Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5520-2919
Date Available
12-2-2025
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
College
Fine Arts
Department/School/Program
Music
Faculty
Jefferson Johnson
Faculty
Martina Vasil
Abstract
A traditional choir relies on the interest and participation of the population in communal singing. However, drawing willing participants into a traditional choir program can often prove challenging to music educators, community choir directors, and leaders of religious music programs. One of the most prevalent informal singing groups in the USA is Sacred Harp. Sacred Harp “singings” have been around since the early years of The Sacred Harp itself. These singings occur regularly in multiple locations across the country and around the world. These events have an open atmosphere and, despite the mostly Christian material, have no expectation of a certain belief system. There are also newly developed informal choral gatherings that have different approaches to providing people with an outlet for singing. Beer Choir is an organization that has unique methods for encouraging people to engage with communal singing and appeals to a wide audience. This group was founded in 2015 by composer/musician Michael Engelhardt in St. Louis, MO. The goal of this monograph is to uncover what practices or theories are at work within these two types of gatherings that could be used to help make traditional choirs more attractive to and enjoyable for participants.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.542
Recommended Citation
Powell, Christopher, "A Comparison of Informal Choral Singing Experiences" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Music. 280.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/280
