As a singer, it's very fulfilling to sing in a choir; a musical ensemble of voices with different vocal ranges. Music written specifically for such ensembles is also called a chorus. The term was coined in the 17th and 18th centuries - prior to that, it generally meant ensembles of musicians in the broader sense. The standard setup of a choir is made up of soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices; it is often abbreviated to SATB. Pieces written for this type of vocal ensemble can be sung by a group of people of different genders and ages, or by four soloists. SATB pieces are particularly common in oratorios from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms is a well-known example of this classical choral setup, with the four-part choir extended with the addition of soprano and baritone soloists. It is the composer's longest work, running a total of 65 to 80 minutes. The Mass in B minor by Johann Sebastian Bach is also a significant SATB piece and is considered one of the most important sacred compositions of all time. The mass runs for two hours.
Play our choral sheet music: We have a range of different SATB pieces for you to try out. Be part of a vocal ensemble and sing classics such as The Messiah, HWV 56 by Handel, Missa Solemnis, Opus 123 by Beethoven or Requiem in D Minor, Opus 48 by Fauré. The arrangements of our SATB sheet music are available in several levels of difficulty with the orchestral accompaniment.
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