Seeking a 'true' approach for directing non-notation reading choirs : a literature review

A wealth of literature exists (particularly from the USA) surrounding traditional Western choirs in which choristers can competently read musical notation. There is, however, a dearth of literature addressing choirs where the singers cannot read musical notation and how to direct such choirs. Through this chapter, I will build a theoretical framework from the literature about community choirs and choral direction to underpin my current research. Combined with literature on autodidactic learning processes, writings on the two choral direction approaches will intersect to form the basis of my research which is seeking a 'true' approach for directing non-notation reading choirs. The chapter will begin with definitions of 'community choirs'. This will be followed by literature surrounding choral direction and then self-learning of choral direction.