Work Packages & Timeline

The CHOROS project will be realized in 6 work packages as follows:

• Work Package 1

will investigate the influence of room and stage acoustics on the performance of a small vocal ensemble. The evaluation will consider both qualitative and quantitative measures. These aspects will be discussed through outreach to choral singers and conductors, as well as external advisors. Data will be collected from acoustic measurements, models, and other repositories of various rehearsal and performance spaces and will be analysed in order to provide an initial understanding of the acoustic interactions between venue characteristics and their effect on chorister self-sound and choir-sound perception.

• Work Package 2

aims to investigate the impact of acoustic conditions and choir layouts on small vocal ensembles through objective and subjective studies. Vocal aspects such as loudness, intonation, timbre, and other phonological issues will be examined. Implementation of this stage will include recordings of such ensembles, using individual, head-mounted microphones - one for each chorister - to allow for accurate analysis of many pertinent acoustic factors.

• Work Package 3

includes the software implementation of a virtual choir simulation, which will feature both visual and audio cues, using binaural audio renderings of ambisonics audio content from real, small vocal ensemble recordings. The geometrical model of each space will be tuned with its corresponding room impulse responses using a geometrical acoustic simulator. An accurate and immersive sound perceptual experience will be provided by a head-related transfer function using a head-mounted display and headphones.

• Work Package 4

will focus on participants' experiences when placed in different choir layouts in relation to acoustics in a virtual setting. Both objective and subjective studies will be used to evaluate the impact of this setting on singing aspects, such as intonation, rhythm synchronization, and timbre.

• Work Package 5

is structured to disseminate the scientific outcomes and cultural implications of this project, in order to maximize its impact on the research community and ensure the maximum level of engagement with its target user groups (musicians, choristers, choirs, conductors etc) whether amateur or professionals. It will include the development of a project website and a public repository for CHOROS scientific publications, as well as an outreach program, featuring events with the team members and external advisors. It will also include a workshop for the choral and scientific community, where participants will be introduced to the project and its results.

• Work Package 6

is placed to effectively organise the management details and processes of the CHOROS project, ensuring that the project is implemented in accordance with the accepted proposal plan and its objectives are achieved according to the approved timeline and budget.