Music Expressivity in High School Choirs: The Case of Three Choirs

ABSTRACT In this study the researchers explore musical expressivity in choral singing. While expressivity is multifaceted, the scope of this article is the role of the choral conductor in developing expressivity during rehearsals. The theoretical framework informed the focus of the open-ended interviews used to collect data. The purpose of the interviews was to determine how three high school choral conductors defined expressivity and also how they developed expressivity during choir rehearsals. Research findings reflect that the choral conductors have different understandings of musical expressivity. It was also found that the choral conductors teach the choir repertoire in isolation from a broad music education. Furthermore, the research findings reveal that insufficient emphasis is placed on expressive singing during rehearsals.