Culturally Responsive Choral Music Education What Teachers Can Learn From Nine Students’ Experiences in Three Choirs Routledge Focus on Music Education: Culturally Responsive Teaching Series

Culturally Responsive Choral Music Education visits the classrooms of three ethnically diverse choral teacher-conductors to highlight specific examples of ways that culturally responsive teaching (CRT) can enrich choral music education.

Principles of CRT are illustrated in contrasting demographic contexts: a choir serving a sizeable immigrant Hispanic population, a choir with an African American classroom majority, and a choir comprised of students who identify with eighteen distinct ethnicities. Additionally, portraits of nine ethnically diverse students illuminate how CRT shaped their experiences as members of these choral ensembles. Practical recommendations are offered for developing a culturally responsive classroom environment.

1. Introduction: Premises of Culturally Responsive Teaching
2. Culturally Responsive Teaching in the West Side Choir
3. Culturally Responsive Teaching in the North Side Choir
4. Culturally Responsive Teaching in the South Side Choir
5. Lessons Learned From Students’ Experiences Across the Three Choirs
6. Recommendations and Future Possibilities

Julia T. Shaw is Associate Professor of Music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Her research interests include music teacher education, culturally diverse learners, urban education, and sociocultural issues in music education.