Chorus vs. Ensemble: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on October 22, 2023
Chorus typically refers to a group singing in unison or a repeated section in a song; Ensemble denotes a group of musicians, actors, or dancers performing together.
Key Differences
Chorus is a term that primarily indicates a collective of singers, especially one that sings in unison or harmony, often accompanying a soloist. Ensemble, in contrast, is a broader term that encompasses any group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together, regardless of the art form.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
Within the context of music, particularly in songs and hymns, a Chorus refers to the repeated section, usually after each verse, that has consistent lyrics and tune. On the other hand, Ensemble can specifically relate to a group of instrumentalists playing together, like a string ensemble or wind ensemble.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
In theater and operatic contexts, the Chorus can signify a group of performers who comment on the main action, traditionally speaking or singing together. Contrarily, Ensemble can point to the collective cast of a theatrical production, emphasizing the collaborative nature of their performance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
Chorus can also denote the harmonized voice parts sung by a group, often emphasizing unity and cohesion. Meanwhile, Ensemble can refer to the overall sound or effect achieved by a group of musicians or performers, indicating their coordinated effort and unity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
While the term Chorus is mostly affiliated with vocal performances, both in a group setting and as a repeated section in songs, Ensemble is more versatile. It can relate to a coordinated outfit or a set of complementary items, showing its diverse application beyond the realm of performances.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Theatrical Context
Performers commenting on main action
Collective cast of a production
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
Vocal Emphasis
Harmonized voice parts sung by a group
Overall sound or effect by a group of performers
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
Extended Application
Primarily vocal performances
Can refer to coordinated outfits or set of items
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
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Chorus and Ensemble Definitions
Chorus
A group of people singing together.
The chorus performed a harmonious rendition of the song.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 09, 2023
Ensemble
A set of complementary items.
The furniture ensemble enhanced the room's aesthetics.
Harlon Moss
Oct 09, 2023
Chorus
Group in drama who comment on the action.
In Greek tragedies, the chorus plays a pivotal role.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Ensemble
A group of musicians performing together.
The ensemble played a mesmerizing symphony.
Sara Rehman
Oct 09, 2023
Chorus
A group of singers who perform together, usually singing multi-part compositions with more than one singer for each part.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
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Ensemble
The entire cast of a theatrical production.
The ensemble received a standing ovation for their performance.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 09, 2023
Chorus
A group of vocalists and dancers who support the soloists and leading performers in operas, musical comedies, and revues.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Ensemble
The overall sound produced by a group.
The ensemble's harmony was impeccable.
Janet White
Oct 09, 2023
Chorus
A musical composition usually in four or more parts written for a large number of singers.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A refrain in a song, especially one in which the soloist is joined by other performers or audience members.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A solo section based on the main melody of a popular song and played by a member of the group.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Ensemble
A group of musicians, singers, dancers, or actors who perform together
An improvisational theater ensemble.
A woodwind ensemble.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A group of persons who speak or sing in unison a given part or composition in drama or poetry recitation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
An actor in Elizabethan drama who recites the prologue and epilogue to a play and sometimes comments on the action.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A group in a classical Greek drama whose songs and dances present an exposition of or, in later tradition, a disengaged commentary on the action.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
The portion of a classical Greek drama consisting of choric dance and song.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Ensemble
(collective) A group of musicians, dancers, actors, etc who perform together; e.g. the chorus of a ballet company.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A simultaneous utterance by a number of people
A chorus of jeers from the bystanders.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A simultaneous production of sound by numerous animals
The midday chorus of cicadas.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A simultaneous production of sound by numerous inanimate objects
A chorus of lawnmowers from the neighborhood's backyards.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Ensemble
(machine learning) A supervised learning algorithm combining multiple hypotheses.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
An actor who reads the prologue and epilogue of a play, and sometimes also acts as a commentator or narrator; also, a portion of a play read by this actor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A group of singers performing together; a choir; specifically, such a group singing together in a musical, an opera, etc., as distinct from the soloists; an ensemble.
The performance of the chorus was awe-inspiring and exhilarating.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
(by extension) A group of people in a performance who recite together.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Ensemble
An assemblage of parts or details (as in a work of art) considered as forming a whole
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A group of people or animals who make sounds together.
A chorus of crickets
A chorus of whiners
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
The noise or sound made by such a group.
A chorus of shouts and catcalls
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Ensemble
A coordinated outfit or look.
Her ensemble was the talk of the party.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Chorus
A piece of music, especially one in a larger work such as an opera, written to be sung by a choir in parts (for example, by sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A part of a song which is repeated between verses; a refrain.
The catchiest part of most songs is the chorus.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A group of organ pipes or organ stops intended to be played simultaneously; a compound stop; also, the sound made by such pipes or stops.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A feature or setting in electronic music that makes one instrument sound like many.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
(Christianity) A simple, often repetitive, song intended to be sung in a group during informal worship.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
To sing (a song), express (a sentiment), or recite or say (words) in chorus.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
To express concurrence with (something said by another person); to echo.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A band of singers and dancers.
The Grecian tragedy was at first nothing but a chorus of singers.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A company of persons supposed to behold what passed in the acts of a tragedy, and to sing the sentiments which the events suggested in couplets or verses between the acts; also, that which was thus sung by the chorus.
What the lofty, grave tragedians taughtIn chorus or iambic.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A composition of two or more parts, each of which is intended to be sung by a number of voices.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
Parts of a song or hymn recurring at intervals, as at the end of stanzas; also, a company of singers who join with the singer or choir in singer or choir in singing such parts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
The simultaneous of a company in any noisy demonstration; as, a Chorus of shouts and catcalls.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
A company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Chorus
The part of a song repeated after each verse.
The chorus of the song is very catchy.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 09, 2023
Chorus
Harmonized voice parts sung together.
The choir broke into a beautiful chorus.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Chorus
A simultaneous utterance by many people.
There was a chorus of approval from the audience.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
FAQs
Can Ensemble refer to actors?
Yes, it can denote the entire cast of a theatrical production.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
How is Chorus used in song structures?
It refers to a repeated section after each verse.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
Can Ensemble relate to non-performance contexts?
Yes, like a set of complementary items or a coordinated look.
Harlon Moss
Oct 22, 2023
Can Chorus mean agreement?
Yes, as in a chorus of approval from many people simultaneously.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 22, 2023
How does an Ensemble ensure harmony?
Through coordinated efforts and practice to produce a collective sound.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
Is Chorus exclusive to Western music?
No, many cultures have their form of group singing that can be termed a chorus.
Harlon Moss
Oct 22, 2023
Can Ensemble be used in dance?
Yes, it can denote a group of dancers performing together.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 22, 2023
Does Chorus always mean singing?
Primarily, but in drama, it can mean performers commenting on the action.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
How does an Ensemble differ from a solo performance?
An ensemble is collaborative, involving multiple performers, unlike a solo.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 22, 2023
Can a Chorus accompany a soloist?
Yes, often choruses back up a main singer or soloist.
Harlon Moss
Oct 22, 2023
How vital is a Chorus in songwriting?
It often serves as a memorable and catchy part of a song.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 22, 2023
Can Chorus mean a repeated refrain?
Yes, in songs, it's the part that's often repeated.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
How is Chorus used in operas?
As a group of singers who often support or comment on the main action.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 22, 2023
What makes an Ensemble stand out?
The collective talent and coordination of its members.
Janet White
Oct 22, 2023
What's the essence of an Ensemble's harmony?
The coordinated and unified efforts of its members.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
