voolavuskoori

Voolavuskoori is a term used in contemporary vocal music to describe a flowing choir texture produced by overlapping vocal lines. The word combines Estonian roots voolavus ("flow") and koori ("choir"), and it is employed to denote a singing practice in which multiple voices sustain long vowels and glide between pitches to create a continuous, seamless sound. The term may apply to performances by a solo singer creating a layered, virtuosic effect, as well as to a choir or ensemble that produces a collectively blended timbre through careful tuning and blending.

Practically, voolavuskoori involves elements of extended vocal technique: sustained vowels, legato singing, glissandi or microtonal slides, staggered entrances, and a breath-led, overlapping texture. The outcome is a continuous sonic fabric with few perceptible breaks, often valued for its timbral richness and hypnotic flow rather than text intelligibility. It can be realized by a fixed ensemble or by a group of soloists carefully coordinated in studio or live settings, with acoustic or electronic reverberation shaping the effect.

Origins and usage: The concept has emerged in discussions of experimental vocal practice in the 21st century, particularly among composers and choirs exploring timbre and process-oriented textures. While not tied to a single tradition, voolavuskoori has been documented in analyses of contemporary works and in festival programs as a descriptor for certain flow-oriented choral passages. It intersects with related ideas such as extended vocal technique, polyphony, and drone-based music, and is often contrasted with syllabic or text-driven choral writing.