Abstract
This chapter chronicles the development of male choral singing in the schools, churches, and communities of the United States. Particular focus is given to the relationship between choral music study in school settings and singing that occurs outside of schools and throughout the lifespan. A key factor in the persistence of males in choral activity is the experience of singing during the period of adolescent voice change. The development of theory and research about the developing male voice is presented in overview, with analysis of the influence on the current status of male singing in the United States. Several misalignments between research and reality are discussed, specifically in the areas of pedagogy, performance, practice, and gender stereotypes. The chapter concludes with suggestions from boys about how to increase male participation in choral singing.
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Freer, P.K. (2012). From Boys to Men: Male Choral Singing in the United States. In: Harrison, S., Welch, G., Adler, A. (eds) Perspectives on Males and Singing. Landscapes: the Arts, Aesthetics, and Education, vol 10. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2660-4_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2660-4_2
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