A Place For Everyone: Fostering Agency in Choral Rehearsals
Session Abstract: When considering what motivates singers to return to choirs day after day, how can we create a place of belonging for all singers? We must consider how we foster a safe space that is conducive to the development of creativity, agency, and skills in singers. Motivation to participate in choral ensembles is a complex issue influenced by both internal and external factors. In this session, we explore how a singer’s perception of agency, relatedness, and empathy leads to higher motivation for participation and retention in the choral ensemble.
William McLean
University of North Texas
Will McLean is a DMA student in choral conducting at the University of North Texas where he studies with Dr’s Allen Hightower, Kristina MacMullen, and Jessica Nápoles. Prior to UNT, McLean taught choir at South Salem High School (Oregon). Under his direction, choirs at South Salem performed at the National ACDA Convention and OMEA State Conference. He has also presented sessions at regional and state ACDA conferences. An advocate for the creation of new music, McLean has collaborated with numerous composers and commissioned new works. He received a master’s degree from Baylor University and studied at St. Olaf College.
Thomas Rinn
University of North Texas
Thomas Rinn, currently serves as a teaching fellow while pursuing his PhD in music education at the University of North Texas and taught high school choral music for 20 years in Texas. In addition, he serves on the staff of St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church in Richardson. Rinn holds degrees from from Florida State University and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Choirs under his direction have performed at TMEA and SWACDA. Mr. Rinn currently serves as the immediate past-president of the Texas Choral Directors Association and has served in numerous volunteer positions for ACDA, TMEA and TCDA.
