Transforming Choral Singing

Abstract

Abstract Transforming Choral Singing: An Activist’s Guide for Choir Directors argues that choral singing is ripe for change. It proposes four main principles that should guide its goals, musical practices, and social practices. These are connection, impact, social justice, and stylistic openness. Together, these principles offer a provocative and contemporary paradigm shift, grounded in the idea of what choral singing is for, and how it functions in the world. This paradigm shift clears away notions of canon, and enables a largely white, older, cisgender, straight-acting, ableist, and neurotypical field, to become more equitable and inclusive. It has profound implications for why we sing, what we sing, how we sing, and how choral directors should conduct, teach, rehearse, and lead a choral community. The main body of the book is in nine chapters, covering mission, vocal sound, rhythm and groove, improvising, programming, conducting and leading a choral community, teaching and learning, and the daily practice of equity and inclusion. Each chapter consists of an opening text that explains how the four principles can be applied in that area, and a second section that demonstrates their application through a lively mix of practical workshops, tips, and suggestions, that are applicable in school, college, church, and community choir contexts. Offering a new direction of travel, the book closes with a series of calls to action, and lays out a potentially transforming “activist” vision for the whole field, which conceives of all choral singing primarily as a powerful catalyst for musical and social change.