Cheering together: The interactional organization of choral vocalizations

Abstract

This study demonstrates how cheering together in and as a choir is an interactional accomplishment in co-present video gaming activities. The relevance of producing choral vocalizations is established by participants collectively and simultaneously orienting to particular events in video games as cheerables. Vocalizations are often individually initiated and elongated, and the joining of other persons transforms these vocalizations into collective cheering. The theatrical movements of players establish a particular relevance for participants to engage in choral vocalizations. By way of establishing, sustaining, modifying and terminating their choral vocalizations in interaction, the choirs manifest their shared treatments of the cheerables in video gaming interactions.