CHALLENGES IN CHORAL CONDUCTING A CASE STUDY IN EXQUISITE CHOIR

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT  

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

1.2       Statement of the problem

1.3       Justification for the Study

1.4       Aims / Objectives

1.5       Significance of the Study

1.6       Scope of the Study

1.7       Methodology

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       Structure of Choirs

2.2       Categories of choirs

2.3       The Origin and Role of Choir

2.4       Theoretical Framework

2.5       Empirical Review

CHAPTER THREE: THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHOIRS IN AFRICA

3.1       Introduction

3.2       Background Account of its Origin

3.3       The Motivation and Benefit Factor

3.4       The Formation of the Choirs

3.5       Conflict of Power/Authority

3.6       Ownership Right

3.7       Some other Reasons for the Breakaway

CHAPTER FOUR: CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERFORMANCE PRACTICE/STYLES OF CHOIRS AFRICA

4.1       Introduction

4.2       SOME COMMON PRACTICES OF THE CHOIRS

4.3       Performance Practice

4.4       Technology (Other musical Equipment)

4.5       The Socio-Economic Impact of Choirs

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1       Summary

5.2       Conclusions

5.3       Recommendations

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ABSTRACT

The primary focus of this study is to examine the challenges in choral conducting including their development and contributions in Africa. The research seeks to attempt an in-depth study at the concept of the choir as an institution which came to the limelight of choral music industry about three decades ago. The acceptance of this choir system due to its economic boom in recent times has gained a maximum popularity as well as provided an avenue for both professional and unprofessional musicians but has not received much scholarly attention.

The purpose of the study is to trace the historical events that necessitated the formation of choirs and delve into their development and contributions to the socio-economic impart with the specific attention on motivation of the formation, conflict management and the performance practices/styles. The research methodology is primary based on fieldwork which includes discussion, interviews, participant observation during rehearsals sessions and performances, library research, journals and recordings of some of the works performed by the choirs.

The study discovered that the community choirs and all others when properly run will create employment to its members and become an asset to the host community and the nation as a whole in several ways. Choir system also provides an avenue to unearth and develop the musical prowess of the youth. It is therefore recommended that every community, institution, government agency and organization should be encouraged to form a choir or sponsor the existing ones since they help to address and solve some of the unemployment issues in the country.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Music Fifth Edition (2007) by Kennedy and Kennedy defines a choir or chorus as a mixed voice choir (or chorus) which is one of both women and men. A male voice choir is (usually) of men only, but may be of boys and men. A double  choir is one arranged in two equal and complete bodies, with a view not merely to singing in eight parts but also to responsive effects. Chorus tends to be used for secular bodies; there may be many exceptions (Kennedy and Kennedy 2007: 145). According to Crowley, his article published in 2012 speculates that;

There is a risk that in using choirs for everything from helping fragmented communities to stress relief, we drag them down to the level of the mundane. Choirs have been with us a long time. They have their origins in Greek Tragedy and the Italian Renaissance. Fifty years ago they were commonplace in our schools, workplaces and social organizations, but until recently most of us had come to associate them with Christmas concerts and village halls.

In addition, he explains that, though they are making a spectacular comeback like the growth of book clubs, debating societies and various specialist interest groups, choirs have benefitted from a renewed interest in communal activities. New choirs are popping up around the country. Friends and workmates are getting together, forming their own groups or joining existing choirs in greater numbers. Organizations and institutions are helping ordinary members of the public find their voice for the first time.

Crowley (2015) in his article continues to argue that, choirs have moral dimension, which involves oneself and others in choral and music societies. This is generally seen as a form of self-improvement, and as a means of keeping the lower orders out of the pub and out of political intrigue. No matter how their social function has changed over the last few hundred years, there has always been a spiritual or metaphysical dimension to choirs. Whether it is reaching up to God, the act of making music for its own sake, or simply the immersive, almost magical experience of singing in harmony with others, choral music has the power to lift us up above our individual, everyday lives.

The concept of the choir system as an institution in Africa gained the publicity in the choral music industry about three decades ago and had since met the admiration and approval of the Africaian populace, particularly the youth. The upsurge of these choirs with its dynamics of processes and development in most instances emanate from power and conflicts, construction of individual and group identities, ownership rights, financial and others are some of the challenges that reared their heads in the existing group as a result of members’ interaction and interrelation. These conflicts and confusions which occur within the groups or choirs end up in the breakaway of some members to join or form new groups.

CHALLENGES IN CHORAL CONDUCTING A CASE STUDY IN EXQUISITE CHOIR