Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-116).

This diploma thesis is addressing the "National Performance of the Children's Choirs" in former Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic. It aims to map its beginnings in the early 1990s and follows its subsequent course and changes, primarily from an administrative viewpoint. Special chapters focus on propositions and repertoire of the attending choirs; index of the repertoire is attached as a supplement. Key words children's choirs, parade, festival, choirmaster, children's choir compositions

akKOORd, a community choir in the relatively small southern region of the Overberg, was formed in 2006, and although the choir has only a brief history, its spirit, activities, and concerts have inspired and touched many people. This qualitative study pays attention to aspects of the choir’s history, its performance practice and of the “web” of community members connected to and involved in its activities. Through interviews and personal notes this in-depth study provides a “micronarrative” of this choir within the “web” of the Overberg community itself. It aims to not only interpret this narrative with regard to the meaning behind actions and their symbolic importance in society, but also to explore its relevance in the broader context of current South African cultural discourse. During this research it became evident that policy makers and potential funders regard this predominantly white choir with its Western repertoire as a form of undesirable exclusivity and elitism. This study opposes such a point of view, contending instead that elitism in the form of excellence has the power to defy barriers of social standing and ethnicity, and to unite people through a collective sense of ownership.

The purpose of this study was to confirm the necessity of a financial resource guide for beginning secondary choral directors in Texas. Budgetary information was gathered through an on-line survey addressing the financial knowledge of 25 participants made up of choral directors, college professors, fine arts directors and student teachers. Further information was gathered from college course guides, music periodicals and college textbooks. From the gathered survey data, a definite need for better financial education was identified. Collected data also demonstrated the necessity for additional courses to be added to the college curriculum with expanded literature on budgeting. Recommended college courses, as well as a calendar time line, Web sites for on-line music software, fundraising tips and budget proposals are also included resources.

In this qualitative study the researcher investigates how school choir competitions in South Africa contribute to creating platforms for social cohesion. The study examines the experiences of conductors and adjudicators in two main South African school choir competitions, namely the ATKV-Applous and ABC Motsepe (previously known as SASCE). This study was inspired by the contribution of the rising choral music platform in post-apartheid South Africa to national regeneration from tensions created by past disparities and how choral music contributes to social cohesion in society. Phenomenology is used to investigate the experiences of conductors and adjudicators and whether participation in choral competitions contributed to advancing social cohesion in a transforming South Africa. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews, the review of documents and the analysis of journal notes taken during the study. The Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) was applied as framework to contextualise deliberate reflection involving increased social knowledge and openness among respondents. In this study, choir conductors and adjudicators reflected on their experiences in choir competitions and how cohesion could be achieved through choir competitions. From the study the researcher concluded that competitive platforms such as choir competitions provide an opportunity for role players to test their strength as individuals and as part of a team. The study found that, regardless of many challenges hindering social cohesion, choral music competitions offer an environment for bringing people closer and establishing harmonious collaboration. Learning from others, sharing and reciprocating experiences lead to new partnerships that promote social cohesion. However, the conditions set out in the rules and policy requirements of the competitions could inhibit social cohesion by exclusion and conditions that may hinder interest. Although many studies focus on the value of choral activities and its contribution to social cohesion, this study fills the gap of exploring the role of choir competitions in fostering social cohesion. Recommendations include the need to foster an awareness of the role of school choir activities, which includes the selection of music, in encouraging nation-building. Furthermore, school choir competition policy should include clearer guidelines on social cohesion. It is recommended that training opportunities for conductors and adjudicators should be expanded and implemented to include musical development, but also focus on fostering a sensitivity to the complexity of cultural diversity and the power of choral activities to enhance nation-building and social cohesion in South Africa. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / pt2021 / Humanities Education / PhD / Unrestricted

This doctoral thesis is the result of the experience, continuous practice and day to day work as head of infant and youth choirs that the candidate has developed for over more than thirty years. The motivation, the concerns and the questions formulated with regards to choral singing, have underpinned this research. The thesis has focused on the learning of values, habits and competences in order to demonstrate that singing in an infant or youth choir is educational and goes far beyond the mere act of singing in a choir. We can therefore state that education is continuous, it never comes to an end and, furthermore, it unfolds in divergent ways. In summary to show that singing in an infant or youth choir is educational in the widest possible sense. / La tesi doctoral que presentem és fruit de l’experiència, de la pràctica continuada i de la tasca del dia a dia al capdavant de cors infantils i juvenils, per part de l’autora, al llarg de més de trenta anys. La motivació, la preocupació i els interrogants formulats entorn al cant coral han estat el mòbil de la present investigació. Hem centrat el tema en l’educació en valors, hàbits i competències per arribar a demostrar que cantar en una coral infantil o juvenil és un fet educatiu en aquests aspectes i que va molt més enllà de l’acte de cantar en una coral, ja que podem afirmar que l’educació és continuada, no s’acaba mai i, a més, es realitza en espiral. En definitiva, vol demostrar que cantar en una coral infantil o juvenil és un fet educatiu en el sentit més ampli.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between seventh, tenth, and twelfth graders' participation in school choir and their perceived levels of self-concept and social support. The problems of the study were to determine (1) if there were significant differences in perceived self-concept and social support levels of choir members and non-music students, and (2) if there were significant changes in self-concept and social support of choir members from grades seven to ten to twelve. A secondary concern was school activity involvement, to guard against attributing significant differences of self-concept and social support to choir participation alone.

Česká Lípa is a district seat located in the Liberec region. It had served as an important traffic junction since the Middle Ages because of its situation near the German and Polish borders. Thus, cultural customs and traditions of neighbouring countries and especially of the German majority had played a significant role in cultural events in the town and its surroundings. After both the World War I and the World War II, old residents and also new incomers endeavoured to re-establish or build a new background for the town's social life. Despite the fact that the majority of the post-war period was affected by the communist regime, the citizens set up clubs, organized competitions or festivals and by doing so, in many cases, they unknowingly built traditions that have been preserved till present days and are living inspiration for new generations of Česká Lípa inhabitants. Both the work of our ancestors and their legacy is extremely valuable cultural heritage. Due to the limited range of the diploma thesis and the author's specialization, this thesis focuses particularly on musical institutes and choirs in the region Česká Lípa. Unfortunately, the extant materials do not cover all musical activities, ensembles, personalities and events related to them since the World War II. It is worth mentioning...

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes abstract and vita. "November 2006" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-178).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes final project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-178, 37-44).