Directing and Leading a Choral Community

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores how a choral director leads. The first half examines the personal and organizational aspects of directing and leading a choral community, and the second focuses specifically on leading music-making. The connected artistic leader leads from the center. They build coalitions, using their two-way relationships to facilitate collaborative in-the-moment interactions in and around the music-making, with singers, audiences, stakeholders, and other leaders. They are managed in ways that challenge them and enable them to grow as artists. They offer fellowship, empowerment, and a safer space to singers of all social and economic backgrounds, in both the social practices and the musical practices of the group. In directing non-classical styles and, for example, working with rhythm sections, the same ability to collaborate, stand back and let others lead in teams leads to authentic and empowering music-making, and can bring new voices to the table.