Example Speech Choir: "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
Characters:
* Narrator: Introduces the poem and sets the scene.
* Voice 1: Reads the first three stanzas, emphasizing the speaker's initial contemplation.
* Voice 2: Reads the fourth stanza, expressing regret and longing.
* Voice 3: Reads the final stanza, reflecting on the speaker's life choices.
* Chorus: A group of voices that repeat key phrases and provide a sense of echoing thought.
Scene: A forest path, two roads diverge.
(Narrator): Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
(Voice 1): Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
(Voice 2): And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
(Voice 3): I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
(Chorus) Two roads diverged, two roads diverged,
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
And that has made all the difference.
Notes:
* This is just a basic structure. You can add more voices, adjust the pacing, and use different vocal techniques to create a more dynamic and engaging performance.
* The Chorus can repeat phrases with different emotions and tones, highlighting different aspects of the poem.
* You can use props, costumes, and lighting to enhance the visual experience.
* This poem lends itself well to a dramatic reading, with voices taking turns and the Chorus amplifying the impact of the speaker's thoughts.
Remember: The key to a successful speech choir is clear articulation, careful timing, and emotional connection to the text.