Amateur choral singing and its implications for the emotional sphere of adult life – a case study

ABSTRACT

This research note aims to address the lack of research that focuses on the significance of amateur choral singing in the emotional sphere of adult life from an individual’s perspective and over a longer period. The majority of the published research results concerning amateur choral singing refer to choristers as a community; there is a lack of in-depth studies focused on the individual involved in this type of activity. The objective of the study was to identify the ways in which the amateur performance of art may influence the emotional sphere of an individual’s life over many years. The research problem was formulated as the following question: What possible consequences for the emotional sphere of life result from an individual’s practising choral singing? The single case study was chosen as the most appropriate method for answering this question. The respondent was a member of an amateur choir in Cracow, Poland. The data were gathered by means of a semi-structured, in-depth interview. The study conducted provides important insights into the significance of amateur group singing in the emotional sphere of an adult. It leads to the conclusion that amateur choral singing can significantly improve the quality of life of an adult.

KEYWORDS:

• Choral singing
• serious leisure
• positive emotions
• adults
• case study
• emotional sphere of life

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aleksandra Litawa

Aleksandra Litawa, PhD is an adjunct at the Faculty of Pedagogy, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Poland. Her research focuses on adult participation in culture. Most recently, she is interested in understanding how non-professional practice of art can influence human’s life.