By Ana Carolina Morales

The human voice is the oldest musical instrument there is. It can produce diverse sounds, from soft and beautiful to deep and powerful, tense, elegant, and many other variations. As a musical instrument, it is unique because not two voices are identical. Singing is natural, and anyone who receives proper training can find and develop the uniqueness of their voice.

According to this article from Scientific American magazine, “Our voice is the only musical instrument that is both a string and a wind instrument.” The piece expresses that breathing causes the vocal cords to vibrate; it gives each individual a unique vocal imprint. “There are seven billion humans, seven billion different voices.”

For Wilma Cedeño, choir program coordinator of El Sistema Texas, voices are like fingerprints. Even though there are similarities among singers, there’s a range of notes and pitches. Each voice differs from person to person.

She explained that anyone can learn to sing if they are willing to pay attention and have discipline and responsibility. “Some people have a natural talent for singing, but anyone can become a singer with training. Even those born with talent must receive training to master the technique and achieve vocal health,” states Cedeño.

But to unveil the melodies of the musical instrument people have within, it is necessary to understand the type of voice, its versatility, and the cultural and emotional significance it has to expressing oneself through the power of singing.

Types of Voices

In choirs, there are vocal categories. They are clear: voices (when children and women sing); dark voices, the male ones.

Within the clear voices, there are sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, and altos (ranging from the highest timbre to the lowest).

For children’s choirs, the vocal categories are first, second, and third voices.

The dark voices are tenors, baritones, and basses (also ranging from the highest to the lowest tone).

This Kennedy Center article details that to determine a type of voice, everything depends on the vocal range, and a deciding factor is the timbre or tonal quality. “Timbre is the phenomenon of the specific color or texture of a voice.”

The Instrument Within

The voice is a musical instrument that all humans carry with them, and using it to sing has many benefits in cognitive development and emotional expression.

It is universal and a tool of emotional expression because every person has a way to express themselves. It is versatile because of the sounds that can mimic different tunes.

The voice connects the singer’s body and emotions. Singing stimulates cognitive development and has a cultural significance that can evoke emotions and connect people across cultures.

There’s no adequate age to develop one’s voice. The creation of melodies is subject to composition that can be independent of the singer. Small musicians start by imitation, and by practicing and studying, they can understand musical reading and music theory.

For Cedeño, the voice is an instrument we all possess, and we must take care of it with adequate vocal hygiene.

El Sistema Texas Choir

Do you want to join El Sistema Texas Hispanic Symphony Choir? There are auditions open all year round. If you want to apply, send a message to the following email choir@elsistematexas.org and fill out this online form. Candidates do not require experience.

In 2024, the choir exceeded expectations with their talent. One of their students was among the best singing voices of Katy ISD. In March, children sang in a combined choir in Bryan and Brenham. Their voices delighted the audience.

To learn more about El Sistema Texas choir, check out our Social Media accounts @elsistematexas.