As adolescent gender identity has expanded to encompass non-binary forms of gender identity in contemporary social contexts, scholars in music education have begun to examine the music learning experiences of transgender students and the role of the music teacher in fostering an environment that is affirming to gender-diversity. Anecdotal observations of choral music practices in […]
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Still singing after all these years – A Perceptual Study of Post-menopausal Singing Voice Behaviors with Implications for Singers, Voice Teachers, and Choral Conductors
This study examined N = 23 post-menopausal singers through a questionnaire that addressed twenty-four aspects of vocal behavior, hormone therapy use/non-use, and typical singing mode, as well as other demographic information. It follows and was prompted by my 2010 doctoral dissertation, which examined N = 307 women’s voices in pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal lifespan stages. […]
“Is Something Wrong With My Daughter’s Voice?” Parental Perceptions of the Female Adolescent Voice Change
Adolescent voice change is a developmentally uncertain time for singers when the vocal anatomy undergoes significant growth. Female singers experience a distinctive set of symptoms. Vocal tone that was previously clear and pure becomes breathy and, at times, thick, husky, and hoarse (Ingram & Rice, 1962; Sipley, 1993; Vennard, 1967). Voice ranges that initially widen […]
Vocal Health During the Voice Change: Recollections and Recommendations of Collegiate Male Choral Singers
The purpose of this study was to gather the textual and visual narratives of undergraduate males about their singing experiences during the adolescent voice change. Analysis explored these students’ reasons for participation (or not) in secondary choral music, their self-perceptions as singers, and of their vocal maturation process. Much current research focuses on the attrition […]
Singing Scientifically: A Content Analysis of Choral Journal and Science-Based Discussion of the Voice
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the number of voice-related articles published in Choral Journal that included scientifically researched, evidence-based knowledge. Understanding the voice directly impacts the overall vocal health of singers. A content analysis of Choral Journal, the flagship publication of the American Choral Director’s Association, yielded 159 scientifically informed, voice-related articles […]
Teaching What We Were Taught: A Survey of Choral Music Educators on Vocal Health, Anatomy, and Pedagogy
The purpose of this investigation was to assess if prior education influenced current teaching practices of choral music educators in terms of vocal health, anatomy, and pedagogy. We utilized a four-part online questionnaire to inquire about music educator’s a) personal experience in voice education and teaching/conducting practice in b) general vocal health, c) vocal anatomy […]
