How does a mixed choir differ from a male choir and a boys’ choir?

In the context of choral music, choirs are distinguished primarily by the composition of their vocal parts:

• Mixed Choir: This ensemble is typically composed of both women and men, allowing for a full range of vocal parts across different registers.1
• Male Choir: These groups consist either of men and boys or are composed entirely of adult men. In many traditions, particularly in England, adult men may sing the alto part using falsetto, a technique where the vocal cords vibrate in a shorter length to reach higher registers.12
• Boys’ Choir: In the United States, this term is specifically applied to choirs where the treble parts are performed by boys rather than women. Historically, such choirs have played a significant role in liturgical music, where boys were trained by a precentor to participate in both singing and church services.1

While these groups vary in their makeup, all function as a body of singers with more than one voice to a part.1