ACDA conventions frequently include interest sessions on choral conducting gesture. Given that these sessions often feature differing schools of thought, we have sought to establish an evidence-based approach to conducting gesture by testing a few specific techniques. These empirical studies have leaned on social science research, which has noted a tendency for humans to imitate one another in a variety of direct and indirect ways. In the past several years, choral researchers have established a research base related to the effect of certain gestures on a chorister’s vocal coordination.
In this case, we studied the final release or “cutoff” gesture. Choral conductors often end a piece with a grand gesture. This flourish frequently culminates with a fisted gesture at the release that may be visually appealing for the performers and audience. However, the effect of this type of “cutoff” on the vocal production of the singers is unclear. Singers in this study performed a short melody and viewed a conductor who gave either a fisted gesture or an inhalation cue at the final release. Listeners believed the sound was different in 82% of the excerpts. Similarly, 27% of the singers felt that they sang with more vocal tension during a fisted gesture.
We hope such research will inform choral pedagogues as they consider ways to encourage efficient singer voicing. We urge you to look for other research in the area (e.g., Daugherty & Brunkan, 2013; Manternach 2012a; in press), which includes an article in the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing (Manternach, 2012b), the scientific research journal of ACDA.
(Make plans now to attend your 2016 ACDA Divisional Conference!)
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