AIRS 3rd Annual Conference: 2011
Title: Crisis and Curriculum: A Philosophical Examination of Recent Literature on Male Choral Singing
Authors: Jason Noble (The University of Western Ontario), Carol Beynon (The University of Western
Ontario)
Presentation format: Short oral
Sub-themes: 2.2
Introduction
The word “crisis” is frequently used to describe the state of male participation in choral singing: Weston
Noble has remarked that only 7% of the world’s singers are male, and the numbers have been in decline for
over a century. Among the many topics addressed in vast body of literature on choral pedagogy published
in the last decade, male choral singing is the most intensively pursued area of research. The widespread
absence of males in choirs is perceived as having detrimental effects for the males to whom the great
benefits of choral singing are denied, for the tradition of choral music and for society as a whole. Two
problems perceived to be unique to males, the dramatic voice change experienced during adolescence and
the social barrier of hegemonic masculinity, are cited as sources of the “problem of the missing males.
“Proposed solutions have tended to focus on organizational structure, repertoire selection, sound pedagogy
and the creation of an inclusive atmosphere. However, in spite of the concerted efforts of researchers and
the choral profession, the situation has not appreciably improved. In this paper, we examine the literature to
explore this apparent disconnect between theory and practice. Drawing on the work of Ornstein and
Hunkins we propose that a confusion of philosophical orientations may be at the root of the problem. Since
effecting a curriculum of social change and personal development is the stated goal of the literature, a
philosophy of progressivism and reconstructionism should be embraced and expounded. In its current state,
however, we feel that the literature does not demonstrate a conscious consideration of curriculum
philosophy, and as a result perpetuates elements of perennialist and essentialist thinking that inadvertently
facilitate the cultural hegemony that impedes males from singing in choir.
Bio
Jason Noble, is a composer, arranger, choir director, examiner, singer, pianist and organist. He is a PhD
candidate at McGill University, and holds a MMus in composition from The University of Western Ontario
and honours degrees in music and philosophy from Memorial University of Newfoundland. His teachers
have included Dr. Omar Daniel and Prof. Clifford Crawley. Jason has composed for many of Canada's
finest ensembles including Lady Cove, Newman Sound, Shallaway, Amabile Choirs of London,
Soundstreams, Esprit Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
His pieces have been featured on CBC and in concerts across Canada, the United States and Europe. His
collection of student piano music 'Sunny Skies and Dragonflies' is published by The Frederick Harris
Music Company, and his children's audio book The Stupendous Adventure of Gregory Green' is published
by Boulder Publications. Jason's many years as a chorister and choral composer give him personal insight
into the subject of this presentation.