The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts: Choral Experiences of Singers and Conductors

Abstract

Music making provides an opportunity for human groups to create and participate in shared experiences. However, little is known on why people sing in choirs. Previous literature on choir as a form of group music making has been limited to populations with adverse life circumstances, and, as such, findings are varied and inconsistent. Within the Psychology of Music, research has focused on psychological benefits for members of choirs, specifically from unique and disadvantaged groups. The present study aims to explore the experience of middle-class choristers and their conductors to add to emerging findings of psychological and social outcomes from choir. Two choirs, one non-professional and one professional, were recruited using purposive sampling methods. A total of 21 participants took part in semistructured interviews; 18 singers, and 3 conductors. The first 14 interviews were transcribed verbatim, and all remaining interviews were partially transcribed. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013) identified three broad categories of Individual Benefits, Group Benefits, and the Conductor’s Role under which themes were grouped. Eleven main themes were identified and discussed. Implications of the findings are of potential interest to choir conductors, music educators, or other community groups. Future research could include different age groups and choirs with less experience.