The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how undergraduate- and graduate-level choristers perceived the influence of adolescent female voice change on their singing experiences since the age of 11 years old. Data included individual and focus group interviews with 17 female collegiate choral singers enrolled in one of two women's…

The school shooting in Parkland, Fla., in February 2018 led many students to engage in walkouts and other protests during the school day. Some schools supported their actions, while others disciplined students who participated. Alan Singer considers these schools' responses and explains that the social studies standards in many states encourage…

Many choral teacher-conductors and voice professionals utilize semioccluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises (e.g., lip trills, straw phonation) in their classrooms or studios. Research with individual singers has indicated that these techniques may increase "vocal economy," boosting acoustic output while reducing singer effort. Recently,…

The chapters and essays in this book are drawn from the 1988 edition of "Play as a Medium for Learning and Development." The first chapter, "The Challenge of Educational Play," by Bernard Spodek and Olivia N. Saracho, is followed by two essays: (1) "Play and the Origin of Species," (Michael J. Ellis); and (2)…

Based on narratives on six choral conductors' unfolding careers, the article investigates significant moments in professional trajectories -- "turning points" -- and how these shaped ongoing practices. The empirical material comprises interviews with conductors that represent different pre-conducting platforms -- musicologist, music…

Choral configuration, an umbrella term that refers to acoustical placement, formation, or spacing among singers, may cause noticeable transformations to the sound of a choir and the vocal production of ensemble members. Researchers have sought to discover how and to what extent these variables affect the choral sound. The purpose of this article…

The beauty of the sound is not only due to advanced singing voice but also depends on breathing techniques. This paper aims to study knowledge about the physiology of breathing and singing, including the effectiveness of conscious control in vocal training and innovative technologies. The authors used observation methods to achieve this goal. They…

Chinese Dongbei Dagu vocal songs, a traditional genre hailing from Northeast China's Dongbei region, possess a rich history spanning over two centuries, distinguished by their unique combination of rhythmic speech-like delivery and melodic elements. The objective of this study is to investigate the fostering of literacy through the transmission of…

This article explores the triumphs and tensions inherent in coaching adolescent male singers, particularly when blending skill-building and performance preparation.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain insight into experiences of adults who expressed personal discomfort with singing, either alone or when others might hear them. Singing agency in music learning, one's belief in one's own capacity to sing aloud, served as the guiding lens for the study. Narrative analysis of interview data,…

Straightforward and engaging in style, this book presents 10 essays that provide concrete, step-by-step examples of how to conduct studies of the impact of television on behavior from quantitative perspectives, qualitative perspectives, and an integrated approach, making the volume useful for both undergraduate and graduate students. Its…

Indigenous languages in Taiwan are experiencing various degrees of language endangerment. Reversing language shift, however, faces difficulties due to the minority status of the languages. This study identifies two Indigenous singer-songwriters who released popular music sung in their endangered Indigenous languages as micro-level language…

Elite motor skill performance is a highly-variable, complex phenomenon that is regularly observed and examined globally in various contexts such as sporting events like the Olympic games or professional contests, concert halls featuring accomplished musicians and singers, or sold-out venues that feature comedians or motivational speakers. Many…

Over the past century, American schools have been the focus of researchers and educators seeking to improve the education of the country's children. Few studies, though, have examined what the schools--their physical presence and the changes within them--have meant to the students who attended those schools (Currens 2017; Kilinc and Burlbaw 2011;…

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activation of singers and instrumentalists while performing simple vocal exercises. Volunteer participants (N = 28) were undergraduate music majors and minors, with an equal number being vocalists and instrumentalists. Participants performed five vowel sounds (ah, eh, ee, oh, oo), while…