How can a choir include soloists during a choral performance?

In choral music, soloists can be integrated into a performance in several ways to enhance the texture and expression of a work. A choir may contain capable soloists who perform specific passages as a group without the choir, or they may sing alongside the choir, which serves as a background.1

This approach is often compared to the orchestral concerto grosso, where a small group of soloists alternates or combines with the main body of performers. Historical and compositional examples include:1

• Liturgical and Formal Works: In the 15th-century mass, sections such as the Christe Eleison or Benedictus were frequently assigned to soloists within the choir. Similarly, The Eton Choirbook motets use specific notation to differentiate between sections intended for soloists and those for the full choir.1
• Symphonic Integration: Composers like Gustav Mahler utilized soloists alongside massed voices and orchestral accompaniment to create complex, multi-layered effects, such as in his Symphony No. 2 and Symphony No. 8.12
• Versatility: This technique allows for a dynamic contrast between personal, individual expression and the collective power of the choir.1