Finding a Voice: Why Boys (Don’t) Sing

Authors

  • André-Louis Heywood Saint John’s University
  • Carol Benyon University of Western Ontario

Abstract

While the question “Why do boys stop singing?” has been extensively studied, this paper asks the specific question "Why do males keep singing?" Interviews were conducted with 18 boys and men ranging from early adolescence to working adults. From the adult group, focus was on two men who had stopped singing but had returned to it after a number of years as well as two men who had remained singing throughout their lives. Among the younger males, the focus was on boys currently experiencing a voice change, boys with changed voices who had remained singing through the voice change, male singers studying music at university, and finally young men in other fields of university study who remain actively involved in choral music. The results suggest that, in spite of the sociological, psychological, and physiological factors that hinder male choral involvement, boys who continue to sing do so for definite reasons. The findings of this study led the authors to develop a conceptual framework that may support the increased, sustained involvement of males in singing.

Author Biographies

André-Louis Heywood, Saint John’s University

ANDRÉ-LEWIS HEYWOOD recently completed a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at the Don Wright Faculty of Music of the University of Western Ontario. As an undergraduate student at UWO, André-Lewis achieved degrees in both Biochemistry and Music Education, winning numerous awards for academic achievement, vocal performance and conducting. André-Lewis has served as conductor of the UWO Choir, assistant conductor of the UWO Singers, Thames Scholars and Amabile Boys Choir, and is the founder and artistic director of the Conspirato Chamber Singers. This summer, André-Lewis will assume his new post as artistic director of the St. John's Boys' Choir in Minnesota.

Carol Benyon, University of Western Ontario

CAROL BEYNON is the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, an associate professor of music education at the Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, and founding co-artistic director of the Amabile Boys' and Men's' Choirs of London, Canada. She is a specialist in vocal and choral development specializing in unchanged and changed male voices. She serves as a clinician and adjudicator for music festivals in Canada and around the world. Carol is a published author with articles in several scholarly journals, a book published by Pearson Canada, entitled Learning to Teach, and a second edited publication in review entitled, Music Education in Canada: What is the State of the Art?. She has received several awards for outstanding teaching from the University Student Council. and this year was named the Woman of Excellence in Arts, Culture and Heritage 2007 for London Ontario and community.

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Published

2013-10-29

Issue

Vol. 6 (2007): The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium VI

Section

Articles