The Ultimate Guide to Choral Risers & Platforms
Choral risers and platforms are essential tools for music educators, enhancing performances, rehearsals, and competitions by providing visibility, sound projection, and organization. Whether you are leading a concert choir, show choir, or classroom ensemble, selecting the right risers can make a significant impact on your program’s success.
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In this guide, we will explore some of the most popular Wenger choral platforms and risers, including:
- Wenger Signature Risers – The industry standard for performance risers
- Wenger Tourmaster Risers – A highly portable solution for traveling choirs
- Wenger Seated Risers – Ideal for classroom use
- StageTek Staging Risers – Versatile and durable, designed for multi-use spaces
Why Invest in High-Quality Choral Platforms?
Music educators understand that proper staging enhances both student performance and audience experience. High-quality risers provide several key benefits:
- Improved Sound Projection – Elevating singers helps blend harmonies and prevent muffled tones.
- Better Visibility – Ensures all choir members and musicians are seen, enhancing performance experience.
- Safety and Durability – Wenger products are built for stability and longevity, keeping performers safe and ensuring your investment will last for years to come.
- Easy Setup and Portability – Essential for schools that use risers for multiple events or travel frequently.
- Professional Aesthetic – Creates a polished look for performances.
How Choral Risers Improve Acoustics
One of the most important advantages of using choral risers is the impact they have on acoustics. By elevating singers in a tiered formation, risers help distribute sound more evenly throughout the performance space. When singers are positioned on a flat surface, sound waves tend to be absorbed by the bodies in front of them, which can create a muffled or unbalanced sound.
Risers allow for better sound projection, ensuring that the voices from the back rows reach the audience just as clearly as those in the front. Seated risers are also beneficial for band performances, ensuring sound projection and visibility.
Additionally, risers help reduce unwanted reflections and echoes by directing sound outward rather than allowing it to be trapped in the ensemble. This improved acoustical clarity is especially beneficial in large auditoriums, gymnasiums, or other performance spaces with challenging acoustics. Choir directors often notice a more balanced blend of voices, increased resonance, and enhanced articulation when using properly designed choral risers.
Wenger Signature Risers – The Industry Standard
Wenger Signature Risers are high-quality, easy-to-use risers that can be set up by one person, providing stability and versatility for various performance setups. Ideal for performance-focused choirs, these risers provide an excellent blend of durability, safety, and ease of use.
Key Features:
- One-person setup that folds and rolls for quick and easy transport.
- Integral backrail for additional safety and stability.
- Available in three-step and four-step options to fit your specific ensemble needs.
- Durable construction and a 15-year warranty, designed for long-term use in music programs.
- Optional siderails for extra security, particularly useful for younger performers.
Best for:
- High school and collegiate choirs
- Schools needing frequent riser use
- Performance settings that require a professional appearance
Multiple Wenger Signature Risers can be used together to create a seamless, curved, or straight formation to ensure the best configuration for your ensemble.
Wenger Tourmaster Risers – The Ultimate Portable Riser
For choirs that travel or frequently change locations, the Wenger Tourmaster Risers are an essential investment. These risers provide exceptional mobility and compact storage, making them perfect for show choirs and competition groups.
Key Features:
- Lightweight yet durable construction for long-term use.
- Folds flat to reduce storage space compared to traditional risers.
- Modular design allows for extra steps, backrails, and siderails as needed.
- Transport cart enables multiple risers to be moved at once.
Best for:
- Choirs that travel to competitions and festivals
- Choirs needing a lightweight, compact storage option
- Schools that share risers between multiple locations
Wenger Seated Risers – Improved Sightlines and Stability
For daily rehearsals in a classroom setting, StageTek seated risers provide a comfortable tiered seating solution for your students with the added benefit of visibility and enhanced acoustics.
Key Features:
- Designed specifically for classrooms and rehearsal spaces, including band, orchestra, and choir.
- Provides strong, supportive seating for students.
- Works well for large ensembles that mix standing and seated performers.
- Customizable to any classroom space and expertly installed to ensure safety and durability.
Best for:
- Classrooms that need a tiered seating arrangement.
- Instrumental ensembles that benefit from an elevated platform
- Choirs that practice choreography in the classroom and need a safe, durable, surface.
StageTek Staging Platforms – Versatile and Multi-Use
The StageTek platform system provides a highly flexible solution for schools that need a tiered or seated risers for their performance space, theatrical performance stages, and adaptable platforms. Platforms can be configured in an endless number of staging setups, making them excellent for everything from Jazz bands to Show Choirs.
Key features:
- Configurable heights and layouts work for both seated and standing riser needs.
- Easy setup and storage with no tools required for adjustments.
- Durable, professional appearance suitable for concerts, musicals, show choir and more.
- Easily stored and transported on rolling carts, when not in use.
Best for:
- High school and college performing arts spaces that need flexibility in their staging setups
- Show choirs that need a platform that is safe for energetic choreography
- Schools looking for a multi-purpose performance platform that can be used for everything from graduations and assemblies to musical and theatrical performances.
Adding StageTek accessories such as backrails, stairs, and skirting can enhance the functionality and aesthetic of the riser setup. The StageTek system also includes accessories to make sure your stage is ADA compliant.
Elevate Your Choir with the Best Choral Platforms
Investing in high-quality Wenger risers can transform your choral program by improving sound, visibility, and professionalism. These risers benefit musicians in various performance spaces, including auditoriums, by enhancing visibility and ensuring safety. Whether you need durable performance risers, portable travel options, or the flexibility of StageTek platforms, Wenger offers solutions that cater to every music educator’s needs.
If you are ready to upgrade your choir risers, explore Wenger’s industry-leading options and bring your choir’s performances to the next level. If you have any questions, reach out to Wenger Corporation for expert advice on choosing the best risers for your program.
