Concerts Less Ordinary

Rethinking the Choral Concert

Most choral concerts follow a familiar pattern.

Choir walks on.
Music is performed.
Applause.
More music.
Applause.

It works.

But it is also, very often, predictable and for some (yes, not everyone wants to be there), boring.

If we want performances to be memorable, we need to think not just about what we perform—but how we present it.

Because for an audience, the experience begins long before the first note, and continues long after the last.

One of the simplest ways to rethink a concert is through space.

What happens if the choir doesn’t stand in the usual formation?

Could singers be placed around the audience?
Could the performance move through the space?
Could different pieces come from different locations?

A small change in positioning can completely transform how the music is experienced.

And what about the audience?

Why do they always sit in rows, facing forward, watching from a distance?

Could they stand?
Could they move?
Could they be placed within the sound rather than in front of it?

Even small shifts—turning, repositioning, or inviting them to experience sound from different angles—can create a far more immersive experience.

Lighting is another powerful tool.

Many concerts take place under the same constant lighting throughout.

But music has shape, contrast, and character.

What happens if the lighting reflects that?

A subtle shift in colour or intensity can change the atmosphere instantly—without adding complexity. How about darkness?

Consider also the role of silence.

We often move quickly between pieces.

But space between items can be just as powerful as the music itself.

A moment of stillness allows the audience to absorb what they have heard—and prepares them for what comes next.

Programming offers further possibilities.

Instead of a sequence of unrelated pieces, could the programme tell a story?

Could there be a clear journey—from one idea to another?

Even a simple thread can give the audience something to follow.

There is also the question of communication.

How do we bring the audience into the performance?

This does not require long explanations.

A few carefully chosen words—spoken with clarity and intention—can create a connection.

And what about the singers?

An engaged performance comes from engaged performers.

If the concert format feels routine, the performance can become routine.

But when the experience feels different—when there is a sense of purpose, movement, or connection—energy changes.

None of this requires large-scale production.

It begins with a simple question:

What kind of experience are we creating?

Because a concert is not just a sequence of pieces.

It is a shared moment between performers and audience.

If we are willing to think beyond the expected, even small changes can make a performance feel distinctive.

Not by adding more—but by being more intentional.

Less ordinary does not mean more complicated.

It means more thoughtful.

Peter Futcher