Changing the World Through Choral Music

Unit for Advanced High School Choir

In this unit, my high school choir explored the works and lives of diverse composers, investigating how choral music can drive social change. Students examined artistic expression, cultural context, and the ways music communicates powerful messages.

The project was guided by the essential questions:
How are artists' identities reflected in their work?

How do artists use choral music for social change?

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End Goals

Make connections between music and purpose
Interpret and perform music in culturally informed ways
Reflect global citizenship in artistic expression

Way-in

Students brainstormed ways choral music can influence the world, supplementing their ideas with insights from TED Talks by Ysaye M. Barnwell and Arreon Harley.

Knowledge-building

Students engaged with a school-wide dictionary of terms on race and identity, completed self-directed study, and reflected on their learning.

Research and Presentation

Each student presented a composer, exploring questions such as:
- How did/does the artist identify? What aspects of their background were significant?
- What significant achievements or contributions did they make?
- How did/does the artist's identity influence their music?
- What is the ultimate impact of their work?
They also selected a piece of music by the artist that addresses social change to present to the class.

Culminating Performance

The class selected one artist’s work to perform in our spring concert, bringing their research and reflections to life through performance.

Extension

Students identified needs in their school community and collaborated to compose and record original songs that addressed those issues - using music to advocate, heal, and connect while turning reflection into action.

Project Framework

Artists to Tune Into and Inspire

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Arreon Harley

American choral director who gave a TED Talk on "How Choirs Have the Capacity to Change Lives"

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Hyo-won Woo

Korean choral composer whose works incorporate traditional and modern styles

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Ysaye M. Barnwell

American singer and composer whose TED Talk on "The Power in Vocal Communities" we explore

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1/5

Siena

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1/7

Rin

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1/4

Annette

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1/6

Lumin

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1/3

Seungjun

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1/2

Charissa

Student Research

After thoughtful discussion of the artists presented, the students chose to perform “Wanting Memories” by Ysaye M. Barnwell for our spring concert. The song’s message deeply resonated with the emotional needs of our school community during the pandemic, and its musical demands aligned beautifully with the ensemble’s strengths.

Culminating Performance

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Extension

Building on their understanding of how music can inspire social change, students reflected on the specific needs within their own school community. Working collaboratively, they composed and recorded original songs that addressed these issues, using their voices to advocate, heal, and connect. This creative extension allowed students to apply their learning in an authentic and personal way - transforming reflection into action through choral art.

Impact

Through this project, students recognized that music-making can be an act of advocacy. They built awareness of how identity shapes artistry and gained a deeper sense of global citizenship through shared performance.