Intercultural exchange and the socio-political aspects of choral singing
Methods:
By making contact with choirs, people, institutions and festivals in South Africa, participants have a chance to broaden their musical horizons, meet and collaborate intensively with others in joint workshops, performances, and concerts. During the joint singing sessions, the focus is on participation, gaining lasting impressions for their own musical practice, developmental education work, and expanding the ZHdK network.
Objective:
Experience South Africa’s diverse choral culture and enjoy an intercultural exchange with choirs, institutions and people in the choral conducting scene.
Gain insights from alternative socio-political concepts of choral singing for your own musical practice (equality, social aspects, collective vs. elitist selection, etc.)
Learn new skills in jointly run rehearsals, workshops, concerts and discussions.
Students learn to view intercultural exchange as societal and professional added value, and in the process acquire further qualifications that meet the demands of a growing European and global network.
Conclusion:
The experiences from the study trip will enable a fruitful dialogue on what constitutes stylistically suitable vocal work, voice care and voice training, and how these aspects are taught.
Moreover, the study trip offers the opportunity to understand music as a transcultural phenomenon, allowing us to tap into the diversity of different musical worlds by exploring the unknown. Equally, the focus is on gender equality and teaching a culture of peace and non-violence to make global citizenship, appreciation of cultural diversity and the contribution of culture the long-term goal. A choir is the ideal medium through which to transmit these values.