Choir Performance in Virtual Versus Real Rooms: The Influence of Acoustic Modality on Singers’ Performance and Perception

Fernandez C, Henrich N, Katz BFG. Choir Performance in Virtual Versus Real Rooms: The Influence of Acoustic Modality on Singers’ Performance and Perception. In: AVARIG 2026: Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality and Immersive Games. Audio Engineering Society; 2026. Paper 489. Available from: https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23336

@inproceedings{Fernandez2026_23336,
  author = {Fernandez, Charlotte and Henrich, Nathalie and Katz, Brian F.G.},
  title = {{Choir Performance in Virtual Versus Real Rooms: The Influence of Acoustic Modality on Singers’ Performance and Perception}},
  booktitle = {AVARIG 2026: Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality and Immersive Games},
  note = {Paper 489},
  year = {2026},
  month = jun,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  url = {https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23336}
}

TY  - CPAPER
TI  - Choir Performance in Virtual Versus Real Rooms: The Influence of Acoustic Modality on Singers’ Performance and Perception
AU  - Fernandez, Charlotte
AU  - Henrich, Nathalie
AU  - Katz, Brian F.G.
T2  - AVARIG 2026: Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality and Immersive Games
M1  - Paper 489
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/30
UR  - https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23336
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - The present study explores the impact of acoustic modality (real vs. virtual) on choral performance. A professional four-singer ensemble performed five different choral pieces across five acoustic conditions. Recordings were conducted both in situ, within different spaces of a church, and under corresponding virtual acoustic simulations using auralisation techniques. Acoustic and physiological data were collected using close microphones and electroglottography, while subjective perceptions were assessed through questionnaires. Although singers performed faster in the virtual acoustic condition, the overall effect of acoustics on musical performance was preserved. VAEs therefore appear suitable for qualitatively assessing tempo variations induced by acoustics. Contact Quotient (CQ) variations reflected individual adaptation patterns, while declarative data were similar across virtual and real acoustic conditions.
ER  -