THE SINGING CONDUCTOR: INTERVIEWS ON THE BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS OF CHORAL CONDUCTORS AND TEACHERS CONTINUING TO SING

It is our duty as musicians, conductors, and teachers to continue developing our teaching and musicianship. One of the ways growth can occur is by singing regularly in ensembles outside of teaching. As one balances career and personal life, continuing to sing is a choice each must make. It is through this document that one may see the relevance of pursuing opportunities to sing, as it may inform and elevate one’s teaching and conducting. Eleven interviews were conducted with elementary, high school, and collegiate teachers and conductors, only half of them still singing in an ensemble. This document is intended to provide insight about choral teachers continuing to sing as their conducting career progresses. The topics covered in the interviews include the reasons why the subjects sing or not, how singing influences their teaching, the main objectives in their teaching, and how they feel they are advocating for music and its status in the future. It is hoped that these sample interviews can serve as a basis for further research into the correlation of continuing to sing and the development of vocal music educators and conductors. Advisor: Dr. Peter Eklun