Dr. Jill Wilson. (2013, September). Advancing The Status Of The Treble Ensemble: Choral Educators’ Views On The Status Of Treble Choral Ensembles.

GEMS (Gender, Education, Music, And Society)

Volume 6, Number 1, September 2013

 Advancing The Status Of The Treble Ensemble:

Choral Educators’ Views On The Status Of 
Treble Choral Ensembles

Dr. Jill Wilson

© Jill Wilson 2013
Copyright Notice: The policy of GEMS is that authors will retain copyright to their materials.

Abstract: Perhaps one of the greatest challenges for secondary choral directors is to build a vocally balanced ensemble of students who have the desire to sing. Because a shift has occurred away from the popularity of male singing that dominated the early years of America, the desire to obtain nearly even numbers between the genders may mean that many girls who are able and eager may be placed in treble choirs or not included at all in order to counteract the low numbers of boys. I explored the restructuring of three choral programs in which the status of the treble ensembles had recently been elevated. While this could be considered a matter of having the appropriate voicing for a choral ensemble, it may truly be an issue with gender discrimination at its root as sections are almost always divided along gender lines. Educators must not simply rely on tradition or bow to student, parent and perhaps even community expectations, but always consider what is educationally beneficial for their students.