Chor

Chor is primarily the German noun for a choir. In everyday German, a Chor refers to a group of singers who perform together, typically in four or more vocal parts, and it is used in liturgical, educational, and concert contexts. The term appears in compound forms such as Kinderchor (children’s choir), Frauenchor (women’s choir), Gemischter Chor (mixed choir), and Chorleiter (conductor or choirmaster). In church settings, Chor can also denote the choir area of a church, often called the chancel or choir space (Chorraum) where singers perform near the altar.

In musicology and translation, Chor is used to describe choral works or sections within larger compositions, such as oratorios or operas, and helps distinguish vocal ensembles from orchestras or instrumental groups. The English word choir or chorus is more commonly used in general writing, while Chor appears mainly in German-language sources or discussions of German choral tradition.

Etymologically, Chor derives from the Latin chorus, via Greek χορός, with the term entering German through historical contact with Latin and Romance languages. The English cognates choir and chorus share the same root.

Beyond music, Chor may also appear as a surname or as a place-name element in various languages, though such uses are unrelated to singing. In contemporary usage, the most widely recognized sense remains the musical ensemble, with church architecture as a notable specialized meaning in German. See also: choir, chorus, choral.