I have a little volume but they have difficulty to hear me at the back row

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I was wondering whether some of you singers have the same problem as I do. I sing classical and sacred and unlike popular we do not use a microphone so we have to make sure that the whole audience can hear me. But no matter what I do, I cannot get the ones at the back to hear me. I have tried raising my voice but to me it sounds like I am shout singing. The nearest vocal coach here or voice teacher is either downtown about ten miles or about 2 or 3 miles away, too far to walk and not far enough for the bus and our bus fares are quite high, not counting the lessons. And I never went to University - where they do have singing courses. So what do you classical singers do to get volume? Is it to do with raising the soft palette and how can you tell if they can hear you?