Absolutely not. In fact, the opposite is normal.

Symphony orchestras play sharper as the concert progresses. The Haynes Flute Co. has documentation on this effect. When you order one of their $20K–$80,000 (and up) flutes, you specify how sharp you expect it to play and then adjust down at the beginning of the evening. Chamber ensembles are far less likely to do this as each player can hear all the others and the keyboard if present.

I’ve been directing choirs since 1969. Some are more in tune than others. If I had to generalize, the bigger they are, the flatter they sing. Hall acoustics have as much to do with this as anything else.

16-20 well trained choristers is about as large an ensemble as I have ever heard sing acapella with near-perfect intonation.

In my first orchestra holding a bass chair, I learned about ensemble intonation: If I hear the other basses but not myself, I’m in tune but the second I hear myself clearly, I’m not anymore. I discovered that to be true as a choral singer as well and train my singers accordingly.

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