Wearing masks and face coverings helps reduce transmission of respiratory diseases. Various mask designs exist that target different populations, occupations, and environments. Here, we present evidence that a new facemask design, originally made for professional singers, offers advantages that will strongly benefit the public. Specifically, we show that with proper fitting the reusable cloth singing mask achieves overall filtering efficiencies for both exhaled expiratory aerosols and for inhaled ambient aerosols of >93%, better than surgical masks and approaching N95 respirators. We attribute the high efficiency largely to the mask design, rather than material. The mask design also provides for less inhibited mouth and jaw movement and overall lower humidity within the mask, suggesting it may provide a more palatable, high-efficiency alternative to medical-grade masks for the public.