Choral Journal Preview – A Focus on Multigenerational Choral Singing

This special Choral Journal focus issue contains articles and columns that follow our conference theme, “A Life of Song.”

Carol Beynon, Associate Professor in Music Education at the University of Western Ontario, shares three principles for establishing an intergenerational choir, sharing insight and research from the funded project Advanced Interdisciplinary Research in Singing (AIRS). From rationale for the program, curriculum, funding, participation, and lessons learned, readers will be inspired by the work of our colleagues in North America.

Victoria Meredith, also a professor of choral music from Canada, writes specifically about igniting senior voices in multigenerational choirs. This article contains information on multigenerational choral repertoire selection guidelines and rehearsal strategies, the impact of vocal changes on repertoire choices, and identifying musical traits that may present vocal challenges to senior singers.

Karen Brunssen’s article “One Voice, One Life” is a reprint from VOICEPrints, the scholarly journal of the New York Singing Teachers’ Association and has been revised for Choral Journal. As the introduction states, “This article will present a look at various age-related mutations of the evolving voice in relationship to respiration, vibration, and resonance.”

Continuing on the topic of “A Life of Song,” John Hughes and Jon Hurty share considerations for the collegiate-based town and gown choir. Readers will appreciate the author’s case study, in which five conductors of collegiate-based multigenerational choirs describe their respective ensembles.

Finally, Ryan Luhrs shares his dissertation research on intergroup contact theory. This is essentially research behind the question: “Can bringing people together intentionally around song be an effective prescription in the effort to build bridges between people of social groups who don’t otherwise interact in meaningful ways?” Tim Sharp and Kevin Fenton include sections on two programs they are involved in—Conductors Without Borders and A Voice for Peace, respectively—that model the “science” Ryan shares and are a practical testament to how intergroup contact theory can and does function in the twenty-first century.

The Choral Journal is mailed to all active, retired, and life members of ACDA. You can also join ACDA for $45 as an associate member and receive access to read the Choral Journal online!