College and Community Choir Member Experiences in a Collaborative Intergenerational Performance Project

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine and describe the experiences of college and community choir members in a collaborative intergenerational performance project. Data included an initial focus group interview with college choir participants ( n = 8), an initial focus group interview with community chorus participants ( n = 8); collaborative intergenerational performance project journals from college choir and community chorus participants ( n = 16); postproject individual interviews with each participant ( n = 16); and the teacher—researcher's personal log of collaborative intergenerational performance project interactions. According to the analysis, perceived positive outcomes of the project included participants' heightened performance experience, a better understanding of others, and no signs of an age barrier. Challenges identified were related to the importance of preparation for collaboration and issues regarding placement of singers in the ensemble.