Choral Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of December, and this year the day will be celebrated on December 12. Music, like other creative arts, brings people together. We find comfort in music and often use it to express our emotions. Whether in joy or sadness, music has been our constant companion. Choral Day celebrates the incredible gift of music and especially choral music. When we think of choirs, we associate them with church music that is energetic and uplifting. For many of us, singing along to the choir is one of the best things about attending church!
History of Choral Day
Choral Day was celebrated for the first time in 1990 in Helsinki by Alberto Grau. Grau is a composer, teacher, and choral director from Venezuela. He is also the founder of the ‘Schola Cantorum de Caracas,’ a Venezuelan choral group that has achieved certain popularity among music lovers. Grau and his group have worked together on projects that have been the basis for creating numerous development projects of musical art. Grau has also spearheaded the Schola Cantorum Foundation of Caracas and Foundation Coral Cantemos movements, among others.
Now, almost 26 years later, Choral Day has become a global event where choir groups from across the world take part in. The day helps bring people together to honor the peace and harmony that music brings. Choral Day is also observed in historically conflicted locations hoping that music will bring peace to such places, and people will benefit from the music lessons and seek comfort.
Choral Day reminds us that music helps people bond in many different ways — it’s quite common to make friends with those who share a similar taste in music. The day is celebrated at different musical concerts where both adults and children can enjoy and discover new music. Most of us appreciate musical talent, and it is truly such a beautiful way to communicate our feelings. Music can also bring people together and show us how we all benefit from a harmonious existence. Choral Day is dedicated to these principles and our shared goal of bringing peace and harmony through music.
Choral Day timeline
The Mesopotamians create the first notes of music.
The church offers prayers through songs.
The homophonic Baroque style of music begins.
Music now incorporates multiple notes, strains, and sounds.
Choral Day FAQs
What kind of music is choral?
Choral music is performed by a group of singers or a choir. The singers may perform without accompaniment or by any instrumental combination, from piano to full orchestra. Choral music can be polyphonic, which consists of two or more autonomous vocal lines.
What does choral mean?
It means or relates to a chorus or choir in a choral group.
How many singers sing choral music?
A chorus, choral society, or large ensemble is usually a choir of 40 or more singers and often includes more than 100 people. These groups typically sing large works like operas, oratorios, or similar compositions. A chamber choir will never include more than 40 singers and will often be considerably smaller.
How To Celebrate Choral Day
Sign up with a choral group
On Choral Day, sign up with your local choral group. You will be surprised to find how much fun choral music can be.
Attend a concert
Choral Day is celebrated with concerts and performances. Attend one to enjoy the full experience.
Listen to your favorite music
If you cannot attend a concert, celebrate at home by listening to your favorite choral music or any other genre that you like.
5 Important Facts About Choral Music
The word has its origin in Greek
The terms are derived from the Greek word ‘choros.’
It has a long history
It was heard in Sumerian temples as early as 3000 B.C.
Developed in the 1300s
The famous Notre Dame Mass enjoyed popularity for the next two centuries.
It relates to events in Christ’s life
For example, “Passion” is a musical setting of the story of Christ's death.
Choir groups used to be quite small
From the 1800s, concert choruses of 100 or more singers became widely popular.
Why We Love Choral Day
We love music
We all love music. Music brings joy and relieves stress. Choral Day celebrates this very spirit of music, and that’s why the day is loved by so many of us.
A day to do something new
Listen to choral music or sign up with a choral group. Use Choral Day to try something you haven’t done before.
It sends a message of peace and harmony
Choral Day reminds us of the powerful role that music plays in bringing about peace and harmony. The day celebrates all the noble qualities of music.
Choral Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | December 11 | Sunday |
| 2023 | December 10 | Sunday |
| 2024 | December 8 | Sunday |
| 2025 | December 14 | Sunday |
| 2026 | December 13 | Sunday |
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