
Composers of choir music expect there to be many singers in a section so that long notes may be held for an impossible length of time or that very long phrases may go on for many measures without any breaks.
Learning how to stagger the breaths is quite a feat for most choir singers. Here are a few RULES that should be followed:
1. Never end the syllable with the finish consonants, especially "s" "t" or "k" when sneaking a breath.
2. Take a breath as silently as possible.
3. Don't breathe at the same time as your neighbor.
4. Use hairpin dynamics --- diminish your sound before the breath and come in softly after your breath.
Another technique that many choir directors promote is to take a staggered breath in the middle of a long word/note while holding the mouth in the shape of the vowel.
Many good directors will practice staggering the breaths during warm-ups before starting choir practice.
Audiences have come to expect a choir to sing impossibly long held out notes with a big crescendo at the end of showpieces. However, they may become uncomfortable if they never hear the choir take breaths at phrases. Be aware that audiences have a hard time understanding the words that choirs sing. Clean diction is better accomplished with adequate breaks for breaths and crisp consonants.