Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Music

Supervisor

Betty Anne Younker

Abstract

This thesis discusses the use of Action Research to investigate relational composition for well-being purposes with a Canadian community children’s choir that I also co-conducted. Relational composition is a theory explaining the thinking and processes of community composers interacting at various levels of creative control with music-makers. This composing is relational because it privileges people’s well-being and enables composers to build supportive relationships with musicians of all skill levels, becoming vital community members and having transformational experiences alongside participants. Contrary to some common community music (CM) approaches, members do not always compose in relational composition. The relational aspect means that collaboration decisions are based on what approach serves the group best, which may be no, or extensive, co-creation. This research emerges from the global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and is situated within the fields of CM, choral arts, and music education. Well-being is a prominent research theme, and this study is no exception, as it is related to negative affects from pandemic disruptions as well as the need to address lockdown recovery for CM groups. Well-being, relational composition, and participation form the conceptual framework, along with the PERMA model from positive psychology, which provides a means of analyzing well-being related to participants’ composition, learning, and performance of new collaborative works. PERMA examines well-being as measured by Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Findings suggest that leaders and choristers demonstrated well-being in each of these areas from relational composition of four new pieces, which they developed together, then performed for the community. These pieces were musically delightful, well-received, and a source of immense pride and ownership, with composing collaboration overcoming any hurdles or limitations. Nevertheless, lack of composing experience, confidence, and skill; increased chorister socializing; and time issues created challenges. Leaders gave vital support to choristers and one another during a challenging time of restarting the choir, and findings continue to support a role for community composers who work in various ways, as per relational composition’s theory. However, attempting to return to choral practice norms impacted future composing for the choir, even as the choir experienced significant pandemic recovery.

Summary for Lay Audience

This study investigates relational composition for well-being purposes with a Canadian community children’s choir that I also co-conducted. Relational composition is a theory that explains the thinking and processes of community composers interacting in different ways with music-makers while creating musical materials. This composing is relational because core values include people’s well-being and having positive relationships with people of all musical skill levels. Composers become vital members of the community and experience the benefits of activities alongside participants. Contrary to common approaches to community music (CM), community members do not always compose or do all the project’s composing. The relational aspect means that decisions about collaboration and composing are based on what serves the group’s needs—which might be using a precomposed score or might involve community members undertaking all the creative work. This research emerges from the global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and is situated within the fields of CM, choral arts, and music education. Well-being is a prominent CM research goal, and this study reflects this interest, as it is related to negative affects from pandemic disruptions and the need to address recovery for CM groups from restricted activities over the pandemic years. The PERMA model from positive psychology provides a framework for analysis of well-being related to the choir’s composition, learning, and performance of these new works. Well-being was measured by examining experiences and outcomes in five areas: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The 4 leaders and 19 choristers demonstrated well-being from composition as they created exciting and interesting new repertoire collaboratively, then performed them for an enthusiastic public audience. Lack of composing experience and confidence, increased chorister socializing, and time issues created challenges, which composing leadership and input helped to overcome. The choir’s return to its normal choral practice in which they value choral excellence was another complicating factor. As a result, future composing for the choir is likely not to be a priority, despite positive well-being and pandemic recovery benefits.

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