Community choirs : secular gatherings, holy ground

Abstract

“Community Choirs: Secular Gathering, Holy Ground” is a phenomenological study that examines the how the experience of singing in a community choir influences one’s spirituality. While singing together in voice and song is an ancient practice often found in worship services of different faith traditions, there is a recent phenomenon that sees people of all ages participating in community choirs that seem to be popping up all over our communities. Although singing chorally together might have been traditionally reserved for Sunday morning worship, it is now trendy to sing in a choir of one’s own choosing. Participants selected were from two community choirs who have the lived common experience of singing in a community choir. These choirs have no particular reason to gather except for the love of singing. Four people from each choir were interviewed and the data from these interviews were analyzed. This study uses the doctrine of the Incarnation and a theology of beauty as a theological framework. Several themes related to spirituality have emerged such as struggle, purpose, and transcendence. Given the growing trend of community choirs, this study also casts a light on implications for the church, the practice of ministry, and the role of ministers as public theologians.