The type of voice needed demands careful thought. If he/she is a fine performer the people will listen rather than join in. I find this particularly true if a good soprano is singing. Great care should be exercised when choosing leaders. Vocally they need to be able - but their singing must never be a distraction. A good amateur voice is what you need, one that people will respect rather than listen to. A leader needs to be competent and know the music and its texts well. Uncertainty will inevitably lead to timidity in the people. A leader also needs to judge the correct volume of his or her singing. If the people are participating with confidence and dynamic certainty, it is usually wise not to lead apart perhaps for the first line of each verse. This is the ideal situation - the leader must try and become unnecessary. If the singing is poor, a strong lead will be needed.
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