Music achievements of being an English chorister

Abstract This study aims to highlight the uniqueness of the English choristers’ education, what special musical skills it passes on to youngsters and how these may help them in later life. It investigates the perceptions of 30 ex-choristers who attended a broad selection of English choir schools bet...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of music education 2021-11, Vol.38 (3), p.249-263
Main Authors: Dong, Lan, Kokotsaki, Dimitra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Auditions
Boys
Children & youth
Choirs
Churches
Educational Environment
Elementary Education
Elementary School Students
Elementary Schools
Environmental Influences
Families & family life
Family Involvement
Family Relationship
Fees & charges
Females
Girls
Government School Relationship
High Achievement
Interpersonal Competence
Males
Music
Pandemics
Parents
Parents & parenting
Private Schools
Puberty
Religion
Schools
Singing
Skills
Social Attitudes
Speech Impairments
Voice Disorders
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract This study aims to highlight the uniqueness of the English choristers’ education, what special musical skills it passes on to youngsters and how these may help them in later life. It investigates the perceptions of 30 ex-choristers who attended a broad selection of English choir schools between 1940 and 2010 using semi-structured interviews. The findings showed that music training of choristers forms a solid foundation to enhance the development of an all-round musicianship. In particular, it gives them significant sight-reading skills due to the huge volume of rehearsals and public performances. Although in most cases their instrumental skills are not sufficient for them to become professional soloists in their instrument, many ex-choristers found it relatively easy to achieve a music scholarship or pursue a music career if they wanted. Many of them retained a passion for music which was not necessarily limited to choral singing. The findings are considered in relation to the possible reasons for this, and the implications for education.
ISSN:0265-0517
1469-2104
DOI:10.1017/S026505172100019X