Orchestras are LOUD

Yes, the title of this post seems rather obvious. But have you tried singing in a choir behind the wind and brass section of an orchestra the same size as the choir?

I’m part of the Crystal Children’s Choir, and we are having a joint performance with SJYS. Today was the second joint rehearsal, and, once again, it ended with my voice half gone.

Logically, an instrument is much louder than a human voice. The problem here is that the orchestra is about the same size as the choir. The choir is standing behind the winds and brasses. This means that between the choir and the conductor, there is a giant block of volume. End result? Sore throat for the choristers.