea... I only wanted to use voices in the upper register and have a piano filling out the bass clef, so that's why I was thinking a children's choir. I suppose I could just write it for soprano and alto adults though if Children's Choirs sound as horrible as everyone seems to say.

Jackson

That involves reaching for the nearest bookshelf. Clicking and typing is much easier than getting out of a chair to find a book. And if said book does not reside on aforementioned bookshelf, it now becomes necessary to A) find out what book has the necessary information B) buy it. All of this probably involves (god forbid) leaving the home, thus you can see why people prefer to just ask other people on internet forums.

Btw., what ranges have you found to be erroneous on Wikipedia.org? There's probably a reason for why they have what they have. If you take issue with it, change it. It's Wikipedia. If somebody changes it back and asks for a source, there's a Talk Page for a reason.

I don't remember, quite a few. Also its interesting that you seem to suggest that having an orchestration book is a bad thing.

Okay, it sounds like the Children's Choir is a bad idea... I only wanted to use voices in the upper register and have a piano filling out the bass clef, so that's why I was thinking a children's choir. I suppose I could just write it for soprano and alto adults though if Children's Choirs sound as horrible as everyone seems to say.

Jackson

Yeah, go with SSA chorus. That ensemble is so neglected anyhow, it'd be good to get more literature.

you mmmmmay use the childrens, just don't leave them alone, :)

literally and musically.

Children voices may add some different color to the total voices, but the children alone, not, I don't think so, .... and please .... don't use a children as a solist. bad bad bad

The other day I bought a version of Bach Matthew Passion, but I didn't realize in the solists names were a male name in "Soprano" .... when I listened to it and when "Ebarme dich" came on ...... wuorrrrr horrible, horrible, I almost wanted to go to the store and tell them "here's your disc (3 cds actually) I want my money back"

That's true... Children's voices under some SSA or even High Males can add a timbre that is a unique sound. Bernstein did it in his Mass, I believe, (even though he had them alone at most points).